Banbury is a busy and growing commercial centre in North Oxfordshire with a population approaching 50,000. It has excellent communication links situated on the M40 and with fast rail links to London and Birmingham - which is helping fuel its growth. The town centre is full of historic buildings with a range of shops both national and independent, professional services and a strong hospitality sector. The Council’s purchase of the shopping centre and the development of a new leisure scheme which has recently opened adjacent to the canal has provided a further boost for the town. Banbury is popular for town centre living with conversions or new build schemes taking place - increasing the town’s residents.