BICESTER and Abingdon can both celebrate today at significant steps forward to badly-needed regeneration of their town centres.

The feelgood factor in Witney after the opening of Marriotts Walk shows the boost such developments can give towns.

Traders and shoppers in Abingdon and Bicester have been waiting a long time for some firm movement on each scheme.

Bicester appears the better off, with its £70m redevelopment due to open in two years, with a large supermarket, multi-screen cinema, and new shops and restaurants.

That will only attract more people into the town centre and should benefit other businesses.

It also sends out a positive message at this time of economic doom and gloom.

The plans for Abingdon’s Abbey Shopping Centre will hopefully conclude the delays for the precinct.

There is a revamped shopping centre, major supermarket, redevelopment of the former Woolworths and possibly a hotel.

It is long overdue, although it could take five years, which dampens a little of the celebration.

Oxford’s stalled situation is being discussed tonight by councillors.

We hope there is some movement, otherwise the city may fall behind its market town neighbours.