DIDCOT’S business leaders have hailed the opening of three new businesses in the town as a sign that the local economy is recovering from the effects of the recession.

A new Prezzo restaurant is due to open on Wednesday, May 26, and shopfitters are currently preparing for the opening of a Budgens supermarket in Broadway.

Office services company TBAC is opening a new business centre for up to 16 start-up companies in the former offices of Hedges solicitors.

The development manager of town growth coordinating body Didcot First, Di Chesterman, left, said: “We are seeing new businesses open and people are more optimistic in the high street.

“Shop fronts being painted up and new business opening are always a good sign of recovery.”

Chamber of Commerce president Glyn Hall said: “Overall, people are beginning to think things are happening again and businesses are moving forwards.

“A number of shops are filling up and those which left [during] the recession are getting replaced by others.

“People seem to have been more hopeful that we are on the up,” he added.