Councillor Chris Brant said there is a “strong appetite” for Gail’s to come to Banbury after it was unveiled it would be coming to the Gateway Retail Park “soon”.
The councillor for Cropredy and Hook Norton said: “Gateway is, of course, a successful retail destination and an important part of Banbury’s shopping offer, so this isn’t meant as a criticism of that location.
“However, Gail’s has built such a strong reputation for bringing beautiful bakeries into characterful town-centre buildings, often helping to add life and vibrancy to high streets.
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“Many residents, myself included, had been excited at the thought of seeing a Gail’s become part of the fabric of Banbury’s historic centre.”
Banbury town centre is in need of fresh energy and quality-led businesses to encourage people to go there, Mr Brant added.
The Liberal Democrat said Gail’s reputation “could have played a real role in helping to re-energise the heart of the town, drawing people in throughout the day and adding to the sense of place that makes a high street thrive”.
He added: “I completely understand that practical factors influence site decisions, and I’m sure careful thought has gone into the choice.
“Nevertheless, I wanted to share the strength of local feeling that a Gail’s bakery would have been a fantastic addition to the town centre itself, and would likely have been embraced enthusiastically by the community.”
Gail’s has been contacted for comment. The business has not confirmed an exact location to us yet.
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