SHOPS – love them or hate them, we all depend on them. Oxford’s retail experience has much to offer, although it is often criticised for not being better.

The process of addressing that is now underway, with the conclusion of the Clarendon Centre extension the latest step.

When the new floor space opens up, it is hoped more people will be drawn into the town centre to shop. Only time will tell.

But with the planned redevelopment of the Westgate Centre, a revolution of sorts is on the cards – in retail terms at least.

Of course, the city cannot compete with London and other, much bigger cities – but Oxford has plenty to offer.

History, architecture, world class institutions and a fresh, thriving population – the city has so much going for it.

So having shops to match seems like a natural exchange.

There are issues to resolve, clearly – parking, traffic and the impact large retail has on independent traders.

And the schemes planned may not be the answer, for everyone at least.

But each redeveloped site, each new store, each high-profile new shop that opens its doors brings something new to the city that will have a long-term impact on the way we behave.

Other areas of the country have town and city centres that are struggling to stay in business, with shops boarded up and shoppers heading out of town.

Oxford, it is hoped, will escape that fate.

Today’s news about expansion points to a new direction for the city – but there is still a long way to go.