TRADERS on one of Oxford’s best streets for independent businesses are hoping yesterday’s street party will help bring back some of the sparkle it has lost recently.
Little Clarendon Street was closed off to traffic, and shops spilled out onto the road as hundreds of people spent the bank holiday enjoying all Oxford’s ‘most trendy street’ has to offer.
Longstanding businesses including tapas bar Al-Andalus and bistro Pierre Victoire joined forces with relative newcomers including the Jericho Cheese Company and The Oxford Wine Cafe to organise the event with the help of a committee of residents, councillors and university representatives.
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John Mair, the chairman of the committee who lives nearby, said: “Ten years ago the street had its glory days but more recently I think there’s a feeling it has lost it’s way a little bit.
“We wanted to give people a reason to come here and then hopefully they will think about coming back.
“It’s the first time we have had everyone coming together to do something.”
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Some traders have said the opening of the Westgate, as well as economic uncertainty caused by Brexit, have led to customers staying away of late.
The committee has also fundraised to install lights and flower boxes to give the area a boost and more events are now planned throughout the year.
Mel Tanyeri, who owns Al-Andalus, said: “It is one of the best streets in Oxford and used to be absolutely buzzing.
“Slowly trade has gone down a bit and we wanted to make a bit of a noise and get people down to see the changes that have been made.”
The event, which ran until 11pm, saw a stage set up for live music as well as 25 stalls selling food and crafts.
Shops set up stalls outside to sell their products to passers-by.
Adam Verlander, who runs the cheese shop, said: “It is really lovely having traders get together to make a couple of small but significant changes.
“We’re a street that is not full of identikit businesses: we have independent shops run by real people who are part of the community here and that is important.
“Hopefully we’ve been able to entice a few newcomers in to see what’s changed.”
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