BICESTER’S Crown Walk shopping centre has been added to the town’s growing list of refurbishment projects.

The work was announced as the £70m town centre’s redevelopment reached a major milestone.

The shopping area will get new paving, landscaping and planting to link into the new shopping street.

The former Millets shop in Crown Walk will be bulldozed within days to make way for a new entrance linking the development to the precinct.

The news has been welcomed by traders.

Hayley Collier, of Bicester Beds, in Market Square, said: “It’s been a long time coming. It was freshened up a few years ago but it needs a big overhaul.”

 

Paul Headford, who owns Crown Dry Cleaners, said: “I think it’s great. They really are cracking on with it.”

Sainsbury’s, in partnership with Cherwell District Council , is building a supermarket, cinema and shops and restaurants across Crown Walk and Bure Place car parks, which are due to open next summer.

The complete steel structure is now in place and cladding will start to be added next week.

In total, almost 2,000 tonnes of steel has been used to create the skeleton of the new parade.

Sainsbury’s project manager Paul Tyler said: “The completion of the steel works is a major milestone and over the coming months town centre shoppers will be able to see first hand how the completed redevelopment will look.

“The redevelopment is the largest investment ever made in Bicester town centre.

“Once complete in summer 2013, it will transform the town centre with a host of new visitor attractions to enjoy.”

The new shopping parade will link Wesley Lane, Evans Yard, Crown Walk and Market Square and there will be new public spaces outside the Sainsbury’s entrance, opposite Evans Yard and at Wesley Lane.

Norman Bolster, the council’s lead member for estates and the economy, said: “This is the point at which people can really start to visualise how the new development will look.

“It is a massive vote of confidence in Bicester town centre and I’m looking forward to watching it take shape in the coming months.”

  • To find out more about the development drop into the hub at the former Cargo shop in Crown Walk or call 0845 604 8853.