Venue information

The Old Fire Station is a public multi-form arts centre in the centre of Oxford centre that presents new work across art forms. They also help local early to mid-career artists from all disciplines to make and showcase their work, meet each other, and to share ideas.

But the Old Fire Station isn’t just an arts centre. They share their building with the charity Crisis, and together they aim to help end homelessness in Oxford. They help homeless people become more resilient and stable by:

• Offering training and volunteering opportunities to Crisis clients, who can learn a wide variety of skills in front-of-house, in the shop and backstage.
• Providing opportunities for Crisis clients to create and show work with professional artists, from gallery exhibitions such as 2016’s ShedSpace, to the ongoing theatre project Hidden Spire.
• Enabling Crisis members to see shows and learn about the exhibitions in our gallery.

Members of the public come to the Old Fire Station to drink coffee, buy art, attend dance classes or watch a show. Homeless people come to learn, gain skills and get support. Artists and students come to rehearse, create and showcase. Local residents and businesses too have access to spaces they can use for their own events. Everyone comes through the same door and find themselves sharing space and overlapping interests.

Opening hours

The building opens at 9.00am every weekday.

The Café is open 10.00am to 4.00pm on Tuesday to Sunday.

The Gallery and Box office are open 10.00am to 4.00pm on Wednesday to Saturday.

Getting there

By bus:
Oxford town centre is well-served by buses. The venue is less than 10 minutes’ walk from any bus stop in the town centre. Take a look at the Oxford Bus Company website to plan your journey.

By bike
Oxford has a lot of cyclists. You can plan your cycling route using this interactive map. For general information about cycling in Oxford and the surrounding area, visit the Oxford City Council pages on cycling, or of local cycling advocacy group Cyclox.

By train
Old Fire Station is a 15-minute walk from Oxford rail station.

By car
Oxford is not a particularly car-friendly city. There are plenty of car parks in Oxford, but the congestion is high and Oxford’s temporary congestion charge for cars is now in effect, we recommend that you use the Park & Ride, or a different method of transport.

For Blue Badge holders, there are a number of Disabled Parking Places on New Inn Hall Street, and the local NCP car park.

Accessibility information

There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, please use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.

• There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).
• There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.
• There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.
• There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.

Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).

Hearing assistance system
The venue does not currently have a Hearing Assistance system. Please alert the box office on tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or call the box office on 01865 263 990 or speak to the Duty Manager on the night of the performance if you wish to reserve a seat in an appropriate place.

Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let them know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performance – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.