‘Our area needs boost for shops’

The group will raise issues with the city and county councils and will carry out a shopper survey.

Andrew Topping, manager of estate agents Breckon and Breckon, said: “Headington sometimes feels like a town of its own but there are so many empty units here.

“We spoke to the businesses in central Headington and they said that footfall and parking were the two biggest issues they wanted to improve.

“The cost of parking in Headington was one of the biggest issues which came up.

“We have to work with the local authorities on some of these issues.”

A previous group called Business Headington used to exist but had petered out.

And now ten business have decided to revive the lobby group.

As well as pressing Oxford City Council to review the parking charges, the group is also planning to create an overall branding for the Headington shopping district.

Mr Topping said the group, called Business Headington, would also be interested in carrying out surveys to find out what shoppers in Headington were looking for from their local district.

Earlier this year businesses in Headington expressed concern after it emerged a Sue Ryder charity shop would be opening in Windmill Road.

The shop has now opened meaning Headington has nine charity shops in its central shopping district, which the city council has earmarked as one of the city’s main shopping areas outside the city centre.

Elaine Bellenger, who runs clothes shop Monaco, said: “It is definitely a good idea. There are some good shops and businesses here but you need to have a voice for the area. Every business needs help in these times.”

A spokesman for Oxford City Council, which owns Headington Car Park said: “Charges in our car parks (including Headington) have not been increased since the start of 2011.

“The two-hour tariff, which was implemented following feedback from traders, is only charged at £1.20 making Headington one of the cheapest places to park within the city.”