Boost tourism with star appeal

AN entrepreneur from Henley has suggested installing a “walk of fame” to increase footfall and boost tourism.

Michael Hodges believes more should be done to celebrate notable residents past and present as well as the plethora of stars of sport, film and TV the town is known for.

He has contacted Henley Mayor Rory Hunt with the idea of embedding five-pointed star-shaped brass plaques into the pavement in Market Place.

This, he says, would create a Hollywood-themed walkway that would attract visitors and act as a boon for the local economy.

Mr Hodges, 64, who lives in Greys Hill, said: “It’s something I’ve had in mind for quite some time. There have been lots of discussions about Henley needing more footfall and, sometimes, I don’t think Henley celebrates itself particularly well.

“Henley is well connected with people, particularly sports people. So, for that reason, I thought our homegrown achievements need to be celebrated. We’ve got a lovely area now in the market place, with a lot of things going on there. It would be relatively easy to take up some of the existing paving stones and cut them, so you could set within them a plaque of some sort.

“Whether it is made of brass or something else, I don’t know, but it has got to be something which is durable and can just stay there.

“You could then have a leaflet available to anybody going to Henley which explains a little bit more about each individual and what it’s all about.”

Mr Hodges, who runs MPH Communications, a public relations firm in Station Road, said he was reminded of Henley’s “historical influence” when the former Red Lion Hotel in Hart Street was renamed Relais Henley in 2021.

He said: “The names of some of the hotel’s rooms are connected to figures from history including Charles I, who visited in 1632 and 1642 but it occurred to me when people visit now, how many know and appreciate just how much history there is here.”

Double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell, who rowed at Leander Club and lives in the town, said the plaques could be a great homage to Olympians and stars from the past, such as singer Dusty Springfield.

He said: “I’m very proud to be associated with Henley. The town has invested in our sport of rowing and us, and it makes rowing more exciting when there’s an invested interest and have always felt that [the people of] Henley are great supporters.

“I think having plaques would be a fantastic thing. I don’t think any rower would have a problem with it and you could have them for people from the arts and different sports, too. Henley has such a rich culture.

“It’s a great idea for Henley to recognise people who have achieved something while they were there, not just rowers but other people too.”

Three-time Olympian Miriam Luke, who was recognised in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List for services to women’s rowing, branded the idea as “lovely”.

She said: “It gives some recognition to the people who live in and around Henley. A lot of people travel here but don’t know about people who have dedicated their lives apart from people like our very famous Beatle, George Harrison. We have a lot of actors, filmmakers and singers, but a lot of people in the town too who have done historical things, so it should be a diverse group to represent that.”

Lead singer of Boney M, Liz Mitchell, who was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, said the idea was fun.

She said: “It sounds pretty exciting and quite fun and it would put Henley even more on the map. It made me smile and I think it’s not a bad idea, but it depends on how grand of an idea it is, I would be honoured because I am a local.”

Leander Club said the idea sounds like an “interesting way to celebrate Henley’s inspirational residents” and it would be keen to find out more if the project progresses.

A spokeswoman for the town council said: “The council are always happy to receive ideas from residents and visitors.

“If any ideas can be sent to the town hall, then they will go to the relevant committee — in this case, recreations and amenities, to be discussed.”