Work begins on new square to replace shopping centre

Work to transform an old shopping centre into a new open air square has begun.

The Clarendon Centre first opened on Cornmarket in Oxford city centre in 1984 but in recent years had fallen into disrepair with many units left empty.

But developers Goldmoney Properties recently 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."

Among the plans are new shops, cafes and restaurants, alongside office space and new pedestrian walkways.

The existing Clarendon Centre, which is now boarded up ready for demolition, had entrances on Queen Street and Shoe Lane, as well as on Cornmarket.

Proposals for the new square were approved on 16 October, with councillor Anna Railton calling the development "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 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.

Bernadette Evans, from the Oxford Business Action Group, also praised 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 take 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 scheduled to open in 2028.