ONE of Bicester's longest running bookstores is moving after almost three decades in the same town centre unit.

Coles Books has long been the place for shoppers and families to bury their nose into a new book or meet visiting authors.

Now, owners Nigel and Caroline French have pledged their commitment to the town centre by signing up to a new lease in a bigger shop close by.

The pair said the move to the unit just across the way from the current site in Crown Walk makes way for a major expansion.

Mr French added: "The bookshop has always enjoyed strong links with the local community, the move to bigger premises will help develop and strengthen those links further.

"We wish to thank Neil Wild for his excellent and detailed advice all the way through, and also the support of the landlord and their adviser, Jonathan Thomas of agency jrbt."

Mrs French added: "This is such an exciting opportunity for Coles Books, and we very much look forward to sharing it with our customers."

The bookstore originally opened in Crown Walk in 1990, when it was known simply as ‘The Book Shop’.

It was taken over in 1994, at which point it became Cole’s Bookstore.

Current owners Caroline and Nigel French took the business on in 2008.

The pair are now nearing their 10th anniversary as co-owners of the store and are looking forward to expanding the shop into the former cargo unit next to WH Smith in Crown Walk – a stone's throw from the former shop unit.

The new unit has been empty for more than five years and will be double the size of the current bookstore.

As well as a wide range of books, Coles Books specialise in signed editions, and stock stationery, greetings cards, gifts and gift wrap.

The new shop will also have more vinyl records and turntables, and allows for more author events, whilst cementing its cultural contribution to Bicester's town centre.

Mr French is also a founding member of the recently-formed Bicester Town Traders’ Forum, hoped to help develop the town centre and breath more life into it.

Cherwell District Council lead member for estates and economy, Lynn Pratt, said: "I am delighted that Coles Books is moving to larger premises in Crown Walk.

"This shows real commitment to Bicester town centre by Nigel and Caroline French, and I hope this will encourage other retailers to come into the town centre.

"Bicester is a growing town and to that end we need a good retail choice to serve the people who live here now and will do so in the future."