With the town having experienced one of the longest spells of warm weather in recent years, the team tackled a few unique challenges caused by the summer conditions, while also giving some of Newbury’s streets and public spaces a much-needed refresh.

One of the main tasks was cleaning areas where the warm weather had left pavements beneath trees particularly sticky. Volunteers looked at some of the worst patches around the Clock Tower and at points along Northbrook Street, giving them a thorough rinse and scrub.

A selection of volunteers pressure washed some of the dirtier areas around Toomers Wharf, and others headed off around the town centre to litter pick, clear weeds, wash bins, and remove old stickers, event posters and cable ties from lampposts.

The clean-up stretched across much of the town centre, covering areas along Northbrook Street, Oxford Street, The Broadway, London Road, Bartholomew Street, Market Place, Toomers Wharf, Canal Walk, Park Street, Albert Road, the Wharf and Peace Garden, Victoria Park, West Street and Northcroft Lane, as well as alleyways around the United Reformed Church and the Lock Stock & Barrel.

In total, volunteers collected 22 bags of rubbish, helping to make a visible difference across several areas of the town centre.

Newbury BID would like to extend a huge thank you to all the organisations and individuals who gave up their time to get involved, including:

• Newbury Building Society
• Elis Cleanroom
• The Vineyard
• T{h}onix
• Newbury Rotary
• PALS
• and members of the public for generously helping out!

A further thank you goes to West Berkshire Council for providing additional cleaning and safety equipment, and for arranging collection of all the bin bags.

The Community Clean-Up forms part of Newbury BID’s wider commitment to helping keep the town centre looking its best and creating a welcoming environment for businesses, residents and visitors.

With Newbury BID heading to ballot next month, one of the organisation’s ambitions for its proposed fourth term is to build on this work by hosting more regular community clean-up events across the town centre.

You can click here to learn more about Newbury BID’s plans for the next five years, including its proposed projects and initiatives.

If you would like to get involved in a future Community Clean-Up, please email info@newburybid.com to register your interest, and the Newbury BID team will be in touch once the next date is confirmed.

The post Newbury BID and volunteers come together for August’s Community Clean-Up first appeared on Visit Newbury.

The Business Plan has been developed through consultation with local businesses and covers the projects that Newbury BID aims to deliver on behalf of the local business community through a ring-fenced investment of over £1.6 million, all of which will directly impact and benefit Newbury town centre.

Newbury BID was founded in 2012 and is currently in the final year of its third term. The organisation operates as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, run by a small team and governed by a Board of volunteer directors – all of whom work within the local business community and give up their time for free.

Business Improvement Districts are funded by a levy paid by all eligible businesses within the BID area, and BIDs must hold a ballot process ahead every 5 years to give levy-paying businesses the opportunity to vote the BID in for a new 5 year term.

Over the last 5 years, the Newbury BID team is immensely proud to have delivered a range of projects that have supported and enhanced the economic vitality of Newbury town centre.

These include organising some of Newbury’s largest free to attend events, including Krazy Races, the Italian Auto Moto Festival, the annual Christmas Lights Switch On, monthly Artisan Markets and quarterly Antique & Vintage Street Markets. All of these events are designed to offer something unique to Newbury’s local events calendar and enhance the visitor experience, encouraging visitors into the town centre and right to the doorstep of BID businesses.

Newbury BID also operates the Visit Newbury brand, one of the largest local, freely accessible platforms that champions the town and highlights upcoming events, local attractions and the latest business news, updates and offers. It also organises the annual Christmas lighting throughout the town centre along with the Christmas Tree in Market Place, and played a key role in bringing Paddington to Newbury to celebrate the town’s heritage as the birthplace of Michael Bond OBE.

For additional business support, Newbury BID employs a full-time BID Ambassador to support local retailers with issues ranging from shoplifting to antisocial behaviour, funds crime and information sharing tools, subsidises the Town Centre Radio scheme, and is a key partner in managing the Newbury town centre CCTV system.

Key priorities for Newbury BID in the new term will be increasing the BID Ambassor cover to 7 days a week, continuing to run large-scale free-to-attend events, bringing back smaller trails to support footfall into businesses, running targeted marketing campaigns to reach new visitors both nationally and internationally, and leading on a new Shopwatch scheme to further support local retailers.

