AWARD-winning Banbury is set to carry on booming, say the town's business leaders.

For the second year running, it was named most prosperous business town in Britain in a nationwide poll by business information specialists Dun & Bradstreet.

Chris White, of FPD Savills, who is chairman of Banbury Chamber of Commerce, pointed to recent Government figures suggesting North Oxfordshire was likely to be one of the UK's fastest growing areas up to 2024.

He said: "Population growth will complete our success story. We've already shown that Banbury has got what it takes to attract new business.

"We've proved that, once here, they find a 'can do' attitude which helps them prosper and expand.

"Now we have the reassurance that North Oxfordshire will be able to supply the workforce to meet continued expansion into the new millennium."

Grahame Handley, chief executive of Cherwell District Council, said: "The physical signs of investment in Banbury are there for all to see.

"Work on the Castle Quay shopping centre is well advanced, existing businesses are expanding, and we continue to attract quality technology-based businesses which are creating long-lasting employment opportunities and contributing to the district's prosperity."

Mr Handley is also a member of the Cherwell-M40 Investment Partnership, set up to promote the area to business.

Fellow Investment Partnership member John Greaves, of Lambert Smith Hampton, said: "One of the most encouraging things about the Cherwell district at the moment is that growth can be seen across the board."

Story date: Thursday 20 May

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