Nine companies bid for the work to maintain Banbury town centre but Continental Landscapes came out victorious as they retained the work in a five year deal.

Having worked for Cherwell Council for a number of years the recent administrative changes to councils in Oxfordshire meant that Banbury Town Council was placed in charge of its own contracts.

The contract to look after the North Oxfordshire market town, famed for its part in the children’s nursery rhyme ‘Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross’, will see Continental Landscapes continuing to maintain the town’s streets, public places and green spaces.

“ We’re delighted to be awarded the grounds maintenance contract for Banbury Town Council,” said Nick Broad, operations director. “It’s a great opportunity to continue working with the Council and further improve on the high standards achieved to date.

“ It would be wonderful to repeat our Banbury success in Britain in Bloom as well,” he concluded.

“ It’s been a long process,” added Cllr Nicholas Turner, chairman of the General Services Committee at Banbury Town Council. “But it is very important to the Council and I feel that Continental Landscapes put in a most competitive bid, offering high quality as well as value for money.

“ We look forward to working in partnership with them to improve Banbury’s parks and open spaces for the town’s residents.”