Banbury BID is set to reveal a major new public art installation that celebrates the town’s past, present, and vibrant future through the eyes of its youngest residents and its most beloved pets.
Members of the public, local families, and media are invited to attend the grand unveiling of Banbury Futures: A Happy Space on Thursday 30th July 2026 at 12:15 PM at “The Pink Wall” (located in the former M&S corridor) inside Castle Quay Shopping Centre.
Community Collaboration
Commissioned by Chiltern Railways and led by Banbury BID, the project brought together Year 6 primary school pupils to work alongside internationally acclaimed creative directors David Thomas and Vicki Fong of ThomFong Design Studio. Through interactive workshops, pupils explored what makes a space feel “happy” and translated their visions for Banbury’s future into original artwork, bold colour palettes, and creative concepts.
The creative journey took an unexpected turn following a social media call-out for local dog owners. The response from the Banbury community was overwhelming, resulting in the design team successfully integrating 155 local dogs directly into the final mural alongside the children’s artwork.
Join Us for the Unveiling
The official launch event will mark the first time the completed artwork and accompanying promotional video will be revealed to the public.
Date: Thursday 30th July 2026
Time: 12:15 PM onwards
Location: “The Pink Wall” (Former M&S Corridor), Castle Quay Shopping Centre, Banbury
Open to all (well behaved dogs on leads very welcome!)
Attendees will have the opportunity to see the transformed space, meet the creative team behind the project, and spot their own pets and pupils on the wall. Representatives from Banbury BID, Chiltern Railways, participating schools, guest speakers, and local pet owners will all be in attendance to celebrate this lasting legacy for Castle Quay.
Press, photographers are invited to attend the event. Dedicated photo, filming, and interview opportunities will be available with the designers, project partners, school groups, and local dog owners.