Bicester Village set to expand

Designer outlet Bicester Village is set to add 28 more shops and 519 extra parking spaces, after plans to demolish a nearby Tesco were given the green light.

The outlet in Oxfordshire, which attracts 6 million of visitors each year, will increase in size by 24 percent, bring its total store count to 158, once the building work is completed, according to the plans approved by Cherwell District Council.

The expansion will add an additional 5,191 square metres of retail space and accommodate 28 new units, in addition there will be new parking spaces, highway improvements to reduce congestion, as well as a new park-and-ride facility and a footpath to the train station.

Andy Preston, Cherwell’s head of development management, said: “Bicester Village attracts millions of visitors from across the world each year so it’s important that provisions are in place to meet the demand.

“This increase in spaces, plus the associated transport improvements, should help to achieve that goal. It will also improve access from Bicester Village to the town centre which will hopefully boost footfall for all of the local traders.”