Bicester Market Square FAQs
Your questions answered
Why do we need to improve Bicester’s town centre (Market Square)?
Market Square is the heart of Bicester, and its improvement represents an exciting opportunity to bring lasting benefits to the community. This investment can create jobs, draw more visitors, and energise Bicester’s economy, supporting local businesses and residents alike.
Our aspiration is to create a connected town centre with well-marked pathways, improved accessibility, and welcoming spaces that everyone can enjoy. By enhancing Market Square, we aim to ensure it remains a vibrant and inclusive hub for generations to come.
Where did the plans for improvement come from?
The current plans for improving Market Square have been shaped through recent public engagement and community feedback.
In November 2024, we invited residents, businesses, and community groups to share their ideas for the future of Market Square. This feedback, combined with technical assessments and input from key stakeholders, informed the development of three concept designs - each offering different approaches to enhancing the square.
These concept designs were then discussed during further public engagement sessions in January 2025, giving the community and key stakeholders another opportunity to provide feedback and help shape the next steps.
The concept designs focus on key themes that emerged from the engagement, including:
- Improving community space for events and gatherings
- Balancing parking and access for cars, cyclists, and pedestrians
- Exploring road layout changes to make the square more welcoming and user-friendly
The designs are now being refined, taking into account technical feasibility and ongoing discussions with local stakeholders, before a final preferred design is developed.
You can view the concept designs here: Enhancing Bicester Town Centre.
What are the aspirations/vision for Market Square?
The plans for Market Square aim to reshape it into a vibrant, accessible, and inclusive space that reflects the needs and aspirations of the Bicester community. The project aims to create a welcoming environment that honours Bicester’s rich history while integrating enhanced green spaces, improved accessibility, and areas dedicated to community events and local businesses.
Who is developing the plans for improvement?
The project is led by Cherwell District Council in collaboration with Bicester Town Council and Oxfordshire County Council working with the community to achieve a bottom-up approach.