Council Headquarters to Relocate to Shopping Centre

Unoccupied retail units within a shopping centre owned by the local council will be repurposed by the authority to serve as its new headquarters. Cherwell District Council plans to utilize the former BHS and Gap premises in Banbury’s Castle Quay Shopping Centre. This move is intended to help “ensure a thriving and vibrant town centre.” The council intends to vacate and sell its current headquarters, Bodicote House, located in Bodicote, outside Banbury, to developers. The relocation to the shopping centre is anticipated to be completed by early spring next year. Workplace Creations has been appointed to assist with the project. Councillor Lesley McLean, the authority’s deputy leader, commented: “This move will not only put our council headquarters in a central location, but it will also increase footfall at Castle Quay and is part of our future regeneration plans for Banbury, to ensure a thriving and vibrant town centre.” She further added: “Our move to Castle Quay will help broaden the offer within the centre, providing residents with fully accessible district council services in a convenient town centre location, capitalising on Banbury’s strong public transport links.”