Last year’s Old Town Party was such a success that organisers have decided to do it all again for 2011.
The event will take place in Banbury’s Old Town on Saturday, 16 July, from 11am to 3pm and coincide with the St Mary’s Church fete.
Businesses in Parsons Street, Church Walk, Church Lane and White Lion Walk pulled out all the stops last July to celebrate Cherwell District Council’s £1.5 million revamp of the area.
And in the wake of the event an Old Town Association was created to continue promoting everything the area has to offer.
June Irani of Café 6 in Church Lane, who chairs the Old Town Association, said: “New businesses have started up since last years Old Town Party such as the Artery, Fancy That and the Old Auctioneer which all add value to the old town, so the party should be even better!”
There are more than 126 shops in Banbury’s Old Town area and many of them will be enticing people in with samples of food and drink.
Like last year, a wealth of street entertainment is being laid on including the enormously popular Rimski Bicycle Piano, Sue Greenway and her Dixie Strollers and Martin Green on classical guitar.
There will also be dance displays and a turn from Cherwell Theatre Company’s Liam Nooney and Jim Snee as Holmes and Watson.
And with plenty to keep youngsters busy including balloon modelling and face painting it is an event for the whole family.
This year Cherwell is helping organise the event and while there is a little money left from last year to help plans along, the traders are providing most of the funding.
Councillor Norman Bolster, the council's lead member for economic development, said: “We are delighted with how well the redevelopment has been received by traders and the public.
“I hope next month’s event will prove as popular as last year’s, encouraging people down to see what the area has to offer.
“It’s not often you get the chance of a free afternoon out and with so much going on I’d defy anyone not to find something they enjoy.”
