A POLICY safeguarding the number of shops and restricting restaurants and cafes in one part of the city centre could be scrapped.

Oxford City Council currently implements a strict quota in a shopping zone that covers an area which includes Broad Street, George Street, Gloucester Green and St Aldate’s.

It dictates that half of the units must be shops.

Now council leader Bob Price has revealed that because of the Westgate development, a review of the balance between retail and other uses will take place in September .

It will not affect outlets in the city’s primary shopping zone that includes Cornmarket and Queen’s streets as well as the High.

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Cllr Price said: “We are going to have a re-think about the balance of restaurants and retail. It may be that we don’t need as much of a restriction, we may even decide not to have a restriction at all.”

He added that the planning policy was in place to safeguard against the city’s limited retail space, but the new Westgate would free up more space.

“One of the things we will get from the Westgate development is a significant increase in retail space. Some units may even move into the Westgate,” he explained.

However the proposed move has raised concerns over the future of small independent businesses which make up 35 of the 66 shops.

Tim Holdforth, the manager of Elmer Cotton sports shop in Broad Street, said: “There’s a lack of quality choice already in Oxford.

“There’s a lot of coffee shops, opticians and phone shops. It could oust the independents, rents are a big issue and so is parking which keeps people away from the city.

“We had a lot of direct competition from Sports Direct which has now gone from the old Westgate, but it’s the sort of shop that drives people into the centre.”

Graham Jones, of traders’ group ROX said any review should ensure there is a future for independent businesses, adding: “It needs a serious re-think. It will be great in three or four years time, but in the meantime it is vital the retail market is protected.”

Michael Keirs has owned St Michael’s Street bookshop Arcadia for 40 years.

He said there were nine independent shops on the street when he started and now only Bike Zone and Matthew Clulee hairdressers with him.

He said the city centre “lost its way” years ago, but sympathised with the council. He said: “My view is that I open the doors of my shop each day and I have goods to sell. I either sell them or I don’t."

Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce President Peter Smith said: “The relaxing of the policy will affect different stakeholders and we urge the city council to consider all perspectives before making a decision.”