Author Archives: Iain Nicholson

On Wednesday July 4th Grimsey Review 2 was published. As a contribution to the debate we share here the submission we made to the review based on our #townteam experience and our connections with town centres and place management colleagues … Continue reading →

The team behind Banbury town centre’s popular Church Lane Art Gallery have taken another big step towards securing its longer-term future. The 32-member Banbury Artists’ Co-operative, which runs the Gallery, have taken on a one-year licence to occupy the Church … Continue reading →

  Three long-empty shop units in Castle Quay shopping centre are being brought back into use, thanks to an early project initiative by the new Banbury Business Improvement District (BID). The BID has taken a six-month licence to occupy the … Continue reading →

The windows of an empty Banbury town centre shop have been turned into a showcase for a photographic exhibition capturing the colour, fun and vibrancy of Banbury events.

Expansion welcomed by senior councillor as a “real commitment to Bicester town centre” One of Bicester’s leading and longest-established independent retailers has made a big commitment to the town centre by signing up to a new long-term lease in a … Continue reading →

The whitewash paint has gone. Now the windows of a prominent empty unit in Wantage town centre features the work of a group of local artists. It’s the latest initiative by Wantage Town Team as part of their work to … Continue reading →

Oxford Etsy will be opening their first ever pop-up shop in Bury Street, Abingdon on 4 November. The success comes after the Vale of White Horse District Council’s recently launched Independent Shops Project – an initiative which enlisted the help … Continue reading →

Which Wantage or Grove business gives exceptional customer service? Which is your favourite Wantage or Grove restaurant and pub? And which Wantage town centre business has a shop front to be proud of? It’s time for people living in and … Continue reading →

More independent shops are filling Banbury town centre, boosting its reputation as an indie shopping destination whilst reducing the number of empty units. Cherwell District Council and its town team coordinators are working with landlords and agents to help overcome … Continue reading →

Memories of Wantage shops, their owners and staff, and what they sold have been sparked by a collection of photographs being displayed at Vale & Downland Museum and online.