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Pop-up space enables community organisations and local people to come together
21/07/2022
The ribbon is cut at Castle Quay for a unit that focuses on voluntary and community groups
The area’s voluntary and community groups can now take advantage of a unit in Castle Quay from where they can meet local people and showcase what they do. A new pop-up space opened this lunchtime (Thursday).
Cherwell District Council has made the unit available as a central hub where people can meet and chat with a wide range of groups that operate in North Oxfordshire, whilst discovering opportunities to get involved.
Councillor Phil Chapman is the Portfolio Holder for Communities. He said: “Its for people to meet those who deliver services and see what they do.
“With Covid so much went behind the scenes, online and on phones. This is now getting people back together so you can physically come and meet people.
“That’s important, not just for the literal service, but also to feel better about yourself and in conversations.”
Councillor Chapman joined the Chairman of Cherwell District Council, Councillor Les Sibley, and Ward Councillor Dr Chukwudi Okeke to cut the ribbon and declare the pop-up space “open”.
The idea has already been backed by Citizen’s Advice, Age UK and Trading Standards, all of whom will have a regular presence in the pop-up space. Other groups that will appear in the unit from time to time include Restore, Banbury Community Action Group and The Hill.
Councillor Chapman said: “The idea is for this to be a permanent site and there will always be new things going on every day.
“We’ve chosen the word ‘pop-up’ to make it clear that different people can come in every day.
“We want this to be a long-term thing.”
The pop-up space is located at Unit 56 – opposite the old H&M store. It will be open during normal business hours.
Councillor Chapman believes this is all part of a new vision of what centres like Castle Quay can deliver for their communities in 2022. He said: “When we started investing in the town centre and everything new that you see, right from the outset we knew it was going to be a different kind of offer. Its going to be about people; its going to be about experiences; meeting people and having fun.
“Some of the ways of shopping that were slowly going on-line have been massively accelerated by Covid. Shopping centres are now more experience centres. Yes, there’s shops, but shops that offer experiences. Its going to be a new world now.”
Voluntary and community groups who are interested in utilising the space on either a one-off or regular basis should contact Cherwell District Council by emailing wellbeing@cherwell-dc.gov.uk.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam