Murder, money and the ‘Barnaby effect’

MIDSOMER Murders, the eccentrically British TV detective series, is now so famous that it is has been dubbed into many languages and is televised in 100 countries and to 6 million people around the world.

Frequently filmed in the attractive market towns and villages of South Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, the locations themselves, including Thame, are becoming big business, finding themselves on the tourist trails of an increasing number of foreigners wanting to come and see for themselves where ‘murders’ were committed and DCI Barnaby and his team searched for the clues that would lead to their perpetrators meeting justice.

Now Thame is set to capitalize on this growing visitor trend by attempting to up-grade its welcome for the curious visitors and steer them towards the town’s independent shops, historic attractions, eateries and pubs where hopefully they will spend their money.

Following a review by Consultant Sarah Osborne, of the Information Centre situated at Thame Town Hall , a complete facelift of the entrance and interior of the centre is to be undertaken to improve its attractiveness and facilities, and a Midsomer Murders Trail leaflet produced to guide the visitor around the filming locations in and around Thame.

The old Market House in Montesson Square in the Upper High Street, now the Citizens Advice Bureau for instance, became Midsomer Life newspaper in the episode Midsomer Life, although Barnaby and Jones exit through the iron arch of the public toilets! It also appears as Causton library in Vixens Run.

According to Sarah Osborn’s research, 4 – 6 coaches a week turned up at the Six Bells pub in Warborough, last summer, and on average two a week visited Wallingford. Five coach loads on the Midsomer Trail are known to have visited Thame last September and Sarah believes that there is huge potential for Thame to take advantage of this growing trend to increase footfall to the town and therefore contribute to its economy. One tour company is already incorporating tea at Rumseys on its tour.

So Thame’s independent shops, its local accommodation, restaurants and pubs will now, no doubt, be looking to work with business groups, the town council and the district council, who are to provide some of the funding for the project, to make the most of our beautiful town and jump on the bandwagon of the Midsomer Murders, or Barnaby effect to the benefit of all.