Cherwell District Council has appointed WSP, an expert in town centre regeneration, to help develop plans to rejuvenate Bicester Market Square.
Published: Wednesday, 3rd April 2024
WSP has vast experience in placemaking projects, most recently Hanover Square in London, and community consultations to harness the views and knowledge of the local community to shape successful projects.
Earlier this year, the council’s Bicester project team took a stall at the Friday market to meet residents and businesses, tell them more about the Bicester Market Square project and determine their priorities.
Some 296 people visited the stall and feedback from this informal engagement will provide context to WSP, who will engage with businesses, residents, and the wider community to help create ambitious proposals.
Over the coming months, they will extensively study the town centre, looking at parking, traffic flows, and pedestrian-friendly elements. A formal consultation will help finalise designs and plans later in 2024 following this work.
Ian Boll, Corporate Director for Communities, said: "We have the right partners in WSP to help rejuvenate Bicester town centre. We will work with them to continue listening to our local businesses and residents and understanding their aspirations for the market square. During our time at the Friday market, we heard from many who welcomed changes and from those who had concerns. We recognise the need to build on this and ensure businesses in neighbouring streets and the surrounding areas are heard.
“We recently delivered letters to businesses surrounding market square to inform them and ask them to be involved, and we hope to hear from many of them. We understand the importance of this regeneration project, and we will work with local businesses, residents, and the wider community to ensure we have a town centre that meets the needs of Bicester now and in the future.”
David Thompson, Project Director for WSP, said: “We are excited to be appointed to work with Cherwell District Council on their forward-thinking plans for Bicester Market Square. We know there is work to be done to ensure that the community is involved across the stages of this project, and we are looking forward to getting stuck in and meeting everyone who has an interest in the square.”
The regeneration project benefits from £4.25 million of funding from the council’s capital budget, with the original source of funding being a government grant for infrastructure in Bicester.
Residents and businesses keen on staying updated can sign up to receive news about the project. Or discover more at www.cherwell.gov.uk/info/260/bicester-garden-town