Cherwell District Council - Banbury

Cherwell District Council needed a new headquarters that would support a more agile and collaborative way of working while bringing employees back into the heart of Banbury. Their existing offices were outdated and no longer fit for purpose, with the building earmarked for redevelopment.

The chosen location inside Castle Quay Shopping Centre presented a unique opportunity to repurpose two vacant retail units previously occupied by British Home Stores and GAP. But the condition of the spaces, combined with ambitious project timelines, limited existing information and the complexities of working within a live public environment, created a highly demanding project from the outset.

Working closely with the client team and centre management, we developed a strategy that transformed two ageing retail units into a connected, future ready workplace, council chamber and community centre.

The project began with a complete strip out of both units, including the removal of all existing mechanical and electrical services, lifts and escalators. From there, we designed and delivered a full CAT A+ refurbishment that introduced a completely new workplace experience for the council.

A bespoke connecting bridge was installed at first floor level, physically linking the two spaces and creating a seamless flow throughout the workplace. Alongside open plan desking and a desk booking system, the design incorporated a variety of informal breakout areas, meeting spaces and dedicated council chamber facilities to support both employees and elected members.

With Castle Quay remaining open to the public throughout, we coordinated additional labour and out of hours working. Logistics were carefully managed around the shopping centre’s operational requirements to protect programme delivery.

The finished environment balances functionality with warmth, using a muted and contemporary palette inspired by the natural world to bring a sense of calm and openness into the space.

The refurbishment included a complete mechanical and electrical redesign, roof repairs, new lighting, new windows and doors, a replacement lift and the removal of existing escalators. Across the space, we delivered new offices, meeting rooms, toilet facilities and a dedicated council chamber, alongside a full furniture specification and installation.

At the centre of the scheme, the newly constructed bridge created a visual and physical connection between both units, helping the workplace feel cohesive, accessible and intuitive to navigate.

Cherwell District Council now benefits from a workplace that supports modern patterns of working while making better use of an existing asset within the town centre.

By relocating into Castle Quay Shopping Centre, the council has helped drive greater footfall back into the area while creating an environment that encourages collaboration, flexibility and employee engagement.

Despite the complexities of the project, the fit out was delivered successfully within a live public setting and received extremely positive feedback from the client team, who were delighted with the finished result.