Banbury residents, businesses and visitors are being asked to contribute to a new vision to help Banbury town centre flourish through to 2050.
Published: Friday, 10th November 2023
Cherwell District Council has enlisted Hemingway Design, a design studio focused on people, place and positive social impact, to help with the engagement and development of a Banbury Vision 2050 guided by the views of the community.
To kickstart the visioning process, the council invited young people from Banbury’s local schools and colleges to take part in a workshop run by Hemingway Design to ensure their voices were heard. They said what they liked and what could be improved in the town centre and what things Banbury needed to make it a better place in the future.
A survey is available at www.banbury2050.co.uk for everyone to give their views on the town centre until Monday, 15 January 2024.
Councillor Donna Ford, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said: “This is a pivotal moment for the town. We want the people who know Banbury best and use the town centre, whether residents, businesses, or visitors, to get involved. The survey is an opportunity to tell us what they want to see in the town centre in 2050.
“We understand that town centres across the UK are changing and must adapt, and this essential project enables us to get prepared and ahead of the game by setting a direction of travel for Banbury in the coming years.
“That’s why we are asking for everyone to help. The more voices we hear, the better informed we are to create a town centre vision that will unlock Banbury’s immense potential through to 2050.”
The engagement team, led by Wayne Hemingway, is experienced in getting underneath the skin of what makes town centres tick.
Wayne commented: “The best and most successful town centres respond to the needs of the people who use them. We started off the engagement with a focus on young people because it is younger generations who are driving the change that is taking place in town centres across the UK.
“It is younger generations who don’t have the same opportunities and disposable incomes to buy homes as generations before them, and who are growing up understanding, and facing the consequences of the climate emergency. Listening to their ideas, hopes and aspirations for the future of Banbury town centre and encouraging them to spread the word about Banbury Vision 2050 is vital.”
Councillor Ford added: “Our goal is to continue to support and help revitalise Banbury town centre. The purchase and regeneration of Castle Quay shopping centre and our recent decision to relocate our council offices there demonstrates our commitment to creating a thriving town centre. As part of the visioning process, we want to see potential new ideas for Banbury with local people helping to shape the future of their town.”
People can take the survey and have their say at www.banbury2050.co.uk
There is an exhibition in Castle Quay’s community hub throughout the engagement period, which has paper copies of the survey, and there will be further opportunities for people to have their say at workshops and events in town.