Preparatory work has started in Bicester ready for construction of the town centre redevelopment.

A Sainsbury’s supermarket, cinema, car parking, shops and restaurants will be built over Crown Walk and Bure Place car parks.

Contractor Bowmer and Kirkland have created a compound, stripped out a number of units, and closed part of Crown Walk car park.

Building work is due to officially start on January 30.

Furniture store Cargo, in Crown Walk, has been told it must vacate its unit by January 30.

As part of the redevelopment, Cargo’s rear warehouse will have to be demolished.

The pop-in centre and shop mobility buildings will also go and both organisations are being rehoused.

Cargo said its warehouse was necessary for it to trade and could not stay in the unit.

Spokesman Greyz Abungau said: “We were advised we should vacate the store by January 30.

“We are looking to redeploy all staff that have been affected within Cargo stores or the wider Steinhoff Group, including Harveys and Bensons for Beds.

“We are still keen to continue trading in the Bicester area and are exploring a number of options.”