Ian Batho, owner of Cow & Cask micropub and Chair of Newbury BID, says: “As we come to the end of Newbury BID’s third term, this new Business Plan is a chance for us to reflect on all of the fantastic work Newbury BID has delivered over the last 5 years, and to look ahead to the new term where the current BID team will continue to improve on the great work the organisation has achieved for Newbury.

From some of the town’s biggest-ever events, including the annual Christmas Lights Switch On weekends and Newbury’s very first Soapbox Derby, to many more popular events like the Artisan Market, Antique & Vintage market and the Italian Auto Moto Festival, Newbury BID has certainly delivered on its remit of encouraging people into the town centre.

Within the last year Newbury BID has also brought in the BID Ambassador scheme to help deter retail crime and anti-social behaviour. This has been so positively received by the local business community. In a new term we are looking to expand this cover to 7 days a week, to further support local businesses.

It is hard to imagine our town continuing to thrive as it does without Newbury BID acting as the voice for local businesses, and promoting the town through its Visit Newbury brand.”

Richard Farley, Newbury BID Manager, adds: “2027-2032 will be Newbury BID’s fourth term and it has grown from strength to strength. We want to continue this brilliant work and make it even better for everyone. Whether you are a small family business, National brand, professional service, local resident or visitor, we want Newbury to be the place to live, visit and work.”

The ballot will take place as a four-week postal vote, running from 11th September 2026 to 8th October 2026.

You can read the full 2027-2032 Business Plan and find full details on the ballot process and timeline at visitnewbury.org.uk/about/bid-ballot.

The post Newbury BID launches 2027-2032 Business Plan ahead of Term 4 ballot first appeared on Visit Newbury.

Following a hugely successful debut event last summer, this year’s event returned bigger and better than ever, running alongside Newbury’s popular Artisan Market and an even wider programme of family entertainment.

Alongside all the action on track, visitors had the chance to meet Paddington throughout the day, celebrating Newbury’s proud connection with the beloved bear, as author Michael Bond was born less than half a mile from the racetrack.

Sadly, the planned Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast had to be cancelled because of poor weather conditions, but fortunately the sun stayed out in Newbury and visitors were treated to beautiful weather throughout the day.

The event also supported headline charity partner Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, a local charity that supports the area’s vibrant charitable sector while also delivering Newbury’s Shopmobility, Community Car and Newbury and Thatcham’s Handybus services.

Volunteer Centre West Berkshire partnered up with other local charities and community groups to run Carnival Alley, where visitors could pick up refreshments, have their face painted, test their skills and win prizes though traditional carnival games, all while supporting great local causes.

Teams first battled it out across a series of timed runs before the fastest five returned to the track in the afternoon to compete in a thrilling final shootout. The day concluded with an awards ceremony in the Pit Area, recognising everything from creative kart design and crowd favourites through to the fastest teams on the course.

Here is the full list of winners:

• The Team of Teams Award: PALS
• Public Vote Award: Lincolnshire Rough Ashlars
• Best Krazy designed Kart: Scott Waters Racing
• Best Performance Award: PALS
• 3rd Place: Lincolnshire Rough Ashlars
• 2nd Place: The Rectory Clinic
• 1st Place: Newbury Velo

The event was brought back to the town by Newbury Business Improvement District, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company that is funded by town centre businesses.

Newbury BID supports local businesses through events, marketing, business support initiatives and town centre improvements, with free public events playing a key role in driving footfall into Newbury.

Ben Beardmore-Gray, Marketing Manager at Newbury BID says: “Krazy Races has once again delivered an unforgettable day out in Newbury, and we were delighted to see so many people enjoying everything the day had to offer across both Krazy Races and the Artisan Market. We would like to say a huge thank you to every team, volunteer, partner and everyone at Krazy Races, Renartgades and the Artisan Market for helping make the day such a success!”

Rachel Peters, CEO of Volunteer Centre West Berkshire added: “We were incredibly proud to serve as the headline charity for Krazy Races 2026. The event was a fantastic celebration of community spirit, bringing together local charities, businesses, volunteers and residents in a fun and engaging way. Carnival Alley gave us a wonderful opportunity to showcase the vital support available across West Berkshire, and we’re grateful to everyone who helped make the day such a memorable success.”

