About Alresford

ALRESFORD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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What's New

This Alresford web site celebrated its fifth anniversary this November. From small beginings it is now receiving almost a quarter of a million hits per month on a regular basis. To make sure your business or organisation is featured contact or call Roy Gentry on 01962 733893.

A history and description of the Town's Coat of Arms has been added.

A gallery of old photographs has been added - can you contribute for the future?

This web site is now regularly receiving in excess of 200,000 hits and 5000 visitors per month - well over a million hits a year.

Business events section added - Chamber Members can publicise their marketing and promotional activities here.

New Alresford Town Council Newsletter published here

The Chamber is now able to offer members e-mail addresses with the suffix ( more )

New page added about the Alresford Conservation Area.

The recently published Alresford Action Plan - "A plan by the community for the community". has recently been published and is reproduced here. Your comments would be welcome.

List of Playgroups added.

All e-mail addresses now encrypted to avoid unwanted "spam".

Picture Galleries added. These galleries will contain pictures deleted from the main pages or general pictures of or about Alresford.

This site has not only been created for first time visitors to Alresford and the surrounding district, but also for residents, to provide information on local attractions, services, businesses, clubs and societies. We would welcome your on local issues.

This site is designed to be fully accessible but if anybody has difficulty in this regard we would appreciate a note outlining the problem. Also those visitors who have information on the site please check to make sure the information is up to date. Please us with any changes. Netscape info.

Shops

Alresford is a special place to shop - Broad Street has a wonderful assortment of shops selling gifts, china, clothes and home accessories wher bargains abound. Don't miss Bakehouse Yard, under the arch by Tiffins Tea Shop in West Street, where the Olive Grove will be presenting gift selections. Also visit the Broad Street Arcade, just past Lawrence Oxley's Book Shop in Broad Street, where you can enjoy hot chocolate and pastries at The Courtyard Tea Rooms. And don't forget East Street where you will find The Long Barn selling contemporary gifts and accessories.

New Alresford Town Trust

There is a vacancy for a trustee to this important, historic, honorary appointment.
If you have the interest of the Town at heart, and the energy to get involved, please send your details to the Trust Clerk, Frances Cowan c/o Arlebury Park, Alresford, SO24 9EP or

Mobile Police Station
Beat Surgery

The Mobile Police Station is once again visiting Alresford and the outlying villages until the middle of next year. Visits will now be on Saturdays as set out in the schedule.
You can talk to your Police Community Support Officers and raise any problems or concerns you have at the weekly Beat Surgery. This has now been stopped through lack of interest but the Police Station in Station Road is now manned between 12.30 & 4.30 Monday to Thursday unless there is an emergency call out.

Bag for Life

The Chamber of Commerce launched an eco-friendly ‘Bag for Life’ at the annual Alresford Agricultural Show. Local residents and visitors to the Show were the first to purchase the new bags as part of a groundbreaking pilot scheme for Hampshire.
It’s a great way to do your bit for the environment and make your shopping easier! The bags are made from natural hessian and are stronger and larger than the free plastic carrier bags provided by most stores so they make carrying your purchases around town much easier. Not only that, many people are unaware that plastic bags end up in landfill sites because they cannot be recycled. The Alresford bag for life is 100% recyclable, so purchasing one and using it regularly clearly demonstrates your support for our environment.
The bags were sold out at The Alresford show but more have been ordered in will be avaialable in local shops shortly.
The Alresford bags carry an artist’s impression of the historic Georgian town, kindly drawn by local resident Mark Tubb, alongside the statement: ‘Plastic: it’s not our bag!’

Discover Alresford

The visitor will find information on things to do, together with maps and walks for those who wish to discover Alresford.

History

A brief history of the town is included for those who want to know more. Information on the Town's Coat of Arms is also included.
Information on Alresford and the Civil War including the Battle of Cheriton.
Don't miss the 'Alresford our Town' display in the library.

Old Photographs

A gallery of old photographs has been added, courtesy of the Hampshire Record Office. Each has been individually captioned but if you can add to this information with corrections and/or additions please particularly with regard to date, names of the people or the event
If you have any old photographs, particularly of events in the town prior to 1990, that we can scan and add to this collection please

Aerial View

GIVE US FIVE

Alresford Town Partnership wants to find out what you think are the most important projects for Alresford. We want our priorities to be those of the local community consisting of the town and the surrounding parishes.
Please give us five minutes of your time to identify the five most important projects

Complete Survey

Local Development Framework

Following the meeting on 16 January the Town Council established a working party to develop the Town Council's response to the Issues and Options paper. This has been completed and approved by the Town Council and has been submitted to Winchester City Council. The full text can be viewed here.

The Over and Above Award

Winner
Sole Butchers

'The Over & Above Award' is an annual prize presented to a Chamber of Commerce Member Business that has demonstrated outstanding customer service. Every Chamber business is eligible to be judged in an open competition that draws on nominations from members of the public.

Alresford Pocket Guide

The Alresford Chamber of Commerce and Winchester City Council’s Tourism Service has launched a new ‘Pocket Guide’ which is available in tourist offices across the South, and in shops and attractions in Alresford and surrounding areas. Containing events, walks and trails, eateries, attractions and retailers, along with useful information and a town map, it is an indispensable aid for visitors.
Alresford is fast becoming a ‘must visit’ destination throughout the whole year, adding to the cultural diversity that Winchester district has to offer. Press Release

Parking in Alresford

Parking in Alresford continues to cause concern and there are still many reports and rumours of what may or may not be arranged to solve this problem. There is increasing comment that the lack of parking impacts the number of shoppers to the town and it would appear that long term parkers are occupying spaces that should be available for shoppers and short term visitors to the town. This situation has occurred because of what appears to be a reducing focus on the enforcement of the existing parking regulations by Winchester City Council. Except at exceptional times there is normally space in the Station Car Park and the Town Council still has spaces available for rent at Arlebury Park. It would seem that the proper enforcement of the existing parking regulations in the centre of the town would address the availabilty of spaces for shopper and visitor short term parking but it is feared that this may well highlight the need for more long term parking.

