Retail Business
Cherwell has a strong retail sector. Banbury is a sub-regional destination, built around the Castle Quay Shopping Centre, and with a high proportion of independent and specialist retailers in its open and picturesque retail core. The already vibrant high street, will be enhanced further with the proposed pedestrianisation of Market Square and Parsons Street.
The proposed redevelopment of Bicester Town Centre, anchored by a significant new Sainsburys store with a cinema complex and a variety of shop units is progressing rapidly. It is expected to be completed by 2010 and the redevelopment of Wyevale Garden Centre will provide a retail location for outdoor and garden leisure.
Bicester is also home to Value Retail’s Bicester Village Designer Outlet, a major shopping destination bringing visitors from across the Home Counties and Overseas. Recently expanded, the third and final phase of its development will see expanded floor-space and multi-storey parking.
For those visitors looking for a more rural place to shop there is the small but vivacious village of Kidlington. Kidlington is the second largest village in the country, but it still manages to preserve that village feel with its modern shopping centre still containing many independent traders. The village also has a good number of cafés, restaurants and pubs in or near the centre.
Cherwell District Council has recognised the importance of retailing to its economy, and has committed resources to both urban regeneration and providing a suite of maintenance and management services.
Further Information
Bicester Village
http://www.bicestervillage.com/bicester/
Castle Quay, Banbury
http://www.castlequay.co.uk/
Cherwell District Council (Bicester Town Centre Scheme)
http://www.cherwell.gov.uk/planning/Bictowncentreredev.cfm
Wyevale (formerly Blooms of Bicester)
http://www.bloomsofbressingham.co.uk/stores/bicester.asp