If we’re encouraging people to visit, then careful thought has to be given to where the cars will ‘enter’ and ‘exit’ Witney and the route they will take to parking. Also, volume of expected visitors needs to be considered. Witney is fantastic in that it still has free car parks, but we don’t want to 1) put even more pressure on the double roundabout ‘entry’/‘exit to Witney, or 2) fill the car parks up every weekend, preventing local people from being unable to park to use the town.

Are there any of the old mills that haven’t been sold off for housing, that could be turned into a visitor attraction? It seems a shame that the heritage and history of the town that had the most potential to attract visitors, has almost completely disappeared. While it would require a significant investment, is there potential to recreate elements of an old working mill within an easy distance of the town?

There should be a moderated forum that local businesses and community groups are able to add their events to, if they have a login. This would allow visitors to see a list of activities that are happening during the day and evening all in one place.

Witney has some great markets and the weekly ones appear to be well attended. The Farmers market seems less well attended by both shoppers and traders and needs revitalising, along with creating other reasons to visit Witney on a Friday. Inspiration should be taken from other successful markets in the area as to what draws people to them. Eg what’s on offer at the market, as well as what to do after you have been shopping.

Are there sufficient easy transport links to other towns for those who don’t drive? Would an increase in visitors using that transport impact on local transport users? Are there coach parking facilities in the town if this did become a destination for day trippers?

Could more be made of walking routes in and around Witney? Perhaps 30 minute short walks for families, or longer circular walks that start and end in Witney. Can Witney be included as a ‘rest’ stop in other walks that start and end elsewhere?

If it’s coach trips, then what will they come for, where will they go? If it’s young family day trippers, what will they do all day? Where will they eat? If it’s long weekend holidayers, where will they stay, where will they eat and what will they do when they’re here? Could Witney be a rest stop for ramblers? Does it appear as such in published walks?