Bicester Village is shrugging off the credit crunch and creating at least 300 new jobs at an expanded shopping venue.

Thirty new stores are set to open at the outlet shopping complex, including major brands and a new restaurant.

Some of the new stores will open tomorrow, with the rest set to be occupied by the beginning of next year.

Bicester Village — one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK outside London — currently employs more than 1,200 full and part time staff in its 100 stores.

The creation of at least 300 new jobs is a shot in the arm for the county, after it was revealed last week the number of people out of work and claiming unemployment benefit had risen from 3,813 to 3,893 between July and August.

A recruitment drive is now under way to fill the new jobs. Bicester Village spokesman Clare Cadge said: "The new stores will bring a range of opportunities for store managers, supervisors and sales advisers."

Incoming stores include fashion brands like Dolce & Gabbana, All Saints, N Peal, Radley, Thomas Pink and Theory.

Bicester Village community relations manger Miranda Markham said the expansion had been made possible by the venue's established reputation.

Last year, it attracted 3.5 million visitors, 30 per cent of which were international customers.

Chiltern Railways also reported a 35 per cent increase in train passengers travelling to Bicester North Station compared to the same period last year.

Ms Markham said: "We are aware there has been a downturn in the economy, but we are fortunate to be established as a tourist destination that continues to attract people."

Bicester Chamber of Commerce chairman Keith Watson is backing the expansion.

He said: "It's quite unusual in the current climate to see jobs being created, so this is obviously a good thing for Bicester.

"I think the village has done a great job and attracts an awful lot of people to the town. We are now looking at new initiatives with Bicester Village to try to make those people spend more time and money in the town and stay longer."