Little Clarendon Street's Julyfest a success

Little Clarendon Street was again the scene of a community gathering, as attempts to reinvigorate the area heat up.

Julyfest celebrated the street’s independent shops and follows Mayfest, a similar event two months ago.

On Sunday, around 5,000 people were treated to 23 stalls, a variety of live music acts, a circus workshop and an opportunity to learn more about local businesses.

Opening the festivities was Oxford-based former England footballer Martin Keown, who said: "I'm a great fan of anything to do with Oxford and want to support it.

"This is a really important get together because these trades people here rely on us."

He continued: "This is a little jewel, Little Clarendon Street - full of lots of little restaurants, wine bars.

"They are difficult times at the moment so it is great to see so many people out. We want you to have lots of fun and spend a little bit of money."

Speaking after the event, organiser John Mair added: "A lot of the stalls sold out and it all finished at 10.30pm with dancing in the street. I was very very pleased - it is the second in a series."

He added: "We were delighted to attract so much trader interest and that so many people came along.

"Little Clarendon is back on the up - come and visit. Next time there will be more more people with the students back."

The event also fundraised for Sobell House, which has a store on the road.

Manager Yvette Barnard said: “It is going really well, everyone is doing lots of different things.

“This sort of things allows people to see us. Hopefully they will come and shop here in the future.”

The main attraction were local businesses offering a taster of what they offer the community.

Loredana Stroup, the general manager of G & D’s, said: “We have been here 27 years.

“The whole street has come together with traders, the university, college - it has been a real team effort to make this a focal point of Oxford.

“Its something we would lie to do regularly throughout the year.

Organisers say there are also plans to run an Octoberfest, which will feature ‘a lot of beer’ and to make similar events a more regular occurrence in the coming years.

One returning festival goer, instructional designer Justyna Konieczny, said: "I went to the one in May, so I came again.

"I like the idea - I think it is already pretty trendy."

The Cowley resident, 29, continued: "I think it is good to close it off to traffic so people can sit outside and actually enjoy the sun.

"There should be more of it in Oxford."