NINE new businesses have opened their doors in Basingstoke town centre in the past three months.

Six out of the nine new businesses that have opened in the last three months have set up shop in the Top of the Town.

These new businesses are: Duck & Tipple bar and restaurant in Wote Street, Chennai Express south Indian restaurant in Wote Street, The Olive House Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant in Church Street, Surya’s newsagent and international food store in Church Street, IncuHive business support hub and meeting space in Church Street, The Salt Lounge natural treatment centre in Feathers Lane, Jack Wills national fashion retailer in Festival Place, Cote Brasserie restaurant in Festival Place, and Sushi Maki Japanese restaurant in Festival Place, which is due to open this month.

The new businesses have been supported by Basingstoke Together, which is the public face of the Basingstoke BID.

Chief executive of Basingstoke Together, Lucy Boazman, said: “Basingstoke has so much to offer to prospective businesses looking for somewhere to launch their new or latest venture.

“Alongside the array of national high street brands in Festival Place and The Malls, we also have some fantastic independent shops and businesses, which make a visit to Basingstoke truly unique.

“We are so pleased to welcome the new businesses to Basingstoke and we wish them all the best. We also hope that residents and visitors to the town will explore both the newcomers as well as the existing independent businesses throughout the town centre.

“There is so much choice on our high street now, so we look forward to seeing how people embrace that, both in the run up to Christmas and well into the new year.”

Both Chennai Express and The Olive House are new companies that are new to the market. Surya’s relocated from Basing View, and IncuHive has been opening other branches in the south of England.

Chief operating officer of IncuHive, George Scott-Welsh, said: “It is extremely encouraging to see the number of new businesses opening within the town centre and especially at the Top of the Town. With the Top of the Town being majority independent owner run businesses, this creates a more personal experience for both the shoppers and the other surrounding businesses who are collaborative and supportive of one another.

“The community feel of the Top of the Town, teamed with fantastic architecture and local history, creates a hugely positive environment in which to visit and run a business."