News
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Hickory’s Smokehouse to open first Oxfordshire venue in Abingdon
Hickory’s Smokehouse has announced plans to open its first Oxfordshire venue in Abingdon. Replacing The Bystander in summer 2026, the Southern-style BBQ restaurant will bring significant investment and create around 100 new jobs.
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Milton Park appoints Benedicts and CBRE as joint leasing agents
Milton Park has appointed Benedicts alongside CBRE as joint leasing agents for the 2.8 million sq ft innovation community, following a strong year of growth and rising demand from life sciences, quantum and emerging technology companies.
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172 new homes approved for next phase of development at Valley Park Didcot
Reserved matters approval has been granted for 172 new homes at Valley Park in Didcot. The next phase of the major development will include affordable housing, new infrastructure and strong community links, with construction expected to begin within weeks.
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Vistry and Abri to deliver 129 affordable homes at Kingsgrove Wantage
Vistry and Abri are partnering to deliver 129 new affordable homes at Kingsgrove in Wantage. The fully affordable development, supported by Homes England funding and built using modern timber construction, is set to begin this spring.
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Oxford startups OXCCU and A&B Smart Materials recognised in Startups 100 Index 2026
Two Oxford-based companies have been named in the Startups 100 Index 2026, with OXCCU ranking fourth and winning the Sustainability Award, and A&B Smart Materials recognised for its biodegradable polymer technology, highlighting Oxford’s rising influence in UK innovation.
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Day Fever brings its daytime disco phenomenon to Oxford’s O2 Academy as part of major 2026 UK tour
Day Fever is bringing its hugely popular daytime disco to Oxford’s O2 Academy this February, offering an afternoon of dancing, nostalgia and feel-good music – all wrapped up before the evening begins.
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Free Oxford park and ride bus journeys extended until March 2026
Free park and ride bus journeys in Oxford have been extended until March 2026 after a sharp rise in passenger numbers, supporting the temporary congestion charge and reducing traffic in the city.
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Taylor Wimpey launches January homebuyer events across Southern Counties
Taylor Wimpey is welcoming househunters to a series of January events across the Southern Counties, offering property tours, bespoke buying support and free mortgage advice at selected developments.
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Demolition of old swimming pool clears way for Blackbird Leys Community Centre redevelopment
Demolition of the former swimming pool in Blackbird Leys has been completed, clearing the way for construction of a new purpose-built community centre at the heart of the area’s wider regeneration.
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The M&M Group appoints new Group Finance Director Tim Smith to support strategic growth
The M&M Group has appointed Tim Smith as Group Finance Director, joining the board as the business builds on record recycling rates and continued growth across its waste, environmental and remediation services.
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Oxford volunteer marks rehoming of 25,000 hens with British Hen Welfare Trust
The British Hen Welfare Trust’s Oxfordshire team has reached a remarkable milestone, rehoming its 25,000th hen. Coordinator Lucia Singer reflects on 13 years of volunteering, teamwork and the enduring appeal of what she calls “beautiful, intelligent little dinosaurs”.
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RISE by Henley Festival opens 2026 Emerging Artist Prize applications
Applications are now open for the 2026 RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize, offering cash awards and the chance for early-career visual artists to exhibit their work at Henley Festival with commission-free sales and transport support.
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Stevenage and Milton Keynes now rival Oxford and Cambridge as supercluster growth spreads
New research shows Stevenage and Milton Keynes now rival Oxford and Cambridge for economic growth, as business leaders call on government to fast-track East West Rail approvals to unlock a £78bn growth opportunity across the supercluster.
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Parkers Properties raises thousands for local causes across West Oxfordshire
West Oxfordshire estate agent Parkers Properties is marking a year of community fundraising, supporting charities, village events and grassroots sport while raising thousands of pounds for local and international causes.
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Rising indie artist Tom A. Smith to bring 2026 UK headline tour to Oxford’s Bullingdon
Rising indie artist Tom A. Smith brings his 2026 UK headline tour to Oxford’s Bullingdon this April, following the release of his acclaimed EP Say What You Want and a breakthrough year of major live performances.
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New Theatre Oxford partners with The Store for Inspector Morse mystery competition
New Theatre Oxford and The Store have launched a city-centre Inspector Morse mystery competition, inviting the public to solve clues in a themed window display as Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts arrives in Oxford this January.