Bicester Market Square FAQs
Your questions answered
Why do we need to regenerate Bicester’s town centre (Market Square)?
Bicester Market Square is an attractive historical town centre which is currently dominated by cars and parking. The growth of Bicester and surrounding areas has highlighted the need for a town centre which will continue to thrive in the future. Cherwell District Council have allocated £4.25 million to regenerate Market Square.
Where did the plans for regeneration come from?
There are no final agreed plans or visuals in place for a future Market Square.
Over the years the regeneration and improvement of Bicester town centre has been a focus for many. It goes back to before 2010. The visuals of what it could look like came from a feasibility report following a 2019 workshop chaired by retail expert Bill Grimsey. This workshop led to the ‘Reimagining Bicester Town Centre Outline Plan’ which highlighted an improvement scheme for Market Square which could create a multi-functional space to provide for the needs of the growing town. These plans now need to be built upon and updated to help create a Bicester town centre fit for the future.
What are the aspirations/vision/hopes for Market Square?
We hope to rebalance and re-energise Market Square, transforming it into a versatile public space with many uses and attractions that encourages residents and visitors to enjoy Bicester town centre and support businesses and the local economy. The recent success of the Armistice Day Parade held in November 2023 shows the potential of Market Square as an area for the community to gather.
Our starting point is to speak with residents, businesses and stakeholders to find out about their experiences of Market Square – what is working well and what could be improved so we can shape the town centre’s future together.
Where did the money come from?
From the council’s capital budget, with the original source of funding being a government grant for infrastructure in Bicester.
Why not use it for another area of Bicester?
The Local Plan identifies 5 areas for potential change within and close to Bicester town centre (including Market Square), so the focus is not just on Market Square but elsewhere too including environmental improvements in Bure Place.
In addition, shaping our town centres and making sure they are fit for the future is a key commitment for the council. In Banbury, our Banbury Vision 2050 survey is asking the public what they would like to see from their town centre in the future. We will be asking the public in Bicester what they want from Market Square.
What are the timescales for the regeneration?
January – February 2024 we will be present at the Friday market where we hope to hear from residents, businesses and visitors about what they think about Market Square and answer any questions that we can.
Who is working to develop the plans/vision/regeneration?
We are at the beginning of this process and have a core team of officers from the council who are engaging with local businesses and stakeholders on this project. We are also working with Bicester Town Council and Oxfordshire County Council on this project.
Will you consult on the regeneration and if so, when?
Yes, there will be a formal consultation during 2024 and we will be asking everyone in Bicester and beyond to have their say.
How much scope is there for residents, businesses and stakeholders to
have a say?
We want to hear what people think. We have been speaking with local businesses in recent months to hear their views. We have planned a series of engagement events and will be on a stall at the Friday market from next week where residents, businesses and stakeholders can come and speak to the project team about what they would like to see in Market Square.
What has been happening for the past 11 months since the project
funding was announced?
All regeneration projects take time to get things in place. During this time, we have been working with Oxfordshire County Council to agree the structure of the project. Preparing and writing the specification for the tender. Identifying stakeholders and engaging with businesses in Market Square to explain the aspirations of the project.
What has been the reactions of businesses and residents to the
proposed Market Square regeneration project?
Last year September and October we spoke with businesses in Market Square about regeneration of the area. From those businesses we spoke with the overall reaction was positive, one newly opened business chose Market Square because of the regeneration and the benefit that this would bring. We did hear from businesses who were concerned, and we talked them through the aspirations of the project to reassure them that this is the beginning of the project, and they will have an opportunity to shape future plans.