No Banbury Canal Day this year

Published: Thursday, 16 February 2017

THE very popular Banbury Canal Day will not be held this year as building work is being carried out at the nearby shopping centre meaning the show's venue will become a building site.

The town councillors at Tuesday's general services committee heard work on the extension to Castle Quay shopping centre was due to start in summer this year and much of the area used by the Banbury Canal Day would not be available, Alan Tilbury reports.

Completely fenced off

This, its 14th year, was scheduled to be held on the 1st October, but during this time both sides of the canal, between the BHS and Tom Rolt bridges would be completely fenced off.

Major car parks used for parking for the event would also be out of action and fencing along the canal's towpath would have a negative impact on the appearance of the event.

Very few boats

Changing the date of the canal day has been considered, including holding it earlier in the year or merging it with the Banbury and District Show. But both options have been ruled out after talking to boaters, many of whom travel during the summer months to arrive at Banbury in October, so would be unable to come, with very few boats on display.

The Chairman of the General Services Committee, Councillor Colin Clarke, stated the decision was taken reluctantly, explaining:

"The Canal Day is the biggest event the town council organises. We get something in the region of 10,000 to 12,000 people. It is very popular. Because of the Castle Quay development, it would give the town council considerable problems trying to bring the Canal Day together in a safe environment.

"The decision has been made reluctantly but, at the end of the day health and safety has to take priority. Fifty per cent of the canal towpath we would be using would not be available."

Implications for next year

Work on the shopping centre is expected to be completed by winter 2018, which means there are implications for the Canal Day next year too. And once the work is complete people visiting the event will no longer have access to the outdoor car parking area near BHS, which usually also accommodates 48 stalls.