SHOPPING centre owner Hammerson has started talks with Didcot traders who will be forced to make way for a £125m expansion of the Orchard Centre.

Traders in Lower Broadway, including those in Rich’s Sidings, will have to move out to accommodate the expansion of the centre.

South Oxfordshire District Council said in March last year that it would use compulsory purchase orders if necessary, but council spokesman Gavin Walton said no decision has been taken yet regarding that issue.

He added: “Hammerson are in dialogue with the occupants of Rich’s Sidings.

“However, it is too early to provide any details at this stage.”

Firms between High Street and the Hitchcock Way roundabout will have to move to make way for a 200,000sq ft extension to the centre, due to open in 2014.

Last month Hammerson confirmed that it aims to submit a planning application for phase two of the centre in the spring and is seeking a national chain as an anchor store.

John Ward, 64, who runs Broadway Pet Centre, said: “My lease is up this year so this shop is likely to close in the summer. We have been here eight years and the business has been in Didcot for 50 years.

“There is no doubt that when the shopping centre extension is built it will be the end of an era.

“Even if I wanted someone to take over I couldn’t because they know shops in this part of Broadway are coming down.”

South Oxfordshire and the Vale councils are hosting a business breakfast at the Cornerstone Arts Centre on Wednesday, February 1 from 7.30am to 9.30am.