LISTENING to the radio recently, the topic discussed was Bicester village and what effect it has had on surrounding towns such as Abingdon and Chipping Norton.

Apparently the last shoe shop in Bicester town has had to close and it was said that there were many empty stores.

The enlargement of Bicester Village will have a more drastic effect on surrounding towns and the traffic to get there causes no end of problems outside Bicester.

I went to the Village earlier this year, as I wanted to see what it was like now. That was only the third time I have been since it opened about 17 years ago.

Most of the shops sell designer goods to attract the tourists and I understand that Bicester Village is the one place for them to visit in this area.

Looking in the shop windows, almost all the goods were being offered at half price. The original prices were way over-inflated in my opinion, and the half prices also.

There didn’t seem to be the atmosphere one would find in towns and no traditional shops. To add to my disappointment, try as I may, I couldn’t find the ‘pound shop’.

Business is booming there as it attracts people from everywhere but during these times of austerity I think it’s beyond the reach of the ordinary person.

MICHAEL CLARKE, Lewell Avenue, Old Marston Oxford