A STRING of pop-up shops have sprung up in Bicester as part of an “innovative” scheme to rejuvenate the town’s high street.

From Monday businesses moved into empty shops in Crown Walk, owned by supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, and will ply their trade rent-free until Christmas.

Shops will include food store Roots of Hardwick, homeware and designer dress agency Patent Place, Furniture Secrets, Premier Ballgowns, gift shop Heart & Soul, Alchester Tiles, Sew Sublime, which sell embroidered clothing and gifts, and Kiss cards.

One trader, Steve Waddup, who owns Furniture Secrets and usually sells his stock at Bicester’s Friday market, said: “It’s a scheme to encourage people to shop in town.

“This is my opportunity to get in and really go for it. Hopefully Crown Walk will be a really nice place to go and shop, just like it used to be.”

Paul Tyler, Sainsbury’s project manager said: “We have been aware for some time that Bicester has a rich mixture of local businesses and are very pleased to be able to provide space for them to promote their services over the Christmas trading period.”

l Work on the town centre redevelopment is due to start early next year, with January 9, pencilled in. The £70m development will include a 55,000sq ft Sainsbury’s supermarket, new shop units, cinema and multi-storey car park.