Run-down shops on council estates are to be the subject of a range of improvements.

A new community property officer is to be employed by Oxford City Council to revamp and clean up shops on housing estates. He will have specific responsibility for their day-to-day management.

The council's strategy and resources committee also agreed to create a separate budget for the maintenance, repair and improvement of such shops. About £82,500 would be needed in the year 2000/01 and a similar amount for the next two years, after which the amount would decrease. The council's leisure services committee is also to be asked to consider putting up purpose-built shelters to stop young people hanging around the shops. Local people, particularly the elderly, often find this intimidating.

A number of other local authorities have tried the shelters with some success and Oxford City Council had recently installed shelters in a number of its recreation areas.

Council leader John Tanner said: "We want to revitalise local shopping precincts with new businesses and provide a tidier and safer environment for everyone. "We want well-lit shopping centres on our estates and suburbs which young people can enjoy without seeming to be a threat to elderly people."

*A petition was handed to the council last month by Rose Hill residents complaining about the state of their shops.

Residents also expressed concern about the state of shops at Westlands Drive, Northway estate, Headington.

Earlier this year, money was made available for a major revamp for the parade of shops in Blackbird Leys Road, Blackbird Leys.

Story date: Friday 05 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.