Oxfordshire

Regional reporting on foodservice and hospitality across Oxfordshire, featuring updates from Oxford, Banbury, Bicester, Witney, and Henley-on-Thames. This section covers restaurant and pub openings, local supply chain dynamics, rural dining trends, and the influence of tourism, academia, and commuter trade on F&B operations. Whether running a gastropub, independent café, or catering business, operators will find valuable insight into market conditions and opportunities across the county.

Mar- 2023 -

6 March

People

Mollie’s appoints Dan Gover as group innovation and development chef

Mollie’s motel and diners, has appointed Dan Gover as group innovation and development chef following the launch of its Manchester-based site in late 2023. Gover plans to assist with the brand’s creative F&B development. He started his hospitality career as a head chef at the White Horse Hotel in Romsey…
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Feb- 2023 -

22 February

Venues & Properties

Soho House to open first Manchester location

Soho House has announced plans to open its first members’ club in Manchester later this year. The Manchester opening will be the 13th UK Soho House club and fourth outside of London, following the group’s launch in Brighton last year. Members’ clubs are also located in Oxfordshire and Somerset. The…
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Nov- 2022 -

25 November

Restaurants

Le Manoir appoints new executive chef

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, a Belmond Hotel in Oxfordshire, has announced the appointment of Luke Selby as its new executive chef effective from 2 January 2023. It is reported that Selby returns to the restaurant after he first worked there more than a decade ago as a commis chef in…
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24 November

Breweries and Distilleries

Greene King workers to strike over pay

Workers at Greene King have announced strike action, according to Unite, with 188 workers who are members of the union set to partake. The workers in question are based at Bury St Edmunds, Eastwood (Nottinghamshire) and Abingdon (Oxfordshire), and brew and distribute Greene King’s products including IPA, Old Speckled Hen…
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Jun- 2022 -

7 June

Food and Drink

Island Poké opens first venue outside of London

The UK’s “leading poké operator” has launched a new site in Bicester Village, its first location outside of London. Island Poké brings “fresh pacific flavours” to the luxury shopping destination in Oxfordshire. The brand has opened a kiosk unit along the main thoroughfare with enough seating for up to 40…
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May- 2022 -

11 May

People

The Montagu Arms names new executive chef

The Montagu Arms, a boutique hotel in New Forest, has appointed Nathan Eades as the new executive chef of the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, The Terrace. In his new role, Eades will be responsible for the development and execution of the hotel’s menus, for both The Terrace and Monty’s Inn, as…
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Dec- 2021 -

13 December

Pubs and Bars

Oakman plans further sites amid sales boost

The Oakman Group has unveiled details of further expansion plans, with plans to open 70 sites by June 2026, having welcomed a period of sales growth in its latest trading update. The pub group delivered sales of just over £26m in the 21 weeks ended 5 December, having reported a…
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Nov- 2021 -

5 November

Education

Activate Learning opens new £3m hospitality facility in Oxford

Activate Learning has announced the opening of a new £3m hospitality and catering facility at the City of Oxford College. The new facilities were developed thanks to £2.17m in funding secured through the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) via the government’s Local Growth Fund. The investment into the new facilities…
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Jun- 2021 -

17 June

Pubs and Bars

Brewmish takes on two Star Pubs & Bars sites

Star Pubs and Bars has revealed that Brewmish Pub Company has taken on two of the group’s Oxfordshire sites. Led by Chris Brewster, the former licensee of Dedington’s the Unicorn, Brewmish will now operate both The Duke of Marlborough and The King’s Head. Set to undergo a £350,000 joint refurbishment,…
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Apr- 2021 -

8 April

Restaurants

Wallingford restaurant fined £1,640 for series of fire safety breaches

The owner of Wallingford Tandoori a restaurant and takeaway in Wallingford has been fined £1,640 for multiple breaches of fire-safety legislation that “put lives in danger”. The incident occured when Mr Zaman, whose first name has not been revealed, was visited by fire safety inspectors from Oxfordshire County Council’s fire…
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