BICESTER Village has responded to calls for it to close after swarms of shoppers were pictured huddled outside shop doors this morning. 

Earlier today an online petition with an image of dozens of people packed into the outdoor shopping centre was shared online, and it has already been signed more than 1,000 times. 

The petition called for the luxury retail outlet to close, reminding people that we are in a global pandemic, or put 'proper safety measures in place'. 

But Bicester Village has now hit back, and in a response to this paper said: “Following a surge at opening, the flow of guests has eased as the day has progressed.

"Bicester Village has in place Shopping Protocols, which meet the Government’s official guidance and regulations."