Your ideas!

The last time I went down PP was in November 2024, to return a parcel at the post office. It was the first time I had been down there in ages and felt honestly unsafe. Dark corners, run-down shops, and I had to dodge three separate shoplifters running out of Farm Foods, being chased by staff. I have not been back since. To attract people back, you have to give them a reason to go there, which means you have to offer things that surrounding shopping centers, such as Havant, don't. I was talking to an American friend recently who was telling me how the libraries over there are true community hubs and have such things as; - Dedicated staff to help people with bills and to access services (this would take pressure off of Citizens Advice). - 3D printers (and classes on how to use them) - high-tech scanners and printers (we don't even have colour) - sound booths to rent for people to record podcasts and music - seed banks (donate homegrown seed and take some in return) - chickens for cheap eggs - cake pan rental - drill / wallpaper stripper/ sander / other small tool rental - extensive Ebook rental (Havant's is rubbish and hardly has anything) - photo printing - Adult art and craft classes - adult evening classes - vinyl rental - sewing machines - craft machine supply rental (such as cricut or button makers) - video game rental - book clubs - photography clubs - seed planting group get-togethers I used to do adult evening classes at South Downs College and Park Community School until they stopped offering them a few years ago, and I miss them greatly. Improving the library (or the college building) would help keep children/trouble makers out of the shopping area by giving them something to do, and increase footfall, which would entice better quality shops back. It could also help people start up their own small business (people can hone their skills at crafting or 3D printing before buying their own equipment). I'm aware there is an art center down there, but as much as I would love to, I can't afford their prices. Maybe the library could join up with them to offer cheaper group classes? I also support the idea of bringing back the weekly markets. And now that the banks in Havant are closing, opening a banking hub/ post office would be a major win over Havant.

I think large sections could be demolished to allow a brighter less enclosed area. The library and other community resources are out on a limb and could be made more central so that more people are aware of them (such as the boxing and art centre). More could be done to give young adults free recreation facilities like a youth club or help with homework. Free parking would help. Planting and lighting is a bit of a waste of money. Encourage market traders on specific days. Try your best to keep Lidl as i have heard it may close because the new big one is opening near B&Q.

Unfortunately, I think park parade is beyond repair. You have a serious problem with the anti social behaviour. I think the park and planting would just be vandalised and lighting would be pointless due to people being too scared to even walk through there at night. I think save the money and just bulldoze the lot.

With all the empty shops, cafe's, vape shops and nail bars etc what else is there really to go there for. Years ago it was a real community place. Decent food shops, shoe shops, clothes shops, a proper market a real hustling, friendly community area. It's now so drab, dirty, smelly full of kids causing hassle for shoppers and shop keepers. You don't feel safe going there at all these days. We definitely need CCTV in the area and good old fashioned policing before bothering to spend money on the area or it will only be vandalised by the feral kids, unfortunately. Perhaps looking at bringing back a local youth club may be in one of the empty shops in the precinct . More entertainment, vibrancy and reason to want to go there. Also parking prices are ridiculous, just greedy, why pay to see that when you can park for free at other shopping areas? The alleyways by the cafe are disgusting and have been for as long as I can remember. That's a let down straight away walking through smelly dirty alleys to be met by the drabness is a real turn off. Definitely clean it up, brighten it up and put some oomph back into our centre along with security.

Financial incentives for local businesses to encourage other types of shops to open - enforcing restrictions to limit new vape shops ect. You could tie this in with a weekly market - preferably a farmers/arts and crafts market rather than the one in the town centre.

The area approaching from the buses and past the library needs attention. The road surface by the Chinese, and the smelly alleyway; this could all be resurfaced and made more pedestrian friendly and welcoming. Can the alley be blocked up? Can the buildings look better?

Can the alleyway be blocked off or have urine deflectors and better lighting fitted. Concrete planters along the wall outside the library to discourage antisocial gathering.

Clothes shops

Old Tesco back again or something similar

A regular Market Day would be amazing. Definitely something that would bring people into Greywell. Especially during the Christmas period there is an opportunity for local businesses and street vendors to really make Greywell and Park parade festive and enticing for all. I've been to Europe quite a few times and the traditional huts down the high street like those in portsmouth, with seasonal food, drink etc would not only look beautiful, but increase footfall in the area.