If you are looking for your next big day out, explore what’s coming up across Newbury and West Berkshire on our Visit Newbury events calendar.

The post Thousands enjoy return of Newbury BID Krazy Races alongside Artisan Market and a special visit from Paddington first appeared on Visit Newbury.

Following a hugely successful debut in 2025, which attracted more than 26,000 visitors, Newbury BID has once again partnered with Krazy Races to bring the thrilling soapbox derby back to Newbury, promising even more entertainment both on and off the course.

With 15 teams now confirmed, team entries have officially closed, and organisers are preparing for another spectacular day of outrageous soapbox creations, daring downhill racing and unforgettable entertainment.

In an exciting announcement for this year’s event, visitors will be treated to a special flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Following the success of similar flyovers at previous Krazy Races events, the commemorative flight will provide a memorable moment during the day, and a historic Dakota is scheduled to fly over the event at around 1pm.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight preserves and flies some of the RAF’s most iconic historic aircraft in tribute to those who served during the Second World War.

Families will also have the opportunity to meet one of Britain’s best-loved characters, with the iconic Paddington making special appearances throughout the event. Paddington will be meeting visitors across the day, providing plenty of opportunities for photographs and adding even more family fun to an already action-packed programme.

Alongside these exciting new additions, this year’s Krazy Races also takes place alongside Newbury’s popular Artisan Market, where talented local makers set up along Northbrook Street, Mansion House Street and Market Place.

The much-loved racecourse will once again begin at Strawberry Hill / Old Bath Road roundabout, before racing down Oxford Street and finishing at The Broadway beside the Clock Tower. Teams from local businesses, charities and community organisations will tackle, obstacles and tight corners in their handcrafted soapboxes, all while competing for a range of awards.

Visitors are also encouraged to meet the teams in the Pit Area, enjoy fun activities with local charities in Carnival Alley, and explore the vibrant Event Village, featuring food and drink, entertainment and family fun.

Ben Beardmore-Gray, Marketing Manager at Newbury BID, said:

“We’ve been counting down the days until Krazy Races returns to Newbury after such a fantastic debut last summer. This year’s event promises even more fun, creativity and excitement, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors from across Berkshire and beyond for another unforgettable free event!”

Danny Scoffin, Head of Brand for Krazy Races and Newbury commentator, added:

“Every year we challenge ourselves to make each Krazy Races event even more spectacular and Newbury is no exception. The racing will be bigger than ever and adding both the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Paddington gives visitors even more reasons to spend the whole day in the town.

The response from teams and the local community has once again been fantastic and we know Newbury is going to deliver another incredible atmosphere. This year, I’m especially excited to be stepping out from behind the scenes and taking on the role of compère and host. Newbury will be my 23rd Krazy Races event and over the years I’ve seen more than 500 incredible soapboxes take to the course.

I can’t wait to meet all of this year’s teams, put them through their paces on the start line and get the Newbury crowd involved too. I’ll be asking our fantastic spectators to help decide who deserves to take home the Best Performance Award, so everyone will have the chance to play their part in crowning one of this year’s winners.”

With thousands of spectators expected to line the streets once again, Newbury BID Krazy Races 2026 is set to be one of the biggest dates in the town’s events calendar, combining high-speed racing, family entertainment, historic aviation and unforgettable moments for visitors of all ages.

The free event takes place on Sunday 26th July, with activities running throughout the day. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the full programme of entertainment.

Event Schedule

• 10:45am – Official Opening Procession
• 11:00am – Morning Racing
• 1:00pm – Lunch Break
• 2:00pm – Afternoon Racing
• 3:00pm – Third Run
• 3:30pm – Fastest Five Final
• 4:00pm – Prize Giving & Awards Ceremony

Meet Paddington
Paddington will be appearing beside the Clock Tower at the following times:

• 11:00am
• 12:00pm
• 1:00pm
• 2:00pm
• 3:00pm

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight: Dakota Flyover

• Scheduled for between 1pm and 1:30pm, although timings may vary slightly on the day!

Artisan Market

• 10am – 5pm

The post Newbury BID Krazy Races returns with Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Paddington first appeared on Visit Newbury.

From historic landmarks and beautiful countryside to festivals, attractions, food and drink, shopping and family days out, Visit Berkshire will showcase the very best experiences from across the county, helping more people discover everything Berkshire has to offer.

