WITH just a week to go until the grand opening, these pictures show the finishing touches for Bicester’s £70m town centre redevelopment.

Food is being put on the shelves in the new Sainsbury’s supermarket, and the final seats installed in the Vue Cinema.

It comes as another two retailers have been confirmed at the development called Pioneer Square – restaurant chain Nandos and clothing store Peacocks.

Prezzo, Dean’s Diner and Sports Direct were confirmed last month and negotiations are taking place with firms over the remaining units.

Only the supermarket and cinema, car park and bus interchange will open on Wednesday – although the cinema will officially open for business next Thursday.

Work is expected to start fitting out the other units soon, and Nandos expects to be open by Christmas.

Councillors and business leaders were also given a tour of the site this week, which was described by one as “awesome”.

Norman Bolster, Conservative councillor for Bicester West, said: “It’s the end of a long and difficult road, but we finally got there.

“It’s everything I could have hoped, it looks better than I thought it would be, the walkways through into the town centre look brilliant and have integrated well.

“Hopefully it will benefit traders. It will be a success story for Bicester.”

Les Sibley said it was “awesome”, adding: “People are going to say wow. It really is impressive and has been worth the wait.”

Placi O'Neill-Espejo, Bicester Vision manager, said: “It’s really grand and the street art adds a bit of quirkiness. It’s going to be a great place for socialising. We needed somewhere people can come in the evening with their family and where we can socialise with other people.”

Chairman of Bicester Chamber of Commerce Ben Jackson said the cinema and Sainsbury’s were “key” and would create opportunities for other businesses.

The development is a joint venture between Sainsbury’s and Cherwell District Council.

Sainsbury’s confirmed it had so far employed 230 people – and 90 per cent local. A further 70 jobs will follow after the store opens.

Manager Vince Brimble said: “The recruitment process has been a delight, the calibre of the people coming has been great.”

The official opening will take place at 8.30am on Wednesday when soldiers from 23 Pioneer Regiment, based at St David’s Barracks, near Bicester, will unveil a plaque in their honour.