A LIVE rock venue has given a boost to a fledgling festival set up by shopkeepers to temper the loss of the Cowley Road Carnival.

The O2 Academy Oxford has become the latest business to breathe life into the Cowley Road Carnival Fringe, which has sprung from the ashes of the cancelled carnival.

So far, 30 businesses in the Plain Traders Association have signed up for the event, which will see a host of music areas featuring acoustic, blues and jazz, as well as circus skills and other workshops in the Cowley Road and surrounding streets.

The gig venue and nightclub in the Cowley Road is donating a music tent to make sure the event, on Sunday, July 5, goes with a swing.

And Academy managers have contacted every Oxfordshire band on their database to secure top local talent for the line-up.

Erica Steinhauer, who is spearheading the Cowley Road Carnival Fringe, said: “The O2 Academy sponsorship is the cherry on the top of the support the Cowley Carnival Fringe has received from local traders and residents, not to mention the on-going support of the Oxford Mail, without which we couldn’t have got as far as we have.

“Thirty Plain Traders have contributed financially, creatively and energetically to ensure visitors will be entertained and refreshed.

“The loss of the carnival on the Cowley Road only galvanised traders and residents.”

Although Cowley Road itself will not close for the event, many bars and shops are putting up stalls and barbecues on the pavement where they will not obstruct pedestrians.

Five roads will be partly closed: Dawson Street, Circus Street, Temple Street, Stockmore Street and Tyndale Road.

The event is also supported by bars and restaurants on St Clement’s Street.

A small-scale version of the Cowley Road carnival is also set to take place in South Park on July 5.

Ms Steinhauer said she had hopes for the activities to continue in years to come.

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk