Takeaways and cafes fear going under amid a council’s regeneration plans which would see a town centre pedestrianised.

Local business owner, Jonathan Morgan, who runs The Fat Zebra cafe in Bicester market square, said: “Where is everybody going to park? Most of our customers park right out the front of the cafe and then walk in. If there’s no parking, where will they go?”

“On top of that, how will they arrange the traffic? Where is the traffic going to go? This is the main road from east Bicester to west Bicester, the traffic has to go somewhere.” 

READ MORE: Beaver troop helps support cafe after scavenger hunt

The £4.25 million fund for Cherwell District Council's regeneration of Bicester’s market square was confirmed in late February, at a full council meeting when the budget for the 2023/2024 financial year was approved.

The plans, which form part of a larger ambition to regenerate Bicester Town Centre, aim to transform the market square into a multipurpose community hub and events space.

The transformation could include fine dining spaces, areas where kids can play safely, outdoor seating for bars and possibly an outdoor cinema.

In addition, there will be areas for entertainment and children’s activities and portable market stalls for events and exhibitions.

However, a number of businesses operating in the market square are concerned by the pedestrianisation of the area.

The owner of Market Square Fish Bar said: “I don’t think any of the shops want this. I want the road to stay open so cars can make it to us.

“All my customers agree. They don’t want to walk 10 minutes to and from their car with their food.

“Cars and buses used to be able to drive through Sheep Street, but now, after the vehicles were stopped as part of the pedestrianisation, the businesses are dying.

“We don’t want the same thing to happen to the market square. People won’t shop anymore.”

Echoing these concerns, an employee at Chol's Sandwich Makers, on the east side of the market square, said: “It’s a crazy idea. Most people think so, anyway. Sheep Street is like a ghost town every day.

“I don’t know why they would do this to the market square.”

An employee from Jenny’s Cafe and Bistro said: “It’s definitely a concern for us.”

The next steps for the council will be to appoint specialist design and consultation companies.

Later in the year an exhibition will be held inviting views from householders and local businesses on the market square transformation and how it should be delivered.

Cherwell District Council has been approached for comment.

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1