Southern-style barbecue restaurant group Hickory’s Smokehouse has announced plans to open its first Oxfordshire location in Abingdon, bringing a taste of the American Southern States to the town.
The popular restaurant and neighbourhood bar brand, known for its smoked meats and relaxed dining experience, will open the new venue later next year, marking a significant expansion for the company into Oxfordshire for the first time.
Speaking about the plans, Hickory’s Managing Director John Welsh said the move to Abingdon had been long anticipated:
“We are so excited to be heading to Abingdon, Oxfordshire – it’s an area that’s been on our wishlist for a while now, and we’re over the moon to finally be planning our first smokehouse in the town and our first in the wonderful county of Oxfordshire.
“We’ll be spending plenty of time getting to know the area and our ambition is to create something really special. We can’t wait to become part of the local community for many years to come. Across all our restaurants we love working with schools, charities, grassroots sports teams and community groups – and Abingdon will be no different.”
The new Hickory’s Smokehouse will take over the site currently occupied by The Bystander, whose team has been informed of the plans. The existing venue is scheduled to close in April 2026, before reopening as Hickory’s Smokehouse in summer 2026 following a significant refurbishment.
As part of the development, Hickory’s will make a major investment in the new smokehouse and neighbourhood bar.
The opening is also expected to create around 100 new jobs, with the company actively recruiting for chefs, servers, bartenders and managers. Hickory’s has confirmed it will also support existing team members through the transition.
The announcement represents a notable addition to Abingdon’s hospitality scene, with Hickory’s Smokehouse widely recognised across the UK for its distinctive Southern-inspired menus, welcoming atmosphere and community-focused approach.
The team behind the project is currently finalising its plans for the Abingdon site and has confirmed that further details will be shared early next year, as preparations continue ahead of the venue’s transformation and reopening.
