Archived press release

Date Published: 01/05/07

Shoppers and visitors to Aylesbury town centre can look forward to a host of new events over the next year. Building on the programme of events already planned for this year, a further £53,000 has been allocated to spend on entertainments a...

Shoppers and visitors to Aylesbury town centre can look forward to a host of new events over the next year.

Building on the programme of events already planned for this year, a further £53,000 has been allocated to spend on entertainments and activities in the town centre.

The Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership, who are responsible for organising and overseeing the activities, received the additional funding from AVDC to help attract more people into the town centre and improve the shopping experience for residents and visitors alike.

Almost every second weekend there will be something exciting happening in Market Square or Kingsbury in the form of events ranging from specialist markets and themed fairs to children’s activities such as climbing and ice skating.

The additional events will be aimed at encouraging more families into the town. Special activities such as pancake races and Easter Egg hunts are planned, plus live music, street theatre and a Big Top Circus themed event.

Aylesbury town centre is host to a wide variety of entertainments and activities each year. The Roald Dahl Festival brings a carnival atmosphere to the town in the summer and continental and farmers’ markets boost the shopping offer, while seasonal celebrations range from traditional dancing on St George’s Day to Santa’s parade at Christmas.

Norman Skedge, Director of Environment and Planning at AVDC, said: “The council is committed to improving entertainments and activities for people who live in and visit the district and we are confident the new town centre events programme will be a great success. Free entertainment will help to attract people into the town centre, benefiting local shops and restaurants and keeping the town busy in spite of some inevitable disruption during work on the Waterside scheme.”

Roger Simmons, Chairman of Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership, said: “Town centre events are important to attract new visitors, add fun and offer an ‘experience’ to existing shoppers. The events we have planned are set to capture the hearts and minds of residents and visitors alike and will help boost the local economy by encouraging more people to shop in the town centre and take pride in the area.”

The next event in the town centre is ‘Robot Wars’ on Sunday 13 May. Spectators will be able to witness the carnage of robots fighting it out in an arena set up in Kingsbury square. Other activities planned for the summer include the Roald Dahl Festival, the Aylesbury Summer Celebration and Hobble on the Cobbles.

For more information on town centre events, visit www.aylesburyvibe.info or call 01296 585880.