£100 million Bicester Project Begins

The first phase of the £100 million new advanced manufacturing and technology community at Catalyst Bicester in Oxfordshire is set to begin following infrastructure and enabling works, and will include a David Lloyd Heath and Racquets Club.

Once finished, Catalyst Bicester will total 300,000 sq ft (27,870 sq m) and will provide workspace for up to 1,750 new jobs. The first four technology buildings will range in size from 10,000 sq ft to 22,000 sq ft and will be ready for businesses to use in early 2022.

The sale of land to David Lloyd has completed and construction of the new Health and Racquets Club − which will include a gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, racquet courts, café and restaurant − is set to start in summer 2021.

Catalyst Bicester is located just off the A41 adjacent to the Bicester Avenue retail centre.

Simon Parsons, Albion Land, said: “We have started the project, our third major investment in Bicester, to deliver workspace, jobs and contribute to the local economy. Catalyst Bicester will provide a new style of development in response to demand from technology, advanced manufacturing and high-performance engineering companies and create many new jobs, while helping to reduce out-commuting from the town.

“The site enabling works are advanced and we have completed the four-acre plot sale to David Lloyd. They will undertake their own construction of the new Health Club to create an exciting amenity for both the town and future occupiers. Our focus now is to complete the highway works to ensure that the project is connected to the cycle, foot and bus network and to construct the first phase of technology buildings to respond to the high demand in the area from knowledge-based businesses.”

The new buildings will incorporate sustainable construction techniques and be rated by the globally recognised sustainability assessment method to be BREEAM “Very Good”.

Bruce Gardner, New Openings Director, David Lloyd Leisure, added: “Our aim is to complete our new club in 2022 to offer the local community a range of premium family-friendly health, wellness and racquets facilities and a friendly club environment.”

The letting agents are Brown & Co, Colliers International and VSL.

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