A LANDMARK business centre is to open its doors in Bicester.

The Eco Business Centre in Charlotte Avenue is thought to be the first non-domestic property in the UK to achieve the Passivhaus Plus standard for energy efficiency.

This means that thanks to renewable sources, the building uses less energy than it creates on-site, meaning it is carbon neutral and self-sufficient.

The building will be opened on Thursday.

Town Square Spaces Ltd has been selected by Cherwell District Council to manage and run the centre - building on the success of other spaces across the UK.

Gareth Jones, a co-founder of Town Square, said that the building would set an example for commercial properties of the future. “We are very excited to be opening the doors to this wonderful building that we feel will set the standard for the future of modern workplaces.”

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Cherwell District Council’s lead member for economy Lynn Pratt said: “I am thrilled to see the Eco Business Centre up and running.

"It is a very special building, giving small businesses and individuals a place to grow together in a creative and healthy environment.

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"It shows you don’t need to commute into London or Birmingham each day, adding valuable time onto your day, reducing the stress of commuting and doing your bit for action on climate change.”

Developed by Cherwell District Council and supported by European Regional Development Funding, the structure forms part of the zero-carbon community in NW Bicester. Led by A2 Dominion, the community provides new housing alongside employment, showing how new buildings can help to reduce carbon emissions and support efforts to address the climate change emergency.