The new @VisitBerkshireUK Facebook and Instagram channels have been created through a partnership between organisations across Berkshire, bringing together local knowledge, visitor information and inspiring content from destinations throughout the county.

For Newbury and West Berkshire, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to introduce our attractions, events, independent businesses and beautiful landscapes to an even wider audience.

You can follow Visit Berkshire on Facebook and Instagram by searching for @VisitBerkshireUK.

If you’re involved in organising events, running an attraction or sharing great stories from around Berkshire, don’t forget to tag @VisitBerkshireUK and use #VisitBerkshire to help the team discover and share your content.

The project has been developed with support from partners across Berkshire, including Visit Newbury, West Berkshire Council, The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Visit Windsor, Bracknell Forest Council, Wokingham Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, Reading Borough Council and Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency, with guidance from VisitEngland.

We can’t wait to see the new channels grow and help even more people discover the incredible places, events and experiences that can be found right here in Berkshire.

If you’d like to know more about Visit Berkshire or how to get involved, please email: business@rbwm.gov.uk

The post Visit Berkshire launches new social media channels celebrating the Royal County first appeared on Visit Newbury.

Northbrook Street provided the perfect backdrop for an impressive display of vehicles, ranging from beautifully restored classics to modern-day performance cars. Visitors had the chance to admire some of Italy’s most celebrated automotive brands, while meeting vehicle owners and fellow enthusiasts.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the vehicle owners who proudly displayed their cars and motorcycles as part of the event. We were delighted to see so many unique and beautiful vehicles taking part!

A special thank you also goes to the Italian AutoMoto Club and Newbury Lions Club for working with us to bring this free event back to the town for a second year. The festival continues to raise funds in support of the Lions Club and the valuable work they do within our local community.

With another successful event now complete, there’s plenty more to look forward to in Newbury over the coming weeks. Next up is the Antique & Vintage Street Market, which returns to Northbrook Street on Sunday 14th June, bringing traders and collectors from across the region to the heart of Newbury town centre.

Learn more about all upcoming events on our local events calendar: visitnewbury.org.uk/events

The post Italian Auto Moto Festival returns to Newbury for a successful second year first appeared on Visit Newbury.

If you’ve popped into the bakery over the last few days, you may already have spotted the beautiful new orange tree mural inside the bakery. The artwork was commissioned to celebrate Newbury’s connection to Michael Bond, creator of Paddington Bear, and GAIL’s worked with two local artists, Samantha Clarke and Anna Lawrence, to bring the idea to life.

Samantha is a seasoned upcycler who runs Restyled By SLC in The Arcade, just over the road from GAIL’s. Anna hosts step-by-step painting workshops to help people embrace their inner creativity, alongside a busy job running the The Swan Inn in Newtown!

It’s all part of a lovely new initiative from GAIL’s to embrace the culture and heritage of the communities surrounding each of their bakeries, and we absolutely love this thoughtful addition to Newbury town centre.

To mark the launch of the mural, GAIL’s will also be hosting a handful of family-friendly activities and giveaways throughout the May half term week.

On Wednesday 27th May, the bakery is holding a free storytelling session where Rosemary Flower, a volunteer Newbury Library, will be sharing some Paddington stories between 10am and 10:30am. Sounds perfect if you’re looking for something relaxed to do with little ones during the school break!

There’s a special treat for grown-ups on Thursday 28th May, as customers purchasing GAIL’s Marmalade will receive a free loaf of GAIL’s Sourdough (available while stocks last, so we’d suggest getting in early!).

Younger visitors are also invited to get stuck in with themed colouring sheets throughout the week, and if you’re out and about in the town centre during half term, keep an eye out for the GAIL’s team handing out marmalade sandwich tasters.

We’d love to see any photos you take in front of the mural so please do tag @visitnewbury and @gailsbakery in any images you share!

What a lovely example of a national brand celebrating local heritage and bringing something a little different to the town centre this half term.

The post GAIL’s Bakery partners with local artists for new mural first appeared on Visit Newbury.

The statue celebrates Newbury’s connection to Paddington’s creator, Michael Bond, who was born in West Mills, just a short stroll from Newbury town centre. You can find Paddington sitting proudly on his bench outside Camp Hopson on Northbrook Street.

