Regatta records set before it starts

HENLEY has been busy preparing for this year’s royal regatta.

More than 300,000 spectators are expected to visit the town during the six-day event, which will begin on Tuesday.

There will be a strong police presence with a mixture of neighbourhood and specialist teams and drones being deployed.

The weather is expected to be changeable with temperatures in the mid-twenties.

A record 771 entries from 27 countries have been submitted and there will a record 409 races.

Regatta chairman Sir Steve Redgrave said: “I am delighted to see record entry numbers at the regatta, which is set to have a real blend of youth and experience among the crews. We will see five male single scullers going head-to-head ahead of the Paris Olympics and this year is also a fantastic opportunity for under-23 crews to continue their development and test themselves against top-quality competition from around the world.”

Qualifying races will take place today (Friday) and the draw will be held at the town hall tomorrow.

Businesses in the town have been preparing for the influx of visitors with themed window displays and stocking up on merchandise.

These include Laurence menswear in Duke Street, Naughty Mutt Nice in Reading Road, Côte in Bell Street, Whistles in Bell Street and Wild & Rust in Duke Street.

Paul Carey, the town centre manager, said: “It is a good time for gifting and there are a lot of people participating in the races who want to buy a gift for their hosts. There are a lot of shops which are catering towards that.

“Businesses realise that the regatta is a good opportunity to put their best foot forward and do things slightly differently with updated window displays and stuff like that.”

Visitors are being urged to beware of unliensed taxis.

The only taxis that can operate legally in Henley are hackney carriages that have been licensed by South Oxfordshire District Council and vehicles licensed to carry out pre-arranged private hire bookings.

Drivers licensed outside South Oxfordshire will be operating illegally if they attempt to ply for hire in the town. Sixteen taxi drivers have been prosecuted after being caught illegally plying for hire in Henley during the regatta over the last three years.

Vivien Williams, interim head of legal and democratic at the district council, said: “With thousands of visitors expected in Henley, safety is our number one priority.

“We want to make sure that people know where the taxi ranks are and that private hire vehicles must be booked in advance and cannot be hailed in the street.

“We will again be carrying out checks throughout the event and will take a zero-tolerance approach. We won’t hesitate to prosecute anyone operating illegally.’’

Thames Side will be closed from its junction with Hart Street and Friday Street to allow for passengers to walk safely from Henley station to the regatta site. The intermittent closures will take place from 9am to 11pm from Tuesday to Sunday, July 2 to 7 and last about 10 minutes.

A diversion route will be in place using the following: Henley Bridge, Hart Street, Market Place, Gravel Hill, Paradise Road, Deanfield Avenue, Greys Road, Reading Road and Station Road.

No waiting, loading and unloading restrictions will be in place in Deanfield Avenue, Paradise Road from its junction with Gravel Hill and Deanfield Avenue, and Fair Mile for a distance of 400m north-westwards from a point of 125m from its junction with Leicester Close and Pearce’s Orchard.

There will be no waiting between 6am and 9pm in Thames Side, from Hart Street to Friday Street and no waiting, loading or unloading at any time in Greys Road between Duke Street and Deanfield Avenue.