Town Council In Line For Business Award

Banbury Town Council is in the running for a prestigious business accolade.

The council has reached the final stages of the Cherwell Business Awards in the ‘town centre’ category – the section that highlights a business, enterprise or initiative that contributes positively to the vitality of the town.

Judges in the awards scheme say the town’s annual events – food fairs, parties in the parks, canal weekend, Banbury Show, music festival, Christmas lights switch-on, Armed Forces Day, Battle of Britain Day, and Remembrance Sunday – give the town added vibrancy.

The events are all organised by the council and attract thousands of people to the town centre who provide increased footfall for shops, pubs, and restaurants.

For the past two years, royal events such as Queen Elizabeth’s jubilee celebrations and King Charles’ coronation festivities have added to the list of big days out.

The events have built up over the past 20 years.

Leader of the town council Kieron Mallon said: “Our events are good for trade and boost local businesses. That was the idea when we first started.

“They are great free days out for the public but essentially they encourage people to come into Banbury – not just town residents but people from local villages and further afield.

“The intention is that while they are here they spend money in town centre businesses – and that they like what they see and come back on non-event days.

Cllr Mallon said: “It’s great to be recognised by being shortlisted for this award and hopefully we will go all the way and collect the trophy.

*Whatever the result, we will continue with our events. We understand the market in which we operate and we have a vision and a strategy for the future.

“We will keep doing what is good for Banbury.”

The other finalists in the ‘town centre’ category are Banbury Sewing Centre and Lock 29.

The winners will be announced at a Cherwell Business Awards Gala Dinner on Friday September 8 at The Chesterton Hotel, near Bicester.