Banbury town centre is set for a boost as plans progress to help bring new life, experiences and opportunities to Castle Quay and the surrounding area.
Published: Thursday, 26th March 2026
Cherwell District Council has started work to explore how underused and long‑term vacant spaces within Castle Quay can be repurposed to help create a more vibrant town centre.
This work will consider a stronger mix of uses, including leisure, culture, workspace, and family attractions, as well as retail, to help the area continue adapting to changing consumer trends and better meet the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
Sitting alongside this, Oxfordshire County Council, with support from Cherwell, is looking to develop a Banbury Masterplan that builds on recent work to create a vision for Banbury. This masterplan will provide a clear, long-term framework to support Banbury’s future growth and regeneration.
Councillor Lesley McLean, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration, said: “Banbury has a proud history and a strong sense of identity, and our job now is to build on those strengths. The ambition is to create a town centre that develops with the community and responds to evolving needs, offering people a wider range of things to do.
“By rethinking how we use the spaces in and around Castle Quay, we aim to create a place people want to spend more time in, whether they’re visiting, working, shopping, or enjoying a day out with family or friends.
“Our ambition is to develop a more modern, experience‑led town centre that supports local businesses, encourages investment and economic opportunity, and gives residents more to enjoy close to home. This is about planning carefully for the long term, so Banbury remains a vibrant and attractive destination into the future.”
With national trends showing a shift towards experience‑led destinations, the council wants to ensure that Banbury has a variety of quality attractions and opportunities that attract visitors and encourage repeat visits. A more diverse town centre will not only enhance the experience for residents but also support economic growth and help businesses thrive.
Recent activity already demonstrates the exciting direction of travel. Cherwell District Council has moved its headquarters to Castle Quay; work is underway to bring a larger, more accessible new Banbury Library to the centre; and family attraction FunParx has announced plans to take a unit.
These additions, alongside the popular The Light and Lock29 and key retail renewals, indicate how Castle Quay is beginning to become a multi‑use hub for culture, leisure, services and activity.
Further updates will be shared later this year.