With economic gloom all around us, Bicester Village shines out like a beacon.

The award-winning complex is expanding with 30 new stores and 300 new jobs.

The first of the new stores open tomorrow, with the rest following by the end of the year.

It is a massive vote of confidence for the village, which last year attracted 3.5m shoppers, bringing huge prosperity to our county.

It just shows what can be achieved when you give the public what they want.

Who said there was an economic slowdown?