PART of a former department store is set to be refitted to provide office space.

Marks and Spencer at Castle Quay Shopping Centre in Banbury closed last year.

Now, Castle Quay owner Cherwell District Council is going to convert some of the shop into office space.

ALSO READ: Council says it has 'very few' empty shopping centre units, but there were 18 the last time we counted

It comes after its planning committee last Thursday approved the proposal to change the site's use from 'retail' to 'professional services'.

The internal layout of the unit would remain largely the same with some internal petition walls removed and some new private office spaces created.

The 'bulk' of the changes would be the addition of desking.

It is not yet known what service or business will reside there, but a council spokesperson said: “The council has sought this certificate of lawfulness to allow flexibility in pursuing opportunities with prospective future tenants.”

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