Winchester Digital Boost for Business Programme

 

The Winchester Digital Boost for Business Programme is offering 10 free places for micro and small businesses across the Winchester district to improve their digital capability and make better use of technology.

Each participating business will receive:

• A comprehensive digital assessment
• A personalised Digital Action Plan
• Four hours of one-to-one mentoring and implementation support

The programme is designed to help businesses improve areas such as their website, online presence, digital systems, cyber security, data, and explore how AI and automation could save time and increase productivity.

More information and the registration form can be found here:

https://incuhive.co.uk/acceleration-investment/winch-cc-digital-boost-for-business

New Campaign Launched to Improve the 67 Bus Service

Itchen Valley residents are invited to take part in a new community-led campaign aimed at improving local bus services - starting with the Stagecoach 67 route.

An interactive online tool, My Ideal Bus Journey, has been designed to capture how people would like to use local bus services, where current provision falls short, and what improvements are needed.

The campaign focuses on better connecting communities along the current route of the 67 bus service across Winchester, Kings Worthy, Easton, Martyr Worthy, Avington, Itchen Abbas, Itchen Stoke, Alresford, Tichborne, Cheriton, Hinton Ampner, Bramdean, West Meon, East Meon, Stroud and Petersfield.

At present, many residents experience limited and unreliable services, with particular gaps in early morning, evening and Sunday provision. The imbalance between the more frequent 64 service and the less frequent 67 has also left many Itchen Valley villages at a disadvantage.

This new campaign seeks to address these issues by gathering real, evidence-based data directly from residents. By recording desired journeys and highlighting unmet demand, the tool will help build a compelling case to Hampshire County Council and bus operators for improvements - including revised timetables, increased frequency, and potentially new or amended routes. Similar campaigns elsewhere in the County have already demonstrated its value in identifying thousands of potential journey improvements each year. The more people who take part, the stronger the evidence base becomes.

As well as service improvements, the campaign is also exploring wider issues such as reducing car dependency, improving accessibility for older and younger residents, and supporting more sustainable transport options - including the potential for zero-emission buses.

The Itchen Valley Parish Council is encouraging all residents to take a few minutes to complete the online tool and make their views known.

Have your say here: https://myidealbusjourney.org.uk/active-campaigns/campaigns?link=000005

The campaign will formally feed into discussions with Hampshire County Council, including an urgent review of bus services in the Itchen Valley, with the aim of establishing clear service standards and greater accountability for providers.

With public transport provision under increasing pressure, this community-driven approach offers a practical way for residents to shape the future of local services.

Your feedback matters - and together, we can make the case for a better bus service in the Itchen Valley.

Latest SDNPA Planning News - https://mailchi.mp/southdowns/sdnpa-planning-news-spring-2025

Latest South Downs News - https://mailchi.mp/southdowns.gov.uk/south-downs-news-march-2026

Winchester City Council News - https://mailchi.mp/winchester/your-council-news-8-march-15074122?e=5e1e6ab878

Cheriton Community News - https://mailchi.mp/db3f1d958022/cheriton-community-news?e=90789ca6c7