Old Town launches Sunday Socials in response to road closure.
Friends of Old Town, the public face of the Old Town Business Association, has announced a bold new summer programme – the Old Town Gasworks Sunday Socials. The series of three large-scale street events across Devizes Road and Wood Street will bring music, food and footfall to the area this August. All helping to support businesses affected by the major gas mains upgrade.
It sure sounds like it’s going to be …. well … a gas!
Works began on 30 June at the Royal Oak roundabout. The full closure of Devizes Road starts from 21 July for an expected three-month period. The loss of through traffic and parking, coupled with uncertainty over the impact on trade, has prompted some concern among local businesses. In response, the OTBA has:
- Negotiated free pavement licences through Swindon Borough Council
- Secured a premises licence extension for Devizes Road …
- … and developed a street event plan to energise the street every other Sunday during the peak of the works in August.
The Sunday Socials will take place on 3rd, 17th and 31st August. Each date will see a themed event delivered straight on the closed stretch of road and Wood Street.
The opening weekend, 3rd August, is a family festival. It’ll feature funfair rides, children’s arts and crafts, chalk art installations and live acoustic music.
On 17 August, the road transforms into a beer & country (music) festival. There’ll be craft beer bars, outdoor games and a line-up of Americana and folk bands.
The final event, on 31 August, will expand Old Town’s much-loved street foods festival onto Devizes Road for the first time. It’ll be featuring global cuisine, live music, artisan traders and a carnival atmosphere.
Sponsorship support
Making the events possible is a headline sponsorship contribution from Wales and West Utilities.
When we learned Devizes Road would close for the whole of August, we knew we had to do more than complain, ‘said Kris Talikowski, Chair of the Old Town Business Association. ‘These Sunday Socials are about turning disruption into something worth coming out for. They’re designed to keep the area alive and thriving, not only for traders, but for the whole town. We’re grateful to Wales & West for recognising the impact of their works and stepping in with meaningful support.’
Ross Gregory, external affairs manager for Wales & West Utilities, said: ‘We understand the pressure roadworks can place on local high streets. That’s why we’re pleased to support this community-led programme of events. It’s a positive and creative way of keeping Old Town vibrant while we deliver vital gas infrastructure upgrades.’
The events form part of a wider strategy developed by the OTBA in consultation with:
- Businesses
- South Swindon Parish Council and …
- … Swindon Borough Council’s licensing and streetworks teams.
You can find a full FAQ about the works traffic management at thisisoldtown.com alongside details of the Sunday Socials programme.
For full information on the events: www.thisisoldtown.com/sundaysocials
