TRADERS in one of Oxford’s trendiest shopping streets will get a boost when they stage their own street party.
Preparations are well under way for Mayfest, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6 when the street will be closed off for a major celebration.
The road will be closed off from noon, with stalls occupying the road, and the event is scheduled to run until 11pm.
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John Mair, from Jericho, came up with the idea of a street party to boost the street’s profile, and help traders when there are such challenging conditions on the high street.
A ‘revival’ committee, formed to look out for the interests of Little Clarendon Street, which runs between Walton Street and Woodstock Road, is already proving a success and has raised more than £3,000 to restore the overhead lights in the street and put up new hanging baskets.
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Committee members include local councillors, representatives of Somerville and University colleges and the majority of traders.
Committee chairman Mr Mair said: “The shops and restaurants will spill onto the street and there will be 25 stalls selling a wide variety of goods.
“There will be at least four street food sellers, and performances from two choirs and two bands.”
Mr Mair added he was delighted that traders, colleges, councillors and other community representatives have rallied to support Mayfest, after he proposed the party about 10 weeks ago.
There will be no charge for shoppers and other visitors who want to attend.
The street party is the latest boost for the Jericho area, which earlier this month featured in The Sunday Times’ list of best places to live in the South East.
The paper said Jericho’s first entry on the list was thanks to a style that was ‘anything but suburban'.
It added: “Away from the tourist throngs and prosaic chains in the city centre, the bohemian neighbourhood of Jericho, just to the north, is a self-contained haven.”
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Mr Mair said: “Maybe The Sunday Times is right about Jericho and Little Trendy Street.
“We are hoping the sunny weather is here to stay - everyone is looking forward to a fun day.”
Businesses supporting Mayfest include The Duke of Cambridge and Pierre Victoire restaurant.
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