Banbury businesses have launched a month-long event called Foodie February to encourage more people to visit the town centre. The Banbury BID is running the campaign throughout February 2026 to support local cafes, pubs and restaurants in Banbury, Oxfordshire, during a typically quiet time of year.
The promotion offers a range of deals for diners, including set menus and price cuts of up to 20% at participating venues listed in the Banbury BID’s official Food & Drink Guide. Some locations are also hosting events where visitors can meet local chefs and see how meals are prepared.
Organisers are using the event to help the high street recover and grow following Cherwell District Council’s move of its headquarters to Castle Quay on 31 March 2025. By offering these discounts, the business group wants to make the area a popular spot for lunch and dinner for both workers and residents.
To access the offers, people use the Banbury BID Privilege Card (available as a physical card and via the Privilege Card app), which tracks redemptions to provide data on the campaign’s economic impact. The campaign runs from 1 to 28 February 2026, with details and participating venues published by Banbury BID; Banbury Town Council maintains a separate events calendar for the year.
This initiative builds on earlier work when local business groups joined forces to help the hospitality industry cope with rising costs during the 2022 energy crisis. The Banbury Guardian reported on those coalitions forming in 2022 to support local trade and independent shops.
