Search for a fresh focus

The town was identified as ‘the centre for the Washington Country’ (Sulgrave Manor and the American connection) as well as being ‘chiefly associated with the famous Banbury cakes and with the Banbury Cross mentioned in the renowned nursery rhyme’.

Another significant link was forged by local publisher and High Street bookseller HB Stanley.

He marketed a volume with the popular title ‘Banbury and the Country of Shakespeare’. Additionally down the years Banbury has been seen by many coach companies as a significant gateway to the Cotswolds.

In the past many people would have settled for these observations as summing up their vision of the town. If further identification was required then a strong market town image filled the breach.

Many writers regarded Banbury as a classic example of a town with this role. Not for no good reason did the livestock market in Grimsbury earn the slogan ‘the stockyard of Europe’.

It could have been no surprise when a national newspaper printed a photograph showing farmers you might expect to meet regularly on Market Day.

The loss of the livestock market in 1998 combined with the subsequent decline of the produce market has brought about a situation in which there is a need to re-think the vision for Banbury.

Early in 2016 is a good time to do this as Cherwell District Council has used the services of an experienced company to put together a report which will go to public consultation.

In order for this to happen effectively there needs to be a clear understanding of the meaning of vision.

Not only must it take account of how residents view Banbury but also visitors perceptions.

In my article today I want to suggest how it is possible to take on board historical development of Banbury.

This is not to deny other approaches, one of the most relevant of which is founded in the business characteristics of town and district.

The compilers of the Council’s report focus on Banbury as the powerhouse of a significant sub-region. At the same time estate agents Savills in a new publication called ‘a close-up of Banbury’ have gone a stage further and have allied vision to the concept of growth area. They state ‘the allocation of new homes locally and the opening of the Gateway Retail Park near Junction 11 of the M40 give some idea of the level of investment and interest in the town.

Historically it was the village carriers who made Banbury the main focus of their journeys.

Today the extension of this is represented by Banbury in its commuter belt role and by Londoners with their enhanced perceptions of Banbury’s significance as a key gateway to the Cotswolds and has Formula 1 racing as the heart of its region’.

These observations suggest that an accurate definition of vision must be allied to past market town success as well as the pattern of change which reiterates the huge significance of a central position in the country.

A crucial part of vision analysis must be any scheme that seeks to make use of Banbury’s key assets, the Cross and the Lady on the Horse statue.

These are the advance guard of a significant number of heritage property gems. Individually and collectively these generate a sense of place and ultimately form part of the Banbury Experience.

As suggested in the Times recently key streets could be zoned so as to make regenerative schemes more achievable and permit a reclaiming of the High Street.

Way back in the 12th century Alexander Bishop of Lincoln built a castle and most probably used this to defend the market place he had created.

In defining and refining the town’s vision more could be made of these initiatives which gave Banbury a mediaeval new town status.

In addition in view of the lack of evidence for Shakespeare ever having visited Banbury, it might be more rewarding to pursue the Gulliver connection.