Category: Support Local Businesses

Banbury and the MICE market: an opportunity we’re not quite claiming?

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I’ve been noticing something over the past few months.

Across both the hospitality and travel sectors, there’s been a noticeable shift toward meetings, conferences and events – what the industry tends to bundle together as “MICE” (I know it sounds like a pest problem but I promise it’s a profit centre). Hotels are talking about it more. Venues are investing in it. Destinations are actively competing for it.

Which makes absolute sense in the current economic climate. Leisure travel is still strong but it is also unpredictable. Business meetings and events, on the other hand, offer a lot more consistency and reliability.

And, as is often the case these days, that got me thinking about Banbury.

Continue reading “Banbury and the MICE market: an opportunity we’re not quite claiming?” →

Banbury Area Businesses Awash in Awards

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It may not be the Oscars but there’s been a lot of awards won around town lately –

First the 2025/26 Good Food Award winners were announced on November 10, two of my favourites here in Banbury won many well-deserved kudos.

  • Pizza Calzone (Parsons St) was awarded a Blue Ribbon, not for the first time either.
  • And Reg’s Cafe (Thorpe Way) got the VERY IMPRESSIVE and highly-regarded Gold Seal. The Gold Seal goes to businesses that achieve consistently high customer ratings/votes over three years. This is the fourth or fifth year in a row that Reg’s has gotten a Good Food Award.

And then The 9th Annual Food Awards England came out and both Pizza Calzone and Reg’s won praise once more!

  • Pizza Calzone took two categories – Best Italian Establishment (South) and Outstanding Achievement in the Pizza of the Year category
  • Regs Café captured Café / Bistro of the Year (South)

And in the wider Banbury visitor landscape, Hook Norton Brewery was one of the winners at the VisitEngland Attractions Accolade Awards. They were awarded the VisitEngland Hidden Gem Accolade, which means it is being officially recognised as a top-tier visitor attraction.

These opinions not for sale

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I got an absolutely hilarious comment over on the Banburian Facebook page. I was posting about why some people were gonna moan no matter what and pointed out once again that I’d rather highlight new stuff, share news from local businesses, find interesting stuff, and make constructive suggestions about changes (because nothing is perfect) than wallow in complaint about parking and hairdressers. . And the vast majority of people who follow that page and some all new people seemed very much on the same page. But then someone in the comments asked, ‘How much are you being paid to post that?’

And reader, I must tell you, I howled with laughter. As if! First of all, The Banburian – blog, Facebook and Instagram – are all 100% my own view, mostly my own pictures (sometimes Modern Parlance Photos pictures) and definitely completely unpaid. I mean, I wouldn’t take pay for this stuff – and second, who on earth do they think would pay for it?

Ridiculous. And I said so.

So, I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page as far as that goes. What you read here is my take and my take alone. No one has to agree with me – I would be amazed if everyone did – but no one, absolutely NO ONE is paying for favourable coverage or mentions.

Do Your Part To Big Up Banbury Businesses

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I wanted to talk a bit about supporting local businesses. Obviously, the most direct way to support local businesses is to shop at local businesses. But times are very hard right now – for individuals, families, and local businesses alike. That’s why I want to talk about other ways you can support local businesses – most of which cost you nothing.

Support Local Banbury Businesses

That’s why I want to talk about other ways you can support local businesses – most of which cost you nothing. Continue reading “Do Your Part To Big Up Banbury Businesses” →