Could Banbury become a 'cultural destination'?

Banbury Canal Festival in October is one of the events in the town's cultural calendar - celebrating the town's waterways

"There's not much to do in Banbury."

It was a sentiment I heard over and over from residents during a recent visit to the town.

But Banbury has a rich history, a well-established theatre, and a calendar full of cultural events.

And now there is a push to convince both potential visitors and existing residents that Banbury's "cultural offer" is worth another look.

'Dinosaurium: Re-Imagined Creatures' has been a popular special exhibit at Banbury Museum this summer

The new strategy - tag lined "Made In Banbury" - has been endorsed by Cherwell District Council and sees key cultural organisations working together to boost publicity and improve what is on offer in the town.

The council is investing £6,000 over two years in marketing for the campaign.

Liberal Democrat councillor Rob Pattenden, who is in charge of Healthy Community, said its hoped they can change people's minds about the town.

"Actually there is a lot going on, and it's a shame that people don't think that about Banbury - because it really does have that side to it," he said.

"I want people to go: 'no Banbury really is a cultural destination'."

The Mill Arts Centre had an 'annus horribilis' in 2024 - beset by repeated flooding - but is now running shows and events as usual

After a difficult period, The Mill Arts Centre is one of the venues hoping for a boost from Banbury's cultural push.

It was repeatedly flooded last year and was forced to move to a temporary venue, but has now resumed a normal programme of events.

Chief Executive Andrew Lister said: "It's fair to say that 2024 was our annus horribilis, to quote the late Queen, but we are fully back up and running this year."

He said there were 216 live shows happening at the theatre this year - but convincing the locals that Banbury has a cultural scene to celebrate is not always easy.

"There is lots going on - I think people always recognise that more when they come from outside Banbury," he explained.

"We're a medium-sized market town, but for the scale that we are there is an awful lot happening in Banbury."

Simon Townsend from Banbury Museum says the town has "untapped potential"

Banbury Museum is another member of the consortium behind Made in Banbury.

Its galleries explore the central role the town took in the Civil War, its manufacturing past and the history of the canal.

Simon Townsend, the museum's director, said: "Banbury is a really fascinating town, it's very rich historically, has a fantastic town centre, wonderful buildings and has got an awful lot to offer."

Banbury's town centre has been hit by big retail brands moving out

One of the reasons that people may feel gloomy about what is on offer on Banbury is the number of empty shops.

Banbury has been hit hard by big brands like Debenhams closing its doors, and others, such as Marks & Spencer, leaving the town centre.

But could the cultural strategy help solve this problem too?

Cllr Pattenden believes so: "The fact of the matter is that the internet has changed what town centres look like, because it's changed how people shop.

"But if we can make those empty spaces some kind of a cultural offering, that's really great news.

"An example is, we've got Banbury Library, which is coming into Castle Quay - taking one of the largest spots moving forward

"And that's the kind of thing we want to encourage: cultural spaces taking up those empty retail units."