A GROUP working to keep Bicester thriving and attract business and investment to the town is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Bicester Vision is an independent group which was set up a decade ago to help bring together local businesses, residents and local government representatives to help make the town better.

The group this month celebrate a decade of dedicated work in helping Bicester develop.

The partnership welcomed all its members, including local businesses and residents, to a special event marking the anniversary and debated what is coming up over the next decade for the town.

The milestone event was held at Brethertons offices in Bicester town centre, with more than 75 people heading along.

Those who attended included businesspeople, all three tiers of local government, the Local Enterprise Partnership, residents and the Bicester Chamber of Commerce.

A drinks reception welcomed at the start of the special celebration before an interactive panel discussion was held later in the evening.

Opening remarks from previous chairman Adrian Shooter and Bob Langton, shadow chairman at Banbury Museum Trust, congratulated Bicester Vision on its work to date.

Over the past decade, Bicester has been subject to a huge amount of growth, including work starting on the 6,000 home eco town in North West Bicester, as well as more than 2,450 homes being built at Kingsmere.

Elsewhere there was a major renovation of the town centre in a bid to increase footfall and create more opportunities for new activities.

The town centre overhaul include creating Crown Walk with a number of new boutique stores along the walkway from Pioneer Square, as well as the new superstore, multi-storey car park and library building.

As part of the discussion, audience members asked about the town’s future, including themes such as the future of the town centre, engaging with Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership on the skills agenda, and understanding the impact of the proposed new East West Expressway on the town and the surrounding area.

There was also a presentation from Heartflood Limited managing director Chris Gregory on the potential for a Bicester Business Improvement District and from Point of Difference managing director Andy Bedwell about new community working space the Perch.

Bicester Vision chairman, Phil Shadbolt, said: “It’s great to see the achievements of Bicester Vision over the past 10 years, with membership now rising and interest in Bicester gaining momentum.

“I have no doubt the next 10 years will see even more achievement through a partnership of inspirational individuals of which I am proud to be a part.”

See bicestervision.co.uk