Banbury Labour leader describes Bicester Village shopping disorder 'genuinely appalling'

One of many Tweets from Bicester Village yesterday (Monday) as non essential shops were allowed to reopen

In an open letter to Cherwell District Council's leader, Cllr Barry Wood, he addressed his horror at pictures of crowds of shoppers at the popular retail park, not socially distancing.

"I understand the difficult balance that there is and the need to get our economy going again after three months in lockdown. Many businesses are really struggling. The report to this evening's (Tuesday) Executive meeting makes the likely challenges crystal clear.

"But this virus remains out there and there is still no vaccine or proper treatment for it. With 60,000 excess deaths in the UK this year, nobody should underestimate the importance of maintaining social distancing or doing what we can to control the spread of this virus.

An empty Bicester Village as it was during lockdown. Picture Bicester Village

"Small businesses are making necessary adjustments in order to play their part while still operating. So it is not right for one of the wealthiest organisations, Value Retail, to allow such flagrant breaches to occur through their own negligence. It is not fair either," said Mr Woodcock.

"I do not share the view of those who have signed a petition calling for Bicester Village to be closed as a result of what we saw yesterday. But I understand the sentiments.

"As such, I trust that you and the council will be stressing to Value Retail in the strongest terms possible, your disapproval of Value Retail and how they have allowed this to happen."

A Cherwell spokesman said: "We are aware of public concerns regarding management of coronavirus transmission risk at Bicester Village. We are engaging positively with the outlet to see what improvements can be made.”

Cherwell District Council's executive meets today (Tuesday) to discuss measures to re-set the council, business and finances over the coming months.