Revitalising our town and village centres

Many of our village and town centres are hollowed out. Barber shops, charity shops, supermarkets and nail bars (all of which have their place) are almost all that’s left. Of course there are some wonderful exceptions – independent gems to celebrate! But following years of Tory economic mismanagement and government failure to plan for an internet based economy; many of our best loved high streets are in desperate need of a boost. Residents in Kidlington and Bicester raise this with me regularly.

Labour has a plan for small business, including reforming the current unfair system of business rates and I’m excited to talk to business owners and residents about it. Check it out here. Bicester centre needs a proper plan that gives residents - and visitors - a reason to come in and enjoy and contribute to our community. With one of the UK's biggest tourist attractions - Bicester Village - on our doorstep yet often seeming remote, with the right plan there is significant potential to boost our local economy. Done well, similarly, the Oxford United Stadium could provide a significant boost to Kidlington's economy and facilities.