We had planned to give Paddington a quick touch up earlier in the year, but some unpredictable spring weather put those plans on hold. Thankfully, a beautiful sunny morning gave us the chance to head out and give Paddington a little TLC, just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend and school break.

Thank you so much to Teresa from No 96 Home & Gifts, a lovely independent store on Northbrook Street, for helping us with the painting – it’s always best to trust someone who knows their way around a paintbrush!

There’s plenty to do in Newbury town centre over the coming week, especially if you have little ones to entertain over the school break. Don’t forget, you can find details for many half term events, clubs and activities here on our local events calendar.

While you are out enjoying the town centre events, we’d love to see any photos you take with Paddington! You can tag us in any photos you share on social media by using the tag @visitnewbury on Facebook or Instagram.

The post Paddington is looking his best as Newbury heads into half term! first appeared on Visit Newbury.

From 9:30am, Northbrook Street will be lined with iconic Italian vehicles, ranging from vintage classics to modern-day supercars. Last year’s event brought beautiful Italian vehicles spanning 101 years of automotive history to the heart of Newbury, and we can’t wait to see returning exhibitors and brand new vehicles this summer.

The event is organised in partnership by Italian AutoMoto Club, Newbury BID and local charity Newbury Lions Club, offering an exciting free day out for locals and visitors of all ages. The event also coincides with the monthly Farmers Market in Market Place.

While you visit, why not plan ahead and book in to one of the town centre’s charming restaurants, take a quick pit stop for a coffee and cake, or browse from Newbury’s wonderful selection of independent retailers and national brands.

Any vehicle owners interested in exhibiting their Italian vehicles can click here to sign up (£10 per car, £5 per bike). Funds raised will support Newbury Lions’ important work in the local area.

Stay up to date with the latest event details by following @visitnewbury on social media.

The post Italian Auto Moto Festival returning for a second year first appeared on Visit Newbury.

Shaw House has stood on the north edge of Newbury since 1581. It has welcomed both Tudor and Stuart royalty, been the site of an English Civil War battle, survived both World Wars and schooled generations of local children. With the changes of ownership and use of the House over the centuries, the original contents were sold off in 1905 and 1945, leaving the rooms empty for more practical uses as a school and, more recently, as a conference and meetings venue.

From 1 April 2026, visitors can explore the newly dressed rooms and find out about the historical significance of the House. Each room will represent a different era of history with influences from the Tudor, Stuart, Georgian and Edwardian periods, along with interpretations of family life at Shaw House on display, helping visitors to step back in time and connect with our local heritage in fresh and engaging ways.

Councillor Nigel Foot, West Berkshire’s Executive Member for Leisure, Sport and Countryside, said:

“Shaw House is one of West Berkshire’s most treasured heritage sites, and this new visitor experience will bring its remarkable history to life in an exciting and accessible way.

“We’re incredibly proud to showcase four centuries of stories, craftsmanship and character, and to enhance the gardens and facilities for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a regular visitor or discovering Shaw House for the first time, there has never been a better time to explore this wonderful place.”

Visitors can also access the special exhibitions ‘Dressed for Battle’ displaying English Civil War arms and armour on loan from the Royal Armouries, and our ‘Dressed for Shaw’ display with replica costumes highlighting the changing fashions through time.

The garden will see further improvements to complement the Tudor Garden, which opened in March 2025. The next phase of the work will include a rose garden to replicate the gardens which were originally depicted in Country Life magazine in 1910, and further development of the Community Garden area. The house and garden improvements will be delivered with thanks to funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

A new accessible playground funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is also planned to be in place by summer 2026.

New entry fees will be introduced from Wednesday, 1 April, allowing visitors to take a self-guided tour of the exhibition rooms (£9 for adults and £6 for children) and concessions, with a special rate of £6 for West Berkshire residents. Entry to the gardens and playground area will remain free of charge for everyone, ensuring Shaw House continues to be a welcoming space for the whole community to enjoy. The café and gift shop are open to all visitors, including anyone using the gardens or playground.

Guided tours will also be available to book from £12 per person. For more information, please email shawhouse@westberks.gov.uk.

To learn more, visit the West Berkshire Heritage website: www.westberkshireheritage.org/shaw-house

The post Bringing history to life at Shaw House first appeared on Visit Newbury.