January 2025

Popular community skips scheme extended into 2025 and beyond

You can continue to easily dispose of your bulky household waste at one of our free community skips events all this year.

The council renewed its contract with local operator TJ Waste & Recycling in December last year to continue to provide the popular service for at least another three years.

The scheme brings skips to different areas where people live from 9.30am to 11.30am on alternate Saturdays. Residents can bring along items like broken furniture and toys, garden waste, items from home renovations, and more.

The next sessions are:

• Saturday January 18 at Whites Place Car Park
• Saturday February 1 at Walpole Park Car Park South
• Saturday February 15 at Privett Park

Funding boost to help restore Gosport's unique theatre organ

The restoration of a unique theatre organ from the 1930s has been supported by the council with a £10,000 grant. It's one of only two working organs of its kind and is located in Thorngate Halls, where it's used for public events, silent movies and children's sing-a-longs. In December the council's grants subs board approved the money for Gosport and District Organ Club's restoration project to repair the original features of the 90-year-old organ. The club needs in total £39,100 for the project and has raised some of the money itself.

Gosport civic service of peace

Gosport residents are invited to join a special service of peace, hosted by the Mayor of Gosport on Saturday 25 January at the Freedom Church.

The service will offer prayers of peace for people who are suffering in conflicts around the world and reflect on the enduring compassion shown by Gosport's community to each other and to those in need.

The service is open to all to attend and will take place at the Freedom Church, Freedom Centre on Netherton Road (PO12 4PH), starting at 2pm.

There will be reflective activities, readings, music, refreshments and prayers for the world and Gosport's community.

New high street shops open and two big names arriving soon

Gosport High Street currently has the lowest number of empty shops in recent years, with 86% of shopping space occupied.

The town centre has seen several new independent shops open up in recent months - with two big high street names - Bonmarché and McDonalds - also due to establish premises in the high street shortly. Among the recent additions are P&Js Bargains, RE5 Customs, Temperance Health and Craftaway.

The traditional town centre markets run twice weekly, Tuesdays and Saturdays, on Gosport High Street, offering everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to household goods and clothing, featuring many regular traders.

New businesses who are interested in trialling a market stall can apply for two free pitch spaces at upcoming markets before 1 April 2025. Contact Michael Jones on 07813 644350 to enquire.

Important changes to town centre parking

We’re making a small but important change to our parking system. At the moment you can enjoy one hour of free parking in our six short-stay car parks without needing a ticket. But starting Monday 3 February, you’ll need to get a free ticket from the parking machine or the MiPermit app to continue enjoying the first hour for free. The car parks affected are: Coates Road, South Street, Minnitt Road South, Church Path, North Loading Bay, North Cross Street.

Upgrades made at Alver Valley play area

Improvements have been made at the Alver Valley West play area. New safety surfaces have been laid on the bank underneath the wavy slide and to the little hill fort, replacing the eroded soil surface. The result is a big improvement to the appearance of the park and the safety of the bank and hill fort. It's all part of the council's commitment to maintaining and improving Gosport's parks for families to enjoy. 

Share your events for our guide

If you're hosting an event this year, let us know so we can consider including it in our 2025 Gosport What's On Guide. The A5 colour guide promotes the many amazing events and activities that take place across the borough from April to December. It appears online on the Discover Gosport and council's website and is widely promoted, with print copies also made available. Share your event by completing the online form below before the deadline of 21 February. We try to include as many events as possible, however submitting an event does not guarantee inclusion. Email events@gosport.gov.uk if you have any questions.