BICESTER
HERITAGE:
A BRITISH
SUCCESS STORY
Just five years ago, the site of RAF Bicester in the heart of
Oxfordshire was a shadow of the hub of activity that saw it through
decades and decades of military activity, including two world wars.
Buildings were almost totally unused, and its legacy and history
were very much under threat.
In fact, the site was placed on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register in
2008 and designated the most at risk of all defence estates in Britain.
But when British entrepreneur Daniel Geoghegan touched down
at the former RAF Bicester in 2013, he didn’t see a derelict site in
danger – he saw opportunity. Geoghegan set about making the
site the UK’s only hub for historic motoring – a one-stop shop for all
things classic cars with a complete community feel.
Now five years since his acquisition from the Ministry of Defence,
it’s safe to say Geoghegan’s mission has been well and truly
accomplished and the days of being ‘At Risk’ are well and truly over.
12
The Art of Luxury
Issue 33 2018