The Museum plays a vital role in Banbury’s identity, attracting over 100,000 visitors each year and contributing significantly to local footfall, tourism and economic activity. It also provides educational opportunities, community engagement and cultural enrichment that benefit residents, visitors and businesses alike.

Following discussions around potential changes to funding arrangements, the Chamber wrote to the Council to express the business community’s strong support for the Museum and to encourage collaborative solutions that help secure its long-term sustainability.

Since the consultation was launched, there has been significant community engagement, including a public petition calling for alternative funding solutions:  https://www.change.org/p/save-banbury-museum-and-gallery-urge-cherwell-to-source-alternative-funding

Subsequent reporting by the BBC highlighted that the Council has since reviewed its initial proposals, effectively softening its original plans to withdraw funding. The updated proposal would maintain current funding levels in the next financial year, followed by a phased reduction over future years.

You can read the full BBC article here:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crrnpvvv074o

While challenges remain across the cultural sector, this development demonstrates the importance of community engagement and collaborative dialogue between stakeholders.

Banbury Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with partners across the town and support initiatives that strengthen Banbury as a vibrant place to live, work and visit.

Dear Gordon,

On behalf of Banbury Chamber of Commerce, I am writing to express our concern regarding the future of Banbury Museum & Gallery, following recent discussions around potential changes to its funding arrangements.

As the voice of the local business community, the Chamber strongly supports initiatives that strengthen Banbury’s town centre, increase footfall and reinforce the town’s identity as a place to live, work and visit. In this context, the Museum is a vital asset and a much-loved destination, serving both residents and visitors alike. Its contribution to regeneration, community wellbeing and economic vitality closely aligns with the objectives set out in the Council’s cultural ambitions for Banbury.

The Banbury 2050 consultation clearly demonstrated the town’s strong connection to its heritage and culture. The Museum embodies these values and plays a central role in bringing them to life, providing a source of civic pride and a focal point for community engagement.

From an economic perspective, the potential loss of the Museum would be significant. With around 100,000 visits each year, it plays an important role in sustaining footfall in the town centre and supporting linked retail, hospitality and leisure spend. Its exhibitions, learning programmes and community events also attract partnerships and visitors to Banbury as a destination, reinforcing the town’s wider offer and reputation.

The Chamber also recognises the Museum’s strong leadership and success in securing external investment for capital improvements and exhibitions. This level of funding, which would be extremely difficult to replace through public means alone, represents a substantial net gain for Banbury and reflects the ambition we collectively hold for the town.

We fully acknowledge the financial pressures facing local authorities and appreciate the difficult decisions that must be made. However, the risk of the Museum losing core funding, and the resulting prospect of closure within the next two years, would represent a permanent and damaging loss to Banbury’s town centre and the wider community it serves. Once lost, this asset cannot simply be reinstated.

In that context, we would welcome an understanding of whether alternative approaches have been explored, such as phased funding reductions, targeted grant support, or other compromises that could help bridge the gap while longer-term solutions are developed. The Chamber believes there is an opportunity for constructive partnership working between the Council, the Museum Trust and key stakeholders to identify a sustainable way forward.

We are keen to work collaboratively and to support a solution that protects this important institution while recognising financial realities. We hope the Council will continue to engage openly with partners across the town to ensure Banbury Museum & Gallery remains an active contributor to Banbury’s future success, particularly at a time when the town is seeking to build confidence and momentum through change and investment.

Yours sincerely,

Derek Hettenbach
Chairman
Banbury Chamber of Commerce
With the full support of the Board of Directors