BICESTER’s new mayor Sean Gaul is getting behind a new campaign aimed at improving footfall in the town centre.
The SEE Bicester campaign, Shop Enjoy Experience Bicester, aims to encourage more people to use the town centre by promoting shops and businesses through a range of initiatives.
Overview and Scrutiny committee triggered a piece of work that will look at the cost and benefits of free parking in town centres.
Launched by Bicester Town Council, SEE Bicester is run in partnership with Bicester Village, Bicester Vision and Cherwell District Council’s Bicester Delivery and Economic Development teams.
Cllr Gaul said: “There has been a desire from Bicester Town Council to do more to help and support our town centre and this campaign formalises that support.
“I am keen to deliver real change to Bicester during my mayoral year, which is why I have been so pleased to be heavily involved with Bicester Town Council’s SEE Bicester campaign, Shop Enjoy Experience Bicester.
“I will be hosting meetings with fellow town mayors to discuss what best practise can be shared between our towns given struggling town centres is not a unique problem for Bicester.
“We have a tremendous town centre with many great businesses run by very hard-working owners who need our help.
“Our aim is to encourage residents to buy local where possible and support local traders. I would love to see as many people getting involved as possible.”
Activities that have taken place so far include a litter blitz which attracted almost 50 volunteers, posters and jute bags have been created, and Sarah Plater Photography has begun filming short stories featuring local business owners to show people the vast array of goods and services available locally.
Pop-up-shops may also be opened in empty units and planning is underway to stage more culture and art events to attract more people into the town centre.
A future edition of the Garth Gazette will include a survey aimed at learning more about residents’ shopping habits, so the results can be used to improve footfall in Bicester.
To view some of the films created so far please see links below:
https://sarahplater.com/2018/06/05/one-size-fits-bicester-paula-jane-boutique/
Last Updated 23 July 2020
