News
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Waterperry Opera Festival 2025 trailers reveal musical excellence and star performers
Rehearsals are in full swing and this season promises passion, drama, and musical excellence, with highlights including “Last Night at the Opera” and emotionally charged works like A World Turned Upside Down by Juliana Hall.
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ARC Oxford begins construction of 105,000 sq. ft landmark lab and office development
Construction has officially begun on ARC Oxford’s 105,000 sq. ft Ascent development, a landmark lab and office space set to drive innovation in the science and technology sectors. The project was launched with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by key political and business leaders.
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Milton Park showcases clean energy innovation to DESNZ delegation
Milton Park welcomed Professor Paul Monks CB and the DESNZ team for a tour and roundtable highlighting the Park’s leadership in clean energy and green innovation. Companies including Tokamak Energy, TreQ, Nium and Nexeon showcased breakthroughs in fusion, quantum computing, ammonia production, and battery tech.
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Westgate Oxford unveils interactive 3D installation ‘ART and PLAY’ on Leiden Square
Westgate Oxford has unveiled a dynamic new interactive 3D installation on Leiden Square named ‘ART and PLAY’, which aims to transform the traditional shopping experience into an interactive world of imagination.
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British interiors brand OKA relocates headquarters to Milton Park innovation hub
British interiors brand OKA has returned to Milton Park in Oxfordshire, relocating its headquarters to a custom-designed 12,971 sq ft office that reflects its design-led heritage. Founded in 1999, OKA has grown from a mail-order business to a national brand with 13 stores.
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City Sightseeing Oxford named world’s top open-top bus tour operator
City Sightseeing Oxford has been crowned the world’s top open-top bus tour operator. The Oxford team earned the prestigious Operator of the Year award for exceptional service, safety, branding, and innovation, including its recent £4m investment in an all-electric fleet.
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Whit Stillman heads to Oxford’s Ultimate Picture Palace for a special screening of Metropolitan
Acclaimed indie filmmaker Whit Stillman will visit Oxford’s Ultimate Picture Palace for a special 35mm screening of his debut film Metropolitan (1990), followed by a live Q&A. A surprise hit of the 1990s, Metropolitan is a witty look at New York’s debutante scene.
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Play2Give football tournament 2025 raises most ever for Oxford Children’s Hospital
The Didcot-based charity founded by Andy Baker, hosted its biggest football tournament yet on 13 July, raising a record £7,455 for Oxford Children’s Hospital. The event saw 18 teams from local businesses, friends, and charities compete in Wallingford on one of the hottest days of the year.
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Oxford Town Hall restoration begins with expert stonework and cleaning
Oxford City Council is moving ahead with the restoration of the iconic Town Hall, a key civic and cultural landmark. Specialist firm PAYE Stonework & Restoration Ltd has been appointed to lead the project, which includes cleaning and repairing the building’s stone façade.
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Property consultancy Vail Williams secures five Oxford city centre shop lettings
Property consultancy Vail Williams has successfully let five Oxford city centre retail units in quick succession, reflecting high demand for premises in the historic city. Acting for landlords including Lincoln College and St Peter’s College, the firm secured tenants such as Loake Shoemakers and Knead bakery.
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12,000 Oxfordshire families benefit from free holiday activities and food programme
Over 12,000 Oxfordshire families have benefitted from the government-backed Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Aimed at children aged 4–16 who receive free school meals, the initiative offers free holiday clubs combining sports, arts, science, and nutritious meals.
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Oxford city centre ranks third lowest in UK high street vacancy rates
Oxford city centre has the third-lowest high street vacancy rate among the UK’s 63 largest cities, according to new data from the Centre for Cities. The report highlights Oxford’s resilience, with a 9% vacancy rate and a strong retail presence supported by a small catchment area and robust visitor economy.
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Oxfordshire EV charging scheme for residents without off-street parking
Oxfordshire County Council has launched a pilot scheme enabling residents without off-street parking to safely charge electric vehicles at home. The £700k government-funded project will initially support 500 households with the installation of EV charging cable channels across pavements.
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Oxford museum visit helps hearing dog puppies train for life-changing roles
A group of hearing dog puppies visited Oxford University Museum of Natural History as part of their essential training. Guided by staff and volunteer trainers, the pups encountered the museum’s iconic T.rex skeleton and explored exhibits to build confidence in new environments.
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Highlights from Henley Festival 2025: Black-tie celebration of music and art
Henley Festival 2025 returned to the banks of Henley-on-Thames from 09 to 13 July, drawing over 27,000 guests for five nights of top-tier music, art, comedy, dining, and fireworks. Highlights included headliners like Diana Ross, McFly, Rick Astley, and Jamie Cullum.
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Persimmon Homes submits plans for 172 new homes at Valley Park in Didcot
Persimmon Homes Wessex has submitted plans for 172 new homes as part of the fourth phase of the Valley Park development in Didcot. The proposal includes 61 affordable homes for a local housing association, a playground, and access to green infrastructure.