LOSING his job helped a Bicester man build a business which is generating cash for the community.

James Metcalf, 23, was among hundreds made redundant when Leafield-based Caterham F1 went into administration last October.

And it was while in a temporary job during Christmas and New Year at Bicester Village visitor information centre, he came up with thebicesterapp.co.uk.

The smartphone guide, backed by Bicester Village, Bicester Town Council and Bicester Heritage, includes information about 200 local businesses and organisations, including shops, restaurants, the local history society, artists and musicians.

Mr Metcalf said: “When I was at the visitor information centre, I realised there was something missing and could see there was a market for an app about the whole of Bicester that could be downloaded to a mobile phone, wherever you are.”

The former Bicester Community College student spent four months researching the information for the app, some while on Job Seekers’ Allowance.

As well as a hotels section, the app includes information on housing section for people moving to Bicester, together with details of local schools.

He is working on Oxford and Banbury versions and as the project has expanded, three volunteers have joined him and he is looking at giving them shares in return for their time Mr Metcalf, who also studied at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, now City of Oxford College, added: “All my time and money was going into creating the app.

“When I started, I knew nothing about apps or codes, so have learned everything myself.”

The app will launch in the town’s Sainsbury’s on Saturday but Mr Metacalf has already sold a £34,000-licence for the franchise rights to launch an Aylesbury edition.

He said: “The app is for the community, so most of the profits will get put back into it.

“We have just given £100 to Bicester Big Lunch and hope to be putting a lot more in to other local causes.”

Mr Metcalf's team includes Shaun O’Sullivan, who helps develop the app, with Michael Lawson and Eden Winstone on sales and marketing.

Mr Metcalf said: “It started as a small project, just to publicise local musicians and now it’s grown into a massive thing.

“We also have plans for a Henley app, which someone already wants to buy off us.

“I’ve emailed Richard Branson and his people came back saying they wanted to know more.

"I have also talked to Duncan Bannatyne.

“I have had people offering me sums of money for several different areas, so we are going to have to rename the whole company.

“Eventually, our plan is that wherever you stand in the UK, our app will sync to wherever you are.”