BICESTER Magistrates’ Court is no longer set to close.

The court in Queens Avenue had been earmarked for closure in April this year but HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) announced yesterday that it would stay open because of an increase in the number of cases it deals with.

HMCTS spokeswoman Zoe Campbell said: “Since the initial announcement (in December 2010) HMCTS has conducted further analysis into changes in workload in Oxfordshire and Thames Valley as a whole. HMCTS has considered the available options and concluded that the best solution, especially for family cases in Oxfordshire, is to retain Bicester Magistrates’ Court.”

Oxfordshire county councillor for Bicester West Les Sibley said it needs to remain a court because of the rate Bicester is growing at.

He said: “It is a very good thing it remains open. With the town expanding as fast as it is at this time it is even more important we have a magistrates court in the community.

“The fact is, as a town grows so does its issues and problems. It works with Bicester police station which is open nine to five, Monday to Friday and they decided not to close that.”

Didcot and Witney Magistrates’ Courts closed in 2011 and Wantage Magistrates’ Court closed in 2009.