7:00am Saturday 21st November 2009
By Chris Walker
ORGANISERS of Oxford’s Cowley Road Carnival have told traders they need to put their hands in their pockets if they want the event to return to their street.
Last year the popular party, which attracted around 30,000 revellers, had to be moved away from the road and into South Park.
The move followed a cash fortfall brought on by the ending of government funding and difficulties attracting replacement cash at short notice.
Many traders complained they suffered a significant drop in trade when the carnival – the county’s largest community event – transferred to the park.
Now they have been told they need to raise £30,000 – around £250-£300 per business – to help return the event to the street.
Organisers estimate it will cost them £150,000 to stage a dual event in Cowley Road and South Park in 2010.
However, the 10 unpaid volunteers who now co-ordinate the event have a financial hole to plug, as they do not have the government funding that former organisers East Oxford Action enjoyed.
One of the organsiers, Zaheer Qureshi, said: “Like so many people in East Oxford, we are very keen to have the carnival back in Cowley Road, but at the moment we simply do not have the financial resources to commit to this.
“In the current economic climate, public funding is scarce, but we have to find the money from somewhere.
“Many Cowley Road traders see Carnival as a major event for their businesses, as they can benefit enormously from the crowds it attracts. So we are appealing to those traders to commit to some upfront investment.
“It’s up to the Cowley Road traders – if they really value Cowley Road Carnival, they have to be prepared to share in its cost and commit to making a contribution at this planning stage.”
Trustees have lodged a bid for £10,000 of funding from the city council and are preparing an application for £50,000 from the Arts Council. Further donations will also be sought.
Last year’s Carnival in the Park received almost £15,000 from traders, some of whom agreed to donate half their takings to the event. And organisers need similar backing from traders.
Andrew Koumi who runs The Excelsior Cafe, in Cowley Road, said he would donate £500.
He added: “We will put money in to bring the carnival back to Cowley Road, and all the traders should help with what they can afford.”
Mohammed Mehrban, who owns Eastern and Continental greengrocers, estimates he takes around £200 less on carnival day as regular customers cannot get to his shop. However, he still pledged to contribute £250.
He said: “Even if we lose out we’re happy, because it’s fun.”
Abdul-Halim Shorkar, who owns the First Floor Restaurant, pledged at least £300.
More than 140 businesses in Cowley Road have been invited to attend one of two meetings at the St Clement’s Family Centre in Cross Street on Wednesday.
The first meeting runs from 2pm to 4pm with a second meeting scheduled for 6pm to 8pm.
cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk
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