WALLINGFORD civic leaders are hoping to brighten up the town by hosting events almost every weekend for a whole year in the Market Place.

Town councillors have agreed on a new Market Place policy, which they hope will make it easier for event organisers and markets to book the space.

Mayor Lynda Atkins said she hoped the policy, signed off on October 7, would ensure there were activities taking place on as many weekends as possible that would benefit businesses and the town as a whole.

The council has now invited market organisers, community groups and charities to apply to use the space in the best ways possible throughout 2016.

The council will consider the applications and put together what it hopes will be a lively, entertaining and vibrant calendar of eventst.

Our top stories

Ms Atkins said: “We want our market place, as well as our other properties and open spaces, to be used in ways that help to promote the town, support the community and attract residents and visitors to the town centre.

“We’re really lucky to have the range of events and markets in the town that we do.

"We want to make sure that the community and businesses can benefit every weekend from the buzz that is created by them.”

Wallingford Market Place already hosts a wide variety of annual events, including the BunkFest folk and beer festival, which spills out from the Kinecroft park into town centre streets each autumn. It also hosts the annual Mayor’s parade in June, and the town council often invites troops of nearby RAF Benson to exercise their Freedom of the town by marching through it.

Wallingford Car Rally in May sees more than 250 classic and custom cars parade through the town centre, Wallingford Carnival in June attracts thousands as does the Christmas Extravaganza in December.

First Edition gift shop manager Elaine Hornsby, who is a member of Wallingford in Business, welcomed the town council’s intentions but warned that hosting more events would not guarantee a boost for businesses.

She said: “Some events bring a lot of people into the town but don’t necessarily bring them into the shops."

But she added: “This could be a great opportunity for the town and I look forward to it being successful.”

Event organisers should call Kate Rayner on 07801 203575 or email kate.rayner@southandvale.gov.uk by November 4.

Policy details can be downloaded from wallingford.co.uk