Bicester sites revamped

Philip Ponting has bought the former Golden River Traffic site, on the corner of Launton and Churchill roads that has been empty for five years and plans to turn it into a car showroom for up to 100 vehicles with an investment of £1m.

Mr Ponting — who also owns a showroom at Nell Bridge, Aynho, near Banbury, and rents another in Woodstock — will transfer the business from the Youngs Garage, in Oxford Road, Woodstock, to create Pontings of Bicester. Plans have been approved to improve the site entrance, resurface the area, and to build a small office and car preparation suite.

Mr Ponting said: “It is a large investment, in excess of £1m. We are looking forward to moving into Bicester.” He hopes the showroom will open in June.

Another development at the former CCH site in Launton Road, on the corner of Telford Road, is also taking shape, with a Lidl supermarket due to open.

The building that previously stood at the site was called Publishing House and had been empty for about five years. Last year, plans to demolish and redevelop the site were approved by councillors despite strong objections from Cherwell District Council’s planners.

But councillors argued the supermarket would create jobs, give choice to shoppers and revitalise the area.

Martin Patchett, of Stimpsons Eves Chartered Surveyors, oversaw the sale of the Golden River site, and is marketing the trade units next to Lidl.

He said: “This represents a substantial investment and will change the whole aspect of the road, with modern, energy efficient buildings and new landscaping.

“The former CCH print works was on the market for a number of years, but as a relatively large, bespoke building, constructed over 25 years ago which had also suffered damage from vandals, it was always going to be difficult to find a suitable occupier. Consequently, the decision was taken to demolish and redevelop with a modern flexible building.” Golden River Traffic moved to nearby Telford Road.