McLaren and Cherwell District Council have celebrated the start of construction for the new restaurant and leisure development at Castle Quay Waterfront with a ground-breaking ceremony in Banbury, Oxfordshire.
The new 506,000sqft Castle Quay Waterfront development is being delivered by Cherwell District Council and comprises restaurant and leisure space, utilising the canal side setting. When complete, the complex will include a 117-bed Premier Inn, a ten-screen Light Cinema and 244 new parking spaces. The development will also feature a new Lidl superstore with a 438-space two-level car park. New experiences will enhance the town centre, cementing Banbury as a location that is exciting, vibrant, and accessible for all. The introduction of these new facilities will create a dynamic evening economy for residents and visitors and add additional spend to the canal-side destination.
Public realm works include associated road works, as well as the installation of a new canal bridge next to the existing shopping centre.
Gary Cramp, McLaren’s Regional Managing Director – Midlands & North, commented:
“McLaren has extensive experience in the mixed-use sector, delivering high-quality developments across the country. We are thrilled to mark this important milestone with Cherwell District Council and deliver an exciting development that the local area will greatly benefit from.”
He added,
“We look forward to building a strong relationship with the local community to ensure we leave a positive legacy in the area.”
Cllr Tony Ilott, Lead Member for Financial Management & Governance at Cherwell District Council, commented:
“This is a hugely exciting time for Banbury, and we are delighted to be able to celebrate this milestone for the town centre. A lot of work has taken place to bring us to this point and this development is one of many that will secure Banbury’s future as an attractive destination for visitors, shoppers and people looking for a meal out or trip to the cinema.”
The project will feature phased handovers between late 2020 and early 2021.