Bicester: Business community marks 10th anniversary of town vision

Bicester Vision welcomed members of the local Bicester business community to a special event marking its 10^th anniversary and to look towards the next decade for the town.

The milestone event, held at Brethertons offices, attracted more than 75 people, and focused on setting out the key milestones for the town over the next 10 years. The diverse audience comprised local businesses, all three tiers of local government, the Local Enterprise Partnership, Bicester Chamber of Commerce and Bicester residents.

A drinks reception marked the special occasion and provided some valuable networking opportunities before the main event commenced with an interactive panel discussion. Opening remarks from previous chairmen, Adrian Shooter, CBE and Bob Langton, shadow chairman at Banbury Museum Trust, congratulated Bicester Vision on its work to date. Members from the audience were then able to pose questions relating to the town’s future allowing for some lively discussion.

Popular themes included the future of the town centre, engaging with Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership on the skills agenda, and understanding the impact of the East West Expressway as part of Government’s Industrial Strategy for the region, all provoking further conversation and debate regarding potential challenges and opportunities for Bicester.

A presentation was given by Chris Gregory, MD of Heartflood on place management and the potential for a Bicester BID (Business Improvement District). With a final presentation of the evening by Andy Bedwell, MD at Point of Difference, providing an overview of Perch, the new co-working space recently opened in Bicester.

Bicester Vision chairman, Phil Shadbolt, OBE commented: “It’s great to see the achievements of Bicester Vision over the last 10 years, with membership now rising and interest in Bicester gaining momentum, I have no doubt the next 10 years will see even more achievement through a partnership of inspirational individuals of which I am proud to be a part.” 

Bicester Vision was created in late 2007 and is an independent partnership which brings together the local government and key business representatives within the town, with the aim to ensure Bicester continues to be a great place in which to live and work.