Bring your little ones for a magical Christmas experience at the Banbury BID ‘Santa Post Office’ in Castle Quay.
At this time of year, it is important to support our local high street.
Banbury town centre is home to all types of businesses and organisations. And, while the festive season is key for retailers, they all play a vital role within the community.
Banbury BID was formed to better promote the town and support its contributing businesses and organisations. Part of that means shouting about who and what’s available in Banbury.
This year, we’ve got Christmas all wrapped up for you. The BID team may be elf-like in size (myself and two Town Hosts) but we’ve been busy on a variety of initiatives to promote Banbury this winter.
A caring, sharing, giving Christmas
This year we have put people at the heart of the Banbury BID Winter Guide.
Christmas is a time to be thankful, so our Winter Guide is about caring, sharing and giving. If you’ve not picked up a copy, you can check out the online version below.
View the Banbury BID Winter Guide 2019
The Guide is funded by 500+ businesses and organisations to highlight the strengths of our town centre at a special time of year.
We have put together a collection of gift ideas available from a mix of national and independent retailers and businesses. Plus, ideas of where to eat and drink in Banbury, as well as expert tips for putting on a jolly good spread.
Check out our special feature on volunteering in our community too. Sharing time is free to give and brings so much joy during bleak winter months.
You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy locally
Shopping in Banbury offers an opportunity to engage with the local community. It’s the ideal place to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the atmosphere of a traditional town this Christmas.
Nothing really beats a gentle stroll around independent shops and high street brands to hand-select gifts for your loved ones. So, to help you find your way, we’ve commissioned a special map.
You’ll find our Banbury town map in the centre of our Winter Guide on pages (22-23). It was lovingly illustrated by Barry Whitehouse, artist and owner of The Artery.
A little bit of Christmas magic
Christmas is a great time to remember what’s important – spending quality time with loved ones and making special memories. So, we’ve teamed up with Castle Quay Shopping Centre to offer some early Christmas magic!
Bring your little ones for a magical Christmas experience and visit the Banbury BID ‘Santa’s Post Office’. You’ll find it in Castle Quay, opposite Cards Direct. There’s no need to book – just turn up and enjoy!
Our festive elves will help children write their letters to Santa, while you sit down for a well-deserved rest.
Santa’s Post Office is open at weekends from Saturday the 23rd of November until Sunday the 22nd of December. Then on Monday and Tuesday before Christmas too.
For more information and for all opening times, check out page 5 in our Winter Guide or visit our Facebook page.
Park the Herald angels sing!
We know that the last thing you want to worry about when planning your Christmas shopping is where to park and for how long.
To support our retailers, businesses and other organisations this festive period, we’ve worked hard to agree on special parking offers with the local Council. I’m pleased to say people driving to Banbury for their Christmas shopping will find it easier thanks to a trio of parking offers, including:
- a weekend shoppers’ rate and Banbury railway station;
- a park and ride scheme operating between Bodicote and the town centre;
- a new offer for Old Town retail workers.
For more details, visit the Cherwell District Council’s website.
Celebrate the winter solstice
Finally, we’re helping to put on a stunning lantern parade throughout the town.
Before you kick back and relax this Christmas join us to celebrate the winter solstice on the 22nd of December at 5 pm as we team up with Castle Quay to celebrate the shortest day of the year.
We’re inviting children to design and make their own lanterns. Head to The Imagination Station in Castle Quay for free craft workshops.
To get involved, visit Castle Quay’s website or check out the shopping centre’s Facebook page for workshop times and dates.
I hope after reading this you will agree that if you’ve not yet visited our historic market town you are missing out!
If you visit Banbury regularly, thank you for supporting our town centre. I hope our Winter Guide and activities help you discover a hidden gem, or simply enjoy more of our town during this special time of year.
Author: Jo Holland, BID Manager for Banbury BID