Following a competitive tendering process, the council has appointed workspace specialists, Workplace Creations, as its main contractor.
The company is converting the former BHS and Gap shop units into “modern offices”.
Workplace Creations has previously completed several public sector relocation projects and office conversions in shopping centres.
The council started exploring options for a relocation in the summer of 2023 and agreed to the move in November 2023.
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A report presented to the executive in 2023 showed that the move would allow the council to establish new headquarters in “a smaller, more modern and energy-efficient space”.
It was claimed the move would support the council’s wider ambition to regenerate the town centre and would increase footfall to local businesses.
Councillor Lesley McLean, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for finance, property and regeneration, said: “I am delighted to report that this milestone has been reached.
“This move will not only put our council headquarters in a central location, but it will also increase footfall at Castle Quay and is part of our future regeneration plans for Banbury, to ensure a thriving and vibrant town centre.
“Our move to Castle Quay will help broaden the offer within the centre, providing residents with fully accessible district council services in a convenient town centre location, capitalising on Banbury’s strong public transport links.
“A lot of care has gone into the choice of contractor, and the transformation of our new office space is progressing at pace. It is very exciting to see this administration delivering for the future needs of our district.”
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The new headquarters will include a council chamber for public meetings.
The refurbishment works and relocation from Bodicote House are scheduled to be completed by early spring 2025.
The council previously said that new hybrid working arrangements since Covid-19 meant it was reconsidering workspace requirements.
The previous leader of Cherwell District Council, Barry Wood, previously said the building had become “too big” and he said Castle Quay was a possible location where the council could relocate to, as it owns the development.
The then-leader of the Labour Group at Cherwell District Council, Sean Woodcock MP, supported the potential relocation, as he believed it “would have a significant beneficial impact on the town centre”.
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