Work begins on new square to replace shopping centre
The Clarendon Centre in Oxford will be demolished to make way for the new square.
Work has started on turning an old shopping centre into a new open-air square.
The Clarendon Centre first opened on Cornmarket in Oxford city centre in 1984, but in recent years it had deteriorated, with many units left vacant.
Developers Goldmoney Properties have now had plans approved by Oxford City Council to demolish the centre and replace it with a new square.
Roy Sebag, owner of Goldmoney Properties and founder of Clarendon Square, said he hoped the area would become "a part of everyday life in Oxford".
"We are taking great care over the craftsmanship, individual shopfronts and selection of businesses that will bring the square to life," he explained.
"My intention is to create a beautiful public square in the heart of Oxford: somewhere people can meet, sit and enjoy the city."
The plans include new shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as office space and new pedestrian walkways.
The current Clarendon Centre, which is now boarded up in preparation for demolition, had entrances on Queen Street and Shoe Lane, as well as on Cornmarket.
The proposals for the new square were approved on 16 October, with councillor Anna Railton describing the development as "super exciting".
"It's going to have a water feature in the middle, it's going to have trees and seating, all in a Georgian style - which is exciting and nice," Railton, who is the council's planning chief, said.
She also welcomed the plans to fill the retail space with local independent stores.
"I don't think we just wanted a copy paste chain store in this location," she said.
The square will be situated in Oxford city centre
Bernadette Evans, from the Oxford Business Action Group, also welcomed the decision, saying: "We are encouraged that they want to encourage independence in there."
But she said there was a "risk" that the new development could draw footfall away from other parts of Oxford.
"It is most definitely a worry that for a while it will take trade away from other parts of the city," she said, adding: "But we don't know yet how it will be impacted, if at all, hopefully."
Clarendon Square is due to open in 2028.