Parking Update

The Chamber of Commerce and New Alresford Town Council working with Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council have identified a site at Perins School, behind the Methodist Church, where the existing car park can be extended to provide an additional 70 -100 Pay & Display car park spaces. All parties, including the school, have agreed that this is a suitable site and approval is now being sought from Central Government to enable the scheme to go ahead. Government approval is necessary as this is technically part of the school playing field which is subject to strict control on other uses and it is now expected that this will be given in early March.
Subject to final agreement on funding it is anticipated that work will commence in the summer for completion well before the end of this year.

Local Weather

5 - day local weather forecast

Skate Board Park

Alresford's Skate Board Park is now open on the lower field of Arlebury Park

Spring in Alresford

Green buds and shoots are appearing and now is a wonderful time to be in Alresford. With the warmer days with us make Alresford a place to visit. Enjoy some refreshment at one of the town's Coffee Shops or even take a break for lunch.
Enjoy a Spring walk around the Millennium Trail alongside the River Alre. Enjoy a trip on the Watercress Line or a pleasant walk at Hinto Ampner National Trust Garden

Eat in Alresford

Have you booked that Mother's Day or Easter lunch yet. If not book now at one of Alresford's many pubs and restaurants where you can enjoy anything from Pub Grub to bistro dining and à la carte food.
Why not just come for Lunch or Dinner anyway.

Gardens Open

Hinton Ampner National Trust Garden. The garden and house will open for the season on Saturday 15 March - for the first time the House will be open four days a week (Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday 11am - 4pm)
Full details of Gardens Open this month

Alre River Trail

The highlight of the Arle River Trail is now the newly restored Eel House. Following its near collapse the foundations and walls have been rebuilt and new railings installed which allow a better view of the western side of the building.
The Arle Valley Trail is an extension of the Millennium Trail

Favourite Market Town

Alresford came top of the SE regional list in Country Life's "Favourite Market Town" award and was a runner up to Hexham, the winners, in the final five!

Alresford Design Statement

In consultation with residents New Alresford Town Council has over the last two years been preparing a Design Statement for the town. A design statement is a supplementary planning document that is produced with the residents and reflects what they would like to see considered in future planning applications. The public consulation period for the draft Design Statement has now closed but the final draft can still be viewed here. As soon as the final document is avaialable it will be published here.

Alresford Museum

The Alresford Museum Trust was recently founded to provide a museum for the town and its primary task is to to acquire suitable accommodation.
Meanwhile the intention is to collect documents and artefacts which will illustrate the story of Alresford so that a display can be set up that will be interesting and educational.
The Trust requires premises and funds to set up the museum.

Chamber News

The latest Edition of Chamber News is now available.

Join the Chamber

If you are a local business and wish to join the Chamber please download and print an application form.

You can do a quick search of the site by entering keywords right.

Long term Pay and Display parking (free on Sundays and Bank Holidays) in Station Yard. Overflow parking at Perins School, accessible from Jacklyns Lane, and Winchester Road at weekends and school holidays. Free, short term on street parking available .Public Toilets in Station Road. Cash dispensers at Barclays and Lloyds Banks.

TRAVELLING TO ALRESFORD

Look under New Alresford in a map index or web map search. Location Map

BY ROAD: Off the A31 between Winchester and Alton, seven miles from Winchester.

BY STEAM RAILWAY: 10 miles from Alton Station.
Tel: 01962 733810 for running times. There is a direct rail link to London Waterloo from Alton Station normally with at least one train per hour.

BY BUS: Regular services from Winchester, Southampton, Alton and Petersfield.
Tel: 0870 608 2 608 for information or use the timetable look up.

CANGO BUS

Look out for and click on the Information buttons which give you more details on organisations and subjects.

For further information regarding the Chamber of Commerce please e-mail us on:

To include your details or correct an entry in this web site please e-mail:

This web site is published by the Alresford Chamber of Commerce. All details are believed to be correct at time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken for errors, omissions or subsequent alterations.

We believe that this web site conforms to the W3C - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines - with the exception of the Galleries section of the site. Please see our accessibility page for details. However we would like any feedback from visitors who are having difficulty with this or any other aspect of the site.

Road Closures for Festival 11 May

Festival Sponsorship Opportunities

Visit our picture gallery

Annual Attractions at a glance.

View this month's events.

Easter March 21 - 24 Days out with Thomas
April 5 - 13 - Days out with Thomas
May 11 - Watercress Festival
June 15 - Alresford 10k Road Race
21 & 22 June - War on the Watercress Line
July 20 - Bus Rally - Watercress Line
9 - 17 August - Days out with Thomas
September 6 - The Alresford Show
October 16 - Fun Fair in Broad Street
November 5 - Torch light parade & Fireworks
December 10 - Arrival of Father Christmas
December 10 - Late Night Shopping

Information on the Watercress Line.

Old Alresford Parish Council

Planning an event?
Told anyone about it yet?
How do you know it won't clash with another event?
Tell us about it and then thousands will be in the know.
Details to:
e-mail:
Fax: 01962 735136