Amid the economic doom and gloom, some good news for Oxford.

British Gas Business has unveiled plans to move into a new building for 1,000 workers at Oxford Business Park.

It means the firm will now call the city its headquarters.

Work on the building could start soon and staff could move in by 2013. The plans may not bring the immediate impact of new jobs, but a 17-year lease means the company is committed to the city and that can only be a good thing.

The knock-on effect to the city’s economy is overwhelmingly positive. How refreshing.