And a cinema, a McDonalds and a number of other attractions which have been suggested for the town, could be possible if it is marketed in the right way, members of East HampshireÕs economic development and tourism policy development panel were told.
BordonÕs economic future was under the microscope at the special panel meeting and both councillors and officers were confident that, with the enthusiasm of local people and the support of local authorities, the town could be thriving in years to come.
Although, there is a theatre, a leisure centre and a community hospital in the town, there is still a call for more facilities for local people, who currently have to travel to neighbouring towns to find what Bordon lacks..
Transport serving the town was also considered to be poor and with the axing of the No 38 bus service, residents without cars have found it increasingly difficult to travel to and from the town.
EHDCÕs transport officer, Gwil Williams, told panel members that he had spoken to a number of Bordon residents who find it difficult to travel to work in Petersfield now that the No 38 service has been cut.
And he said an important factor in the regeneration of Bordon was the transport serving the town and the A325.
ÒThe A325 is a crucial part of the development of Bordon. And the death of transport in the local area is a major problem for the town,Ó said Mr Williams.
Representatives from Whitehill Town Council and a number of other organisations were invited to last ThursdayÕs special meeting at Penns Place.
Among those who attended were Yvonne Parker-Smith of Bordon and Whitehill Working Party, which has been working towards the townÕs regeneration for many years, Phil Bates of Grayshott Pottery and Don Mayes and Chris Wain of Whitehill Town Council.
Ferris Cowper told members that although he did not live in Bordon he did know a lot about the town.
ÒI have said before in this panel that in my view, as an outsider looking in, that the town has big ideas and what it needs is big companies with big money to make these ideas happen,Ó he said.
ÒNothing else is going to deliver the cinemas and the shopping centres that local people want.Ó
Mr Williams agreed with Mr CowperÕs comments but he said it was important to know the councilÕs limitations.
ÒUnfortunately we are in local government and not in big business,Ó he said.
Mr Cowper said that one of the problems facing the town was the fact that it is unknown to many people.
ÒSEEDA (South East England Development Agency) does not have Bordon and Whitehill on its map of the south east and I think that is one of the main problems,Ó he said.
ÒIf you look at the population of the town itself it is around 14,000, which is an average town, but that is not taking into account the surrounding areas which are also served by the town, including Headley and Lindford.
ÒTaking into account these other areas, Whitehill and Bordon district is around 33,000, which is a large town.Ó
Sam James suggested the campaign to regenerate the town should have a motto Òlearn and earn in BordonÓ.
ÒWe could consider getting a business marketing consultant. We could go to see McDonalds and the other businesses which the local people want and say Ôlook - this is what Bordon has to offerÕ,Ó he said.
Panel chairman Richard Hope thought the motto was a ÒsplendidÓ idea and it will be considered.
Panel members were told that Bordon and WhitehillÕs renewal has been a focus of the district councilÕs work for many years.
A variety of policies and programmes have directed its actions, including the local plan second review, its housing strategy, the north east area community committee action plan, support to community, leisure and health issues, and the work of the Bordon and Whitehill Working Party.
The district council has also supported the arrival of new retail developments in the town including Lidl and it is thrilled that Tesco has finally cleared its final planning hurdle.
The town centre has been redefined to encourage new investment.
And the district council has deemed the creation of a renewal programme for Bordon and Whitehill, which is identified in EHDCÕs corporate action plan for 2002-2007, a priority for next year.
Chairman of Whitehill Town CouncilÕs finance and policy committee Don Mayes told members about the Òhealth checkÓ which the town is currently undertaking.
The Òhealth checkÓ allows local people to identify the economic, environmental and social strengths and weaknesses of the town and its surrounding countryside.
And it will help to create a vision for the future by allowing the local community to assess the townÕs future needs.
Mr Mayes told panel members that the Òhealth checkÓ was going very well and the response from the public was very positive.
Two Òhealth checkÓ seminars held earlier this year had been successful.
From that meeting a team of people was put together to look at social and community activities, transport, the economy and the environment.
ÒWe need to employ a coordinator, which will be a paid job, who will gather all the information from the local people and translate it into a report,Ó said Mr Mayes.
ÒThe report will then be submitted to the Countryside Agency to approve the programme and hopefully provide funding.Ó
District councillors were pleased with the work that had already been carried out and agreed to support the townÕs health check process by providing information and specialist knowledge, support partnership bids to enable the health check to progress and an action plan to be implemented.
The district council will continue to support organisations to develop and promote the town as an investment opportunity through the core economic development service activities.