The Vacant Shops Academy

The range of great places to eat and drink in Wantage and Grove are showcased in a new series of short films that give residents and visitors an insight into the choices available locally.

There are seven short films in the new series – two on eating out, focusing on restaurants, three on pubs and bars, and two on cafés. It’s a chance to hear from many of the people who own and run local food and drink venues, and get an idea of the range of food, drink and entertainment that’s available. Continue reading →

For The Herald newspaper series April 2016

You may have traded until now online, or at markets and trade fairs, or you may be established in another town and looking at Wallingford next. If your business adds to the retail mix we have already, we’d be very interested in talking to you about our pop up shop project. Continue reading →

More than 25 independent businesses and community organisations from around Banbury town centre will take their trade and talents out onto the streets for the Old Town Spring Party on Saturday 7 May.

Independent shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants will be adding to the party spirit by trading outside on the day along Parsons Street, Church Lane, Church Walk and into White Lion Walk, High Street and Market Place. Continue reading →

An online children’s clothing retailer is the first to market-test its business in Wallingford’s latest pop up shop.

Run by a mum to two children, Emma Cooper, Mon Petit Oscar – www.monpetitoscar.com – specialise in clothes and shoes for newborns through to 7 year olds, and offers change bags, accessories and gifts. Continue reading →

So another positive High Streets story (empty shop numbers at their lowest since December ’09) is diminished by being tied to another about long term empties (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/12147104/Shop-vacancies-fall-to-six-year-low-but-dry-January-drags-on-sales.html).
Is it time for a more detailed study of these empties to separate those which are like that because of a lack of demand versus those impacted by supply side factors?
My question is: can we explore what proportion of the long time empty units have one or more of the following characteristics: Continue reading →

Careers Fest 2016.
MINI Plant Oxford

Representatives of major Oxfordshire employers welcomed Careers Fest 2016 as a great opportunity for them to meet the next generation of employees. More than 50 employers, education organisations and training providers, and more than 1500 students, aged 14-18, from 15 Oxfordshire schools, attended  the 2-day Oxford City Learning (OCL) event, hosted by MINI Plant Oxford. Continue reading →

The number of empty shops in Banbury town centre has fallen again.

The latest audit by Banbury’s town team co-ordinators shows 33 ground floor retail and hospitality units listed as empty and available. That’s down from 40 at this time last year and down from 53 when the town team co-ordinators published the first audit in May 2014. Continue reading →

Reflections as one popupster reached the end of her stay in our Wallingford High Street pop up shop:

“I’m now into my last week at the pop up shop and what an amazing time I’ve had. It really is something to celebrate and has made me more determined to find my forever shop! Here are some if the lovely comments I’ve received whilst I’ve been here…” Continue reading →

A new group of occupiers have taken their places in Wallingford’s pop up shop at 29 High Street with three of the businesses who’ve been in the unit since it opened in July staying on.

“The first 5 weeks in the pop up shop have been a great success.” Continue reading →

Wallingford’s new pop up shop will open this month and more than 20 businesses have already expressed an interest in taking up a space. The unit, on Wallingford High Street, is being let by town centre specialists Iain Nicholson and Neil Wild of Flashop UK Ltd, as part of a joint South Oxfordshire District Council-Wallingford Town Council initiative. Continue reading →