Sittingbourne is set for a post-pandemic boom, according to a survey which revealed residents rediscovered their town centre during the lockdowns.

A poll of 250 people in the town revealed that since the start of the pandemic last March, 50% shopped locally more often since working from home, with the trend expected to continue.

Some 45% of those quizzed in the Censuswide survey reported they plan to mix home and office work in the future, with 58% planning to change jobs in order to be closer to home.

And the good news for town planners is that 52% reported having a greater appreciation of the town centre since the onset of Covid, and 55% have explored the local area more.

This trend towards staying and spending local will be further boosted with the opening of the Bourne Place leisure quarter – a new development by U+I and Quinn Estates in partnership with Swale Borough Council (together known as Spirit of Sittingbourne LLP).

A spokesperson for Spirit of Sittingbourne LLP, said: “The results of this survey show that Sittingbourne has a bright future. In response to our changing habits over this past year, many town centres are seeing more non-retail facilities being introduced to offer alternative services for local people on their doorstep.

"Bourne Place will allow residents to spend more time and money locally once lockdown restrictions are lifted, giving a much-needed post-pandemic boost to the town’s economy, whilst putting it firmly on the map as a leisure destination.”

Carlene Hughes, head of UK leisure at international real estate advisor Savills, added: “Over the past year we have secured a string of new high-profile lettings to national brands at Bourne Place, which shows the confidence that major leisure brands have in the future of the town."

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