 Watlington High Street is changing.
As Bella Luce closes its doors after more than a decade of creativity and support for our independent business community, we have been given a unique opportunity. We have secured permission to temporarily use the shop windows while the unit is vacant. Rather than leaving such a prominent space empty, we want to turn it into something bold, uplifting and distinctly Watlington. We are inviting local artists to submit proposals for a window installation that celebrates Watlington and promotes Visit Watlington. The Opportunity This is not about filling an empty shopfront. It is about using one of the most visible positions on the High Street to:
The installation will remain in place for several months during the transition period. What we're looking for We are open to creative interpretation, but the design should be:
We welcome proposals across mediums including paint, vinyl, illustration, or mixed media, provided they are suitable for a public-facing window installation. Budget Up to £1,500 is available inclusive of design, materials and installation. Artists will be asked to submit a costed proposal. Who Can Apply? We are particularly keen to hear from:
How to Apply Please download the full artist brief below, which includes:
*Deadline Extended* Completed proposals should be submitted by: Sunday 29th March 2026 to [email protected]. Watlington is a small town with a big sense of identity. This is a chance to help shape how that identity is seen and experienced on the High Street. We look forward to seeing your ideas. Watlington Business Association Watlington High Street businesses recently met with Ant Parsons from ALP Synergy / Enterprise Oxfordshire to discuss the Helping High Streets programme and what it could mean for our town.
The session recognised a simple reality: running a High Street business is demanding. Time is limited, margins are tight and energy is often focused on day-to-day operations. The Helping High Streets programme is designed to offer practical, flexible support that works around those pressures. What is the programme? The Helping High Streets initiative provides:
The support model can be flexed to suit Watlington’s needs. However, the current funded phase of expert support must conclude by mid-April, so there is a limited window to engage. Further High Street support is expected beyond April, but details are not yet confirmed. What have we learned so far? Businesses that have already completed the diagnostic have contributed to an anonymised Strengths and Opportunities report for Watlington. The data, presented in a Radar Chart, gives a clear picture of where we are performing strongly and where there may be scope to improve. The more businesses that participate, the more accurate and useful this town-level insight becomes. It provides a shared evidence base for future collaboration and campaign planning. At the meeting, there was strong agreement that a follow-up session focused specifically on enhanced collaboration between Watlington businesses would be valuable. Why take part? Completing the diagnostic:
How to register High Street businesses can register via this short form: 👉 https://enterpriseoxfordshirebusiness.com/helping-high-streets/ Once registered, you will receive the link to complete the High Street diagnostic. From there, you can book onto online Spotlight sessions or arrange 1:1 meetings with Business Advisors. The Focus High Street advisors have particular expertise relevant to retail and town centre businesses. What happens next? We are encouraging as many Watlington businesses as possible to complete the diagnostic ahead of the next meeting. A further session will take place to discuss how we can use the insights to strengthen collaboration across the town. If you operate from a shop, office or venue on the High Street and have not yet registered, we strongly encourage you to do so. The more businesses that engage, the stronger Watlington’s collective position will be The Watlington Business Association is pleased to signal its full support for the town’s intention to bid for Town of Culture 2028 in the small town category.
This national competition is designed to recognise towns with a strong sense of identity and a compelling story to tell. The winning town in each category will receive £3 million to deliver a major cultural programme in 2028, with runners up awarded £250,000. Towns that progress beyond the initial Expression of Interest stage receive development funding to help shape a detailed bid over the summer. For Watlington, this is not about reinvention. It is about recognition. A town with cultural depth Watlington’s cultural life is broad, grassroots and community led. It spans:
Culture, in this context, is not limited to the arts. It is the lived experience of a place. It is how we gather, celebrate, debate, create and support one another. For a town of our size, the density of activity and participation is significant. The proposed bid aims to bring these strands together into a coherent narrative that reflects who we are and where we are heading. If you would like to read more about the emerging bid and the thinking behind it, you can view the recent coverage in the Henley Standard here: https://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/home/704170/town-with-story-to-tell-to-enter-culture-competition.html Why business engagement matters From the WBA’s perspective, this opportunity is strategically important. A successful bid would:
Cultural vitality and economic vitality are not separate conversations. They are deeply linked. Independent high streets thrive where there is energy, story and experience. What happens next An Expression of Interest must be submitted by the end of March 2026. If Watlington progresses, up to £60,000 will be available to develop a full bid over the summer, with delivery in 2028. At this stage, the ask is simple: broad engagement. The stronger and more representative the coalition behind the bid, the more credible it becomes. The Watlington Business Association encourages local businesses, creatives and organisations to get involved, contribute ideas and consider how they might participate if the bid progresses. This is an opportunity to articulate what makes Watlington distinctive and ambitious, and to do so together. We look forward to supporting the next steps and helping ensure the business community is an active partner from the outset. We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2026 Watlington Community Fund.
Thanks to the generosity of everyone who supported the Watlington Christmas Market raffle, £1,000 has been distributed to local community groups this year. Up to half of the raffle proceeds are awarded directly to community organisations, with the remaining funds helping to keep Watlington festive and welcoming during the darker months. We received a strong number of applications, reflecting the incredible breadth of voluntary activity in our town. After careful consideration, the following groups have been awarded funding: 🎯 The Hang Out The Hang Out provides vital support and safe space provision for young people in Watlington. Funding will help cover costs to ensure continued delivery of their sessions for local young people. 🎶 Watlington Concert Band The Concert Band will use the funding to purchase new music, helping them continue to entertain audiences across the town and enhance their repertoire for community performances. 📚 Friends of Watlington Library The award will support Friends of Watlington Library in delivering activities and initiatives that benefit library users and the wider community. 🎨 Watlington ARTWEEKS Funding will contribute towards replacement signage to help guide visitors to participating artists during Watlington ARTWEEKS, improving visibility and access for both artists and the public. ⛺ 2nd Watlington Scout Group The Scouts will use the funding to support equipment and activities for local young people, helping to ensure enriching experiences for the 60 children currently involved in the group. The quality of applications this year was exceptionally high, and we are grateful to every organisation that took the time to apply. The range of projects demonstrates just how active, creative and community-minded Watlington is. Thank you again to everyone who bought raffle tickets, donated prizes, or helped organise the Christmas Market. Your support makes this fund possible. If you would like to be involved in future events or support the work of the Watlington Business Association, please get in touch. Together, we are proud to support the people and projects that make Watlington such a special place to live. |
RSS Feed
Photography courtesy of Michael Wastell
© 2025 Watlington Business Association | We use cookies to make this site work and to improve how it’s used. Manage your preferences at any time via the link in our Privacy Policy