A new seven-screen digital cinema and restaurants are among the facilities to be created as part of a scheme to overhaul the centre of Bicester, Oxfordshire, which is due to start on 16 August.

Retail units, a Sainsbury's supermarket, a new bus interchange and an iconic civic building are also proposed as part of the scheme, with preparatory work set to take eight weeks to complete ahead of the main construction phase. Norman Bolster, portfolio holder for economic development and estates for Cherwell District Council, said: "[The scheme] will deliver a greater retail and leisure offer in the centre of Bicester and should attract more people which will help the rest of the retailers in the town."

Sainsbury's development surveyor Ben Littman added: "The redevelopment will, once complete, encourage more people to come and visit Bicester town centre, which can only be good news for the town."