Revamp Of Oxford's Clarendon Centre shopping complex is rubberstamped

One of Oxford city centre's most prominent shopping precincts looks to be getting a huge overhaul after plans for a large scale project concerning the retail centre were approved.

The major renovation will see the Clarendon Centre's roof removed, buildings demolished and replaced and a whole new look and feel added. Its useage will diversify quite dramatically too, with office, lab and student living space added to the retail space currently being utilised.

The Clarendon's owners, Lothbury Investment Management made the request to the city's planning committee after charting a steady decline in the centre's occupancy following the recent successes of bigger nearby shopping complexes.

Lothbury Investment Management's Adam Smith told city councillors at a recent meeting: "The Clarendon Centre needs to change and we believe that our proposals are not only good for the Clarendon Centre and city centre, but for Oxford as a whole."

Mr Smith also revealed that Lothbury is in 'advanced legal discussions with Oxford's Brasenose College over a deal to use the site, in part, as a proposed student living accommodation.'

Smith also went on to explain how the proposed laboratory space would 'create high value jobs right in the heart of the city centre, not in the suburbs or the out-of-town research parks.'

Oxford City Council planning officer Felicity Byrne called the development 'very exciting' and 'a positive development for the city centre.'

The final of the three planned phases at The Clarendon Centre could well be fully complete by as early as 2028.

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