After Southampton and Portsmouth, Basingstoke is the largest settlement in Hampshire. It is a large town and encompassed many villages in its expansion, these are now considered local districts. The town expansion resulted from the need to accomodate the growing London population. Today, Basingstoke has an above average standard of living with low unemplyment due to the presence of a number of industries. These include IT, pharmaceutics and electronics with the headquarters of the Automobile Association also found here. Basingstoke has a long history of settlement and has always has commercial significance. It is listed as a market site in the Domesday Book held a Charter Market since the 13th centurty. During the 18th century, it prospered as brewing centre with the establishment of the May Brewery in 1755. The town centre received a boost with the opening of Festival Place in 2002, which houses cafes, restaurants, a wide range of shops and a multi screen cinema. Basingstoke has a good sporting culture with Basingstoke Town Football Club, the Basingstoke Bison ice hockey team, the Basingstoke Bluefins swimming team and the Basingstoke and North Hants cricket club. The town also has links with the fashion industry, namely through Thomas Burberry. The founder of the Burberry empire is buried in the South View cemetery
Local districts include Aldermaston, Baughurst, Bramley, Kingsclere, Oakley, Old Basing, Silchester, Lychpit, Chineham, Popley, Winklebury, Oakbridge, Kempshott. Brighton Hill, South Ham, Black Dam and Hatch Warren
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