Local MP Jeremy Hunt joined representatives from local businesses and local Councillors in Hindhead on Saturday to discuss the problems their businesses have faced since work started on the old A3 after the A3 tunnel opened and also plans to regenerate the village. Many businesses have lost thousands of pounds as a result of roadworks and poor signage leading to a dramatic drop in trade. At the meeting at the Devil's Punchbowl Hotel Jeremy listened to the problems that the Hotel, Albany Antiques, Spice of Hindhead, Cooper Brother's and the Post Office have faced. The main concerns were the length of time the roadworks have been going on outside their properties and the lack of information about when they would finish. There were calls for better signage to make it known that it was business as usual along the old A3. One other major concern was parking problems caused by the National Trust's Devil's Punchbowl attraction and a representative from the Trust explained how the work had impacted on them and what their plans for the future entailed. It was agreed that Jeremy would contact the Highways Agency to urge for confirmation of an end date for the ongoing roadworks and express the need for this to happen as soon as possible. In terms of parking issues Jeremy suggested that a working group come together to work with the National Trust on a long term plan to improve the situation. Haslemere Town Councillor Brian Howard suggested that Hindhead form its own branch of the Haslemere Chamber of Commerce to ensure Hindhead’s voice was heard and everyone agreed that the best way forward was for local businesses to join together with one voice and seek the best way to promote Hindhead and attract more trade.
Jeremy said: ""The main thing to press is that Hindhead is still very much open for business. Unfortunately the roadworks have not been carried out as tidily as everyone hoped and the visual impact has meant people have shied away from the area. The long term plan to regenerate Hindhead will offer endless opportunity for local businesses but in the short term we need to hammer home that the shops, businesses, restaurants and hotel are still open and still trading"".
Cllr Peter Isherwood who chaired the meeting said: ""The meeting was extremely useful and I am delighted that Jeremy could offer some suggestions as to how we move forward. The regeneration will create a better, more vibrant Hindhead but in the short term we must protect those who already trade here so that they will be some of the main benefactors of the new look village"".
