Winchester civic chiefs have been pushed to improve on their efforts for future celebrations after a 'poor showing' in the city centre for the Queen's jubilee.

The authority came under fire from residents who were left feeling flat by the council's attempts to decorate the High Street with flags and bunting for the historic occasion.

That disappointment was once again brought to the fore during a Committee meeting on Wednesday.

While discussing the Winchester Business Improvement District's (BID) application to ballot for a fourth consecutive term, Councillor Caroline Brook raised the point with council leaders and the BID's executive director, Paul Spencer.

She referenced a £15,400 annual collaboration agreement between the council and the BID which facilitates partnership working on a number of areas of 'mutual benefit'. This includes Christmas in Winchester, climate emergency planning and festivals and promotions.

READ MORE: City council to discuss potential fourth term for Winchester BID

Speaking on the agreement, she said: "I'd like to take this opportunity to echo the sentiments of our residents that none of this was used for the Queen's Jubilee celebrations amid the perceived poor show from Winchester City Council in the High Street. Perhaps there should be consideration for extraordinary events such as this to be able to celebrate for everyone's benefit. The BID are an excellent resource for the city, and the thriving High Street we have against this tough climate is a real testament to this. So, I very much support this paper, but would would like to ask that we make consideration to those extraordinary events."

In response, Councillor Lucille Thompson, who is a representative on the BID board, said: "Certainly we will be looking at how we might be able to do more for those extraordinary events which might be on our horizon sooner rather than later. I'm sure we can have conversations with the BID about that, too."

Formed in 2008, the BID, which is in its 15th year, collects an annual levy from 711 city businesses which is calculated at 1.5 per cent of the rateable value of their premises.

The BID's paper was agreed by councillors at cabinet and the decision on whether the organisation will continue its work in Winchester now rests with business owners, who will vote at a ballot later this year.

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