PLANS for a mayor employer in Chipping Norton to relocate to the centre of the town have been welcomed.

The Phone Co-op, which is currently based at Elmsfield Industrial Estate at the edge of town, has announced that it will move to 19 Market Place, next to HSBC.

The organisation says its move will secure 60 jobs and provide a major boot to local businesses as well as investing in a prominent building currently standing empty.

Vivian Woodell, the chief executive of The Phone Co-op, said: “We have acquired this building so we can relocate our head office to the heart of Chipping Norton.

"This will help to secure over 60 jobs for local people and at the same time will help to revitalise the town centre.

"We already have planning permission to develop the building itself but in order to accommodate all our staff we also need to build some additional office space at the rear.

"This will be built to the highest environmental standards and will be designed to be as low-impact as possible."

A planning application for the building has attracted more than 50 supportive comments.

Patrick Neale, who runs the Jaffe and Neale bookshop and café opposite, said: "It is brilliant that a progressive company like The Phone Co-op is coming to the centre of Chipping Norton.

"Having these employees in the town centre will assist in the battle to save the High Street.

"The plans are considerate and thoughtful and I am delighted that they have chosen to work in the town and not move elsewhere.

"This beautiful building has been underutilised for ages.

"As a local shopkeeper I am fighting hard to keep this town centre alive with all the difficulties the internet has brought.

"The Phone Coop's application is sympathetic and well thought out."

The Phone Co-op has more than 30,000 customers and also has operations in Manchester.