DEMOLITION work has begun on the former Halfords and MFI building in Botley Road.

An excavator yesterday hauled down part of the main structure in West Oxford, which is to be replaced with a new Waitrose store that is expected to be open by autumn next year.

The building, used by Cancer Research UK from August 2013 to June this year, will come down by the end of the year.

Half of the building was vacated by MFI in 2008 and with the rest becoming empty last year when Halfordsswitched to Meadowside Retail Park.

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Proposals for the 24,500 sq ft store were approved by Oxford City Council’s west area planning committee in May. It will be the city’s second Waitrose – after Headington – will have150 parking spaces and create 160 new jobs.

Planning permission was granted on condition a pedestrian crossing is paid for by Waitrose.

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