News
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Clinton Pugh has sold his last Oxford restaurant Kazbar after four decades
After 40 years of shaping Oxford’s café and restaurant scene, renowned business owner Clinton Pugh has sold his final establishment in the city, marking the end of a significant chapter in local hospitality.
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Kingham Hill School announces strategic alliance with Dean Close Foundation
Kingham Hill School in Oxfordshire will join the Dean Close Foundation in July 2025, marking a significant step for independent education in the region.
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Henley Festival announces winners of inaugural RISE Emerging Artist Prize
Henley Festival, presented by Westcoast, has announced the winners of its inaugural RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize, celebrating exceptional emerging talent in visual arts. Raoul Orzabal claimed the top prize of £1,000 for his intricate modernist-inspired landscapes.
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Operation Varsity: Crossing Time exhibition to open at Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum
The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock is launching Operation Varsity: Crossing Time, an exhibition developed in partnership with charity Outside In.
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The Oxford Trust appoints three new trustees to strengthen the board
The Oxford Trust has appointed three new trustees to its Board: David Llewellyn, co-founder of DJS Antibodies; Tatiana Grudskaya, VP at Immunocore; and David Carr, an experienced CFO. Their combined expertise in science, finance, and innovation will support the Trust’s mission to champion science education and entrepreneurship in Oxfordshire.
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ESP Solicitors expands legal team with three senior hires amid growth drive
ESP Solicitors has expanded its legal team with the appointment of three experienced solicitors, reinforcing its expertise in immigration and employment law.
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Wantage care home uses AI to detect pain and transform the wellbeing of residents
Elmbrook Court care home in Wantage is trialling AI technology to improve resident wellbeing. Using the PainChek system, care staff can detect and manage pain in residents who struggle to communicate by scanning facial expressions with a smartphone or tablet.
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Oxford Bus Company reports increased patronage after 3A timetable change
Oxford Bus Company has reported a 22% increase in passengers from Littlemore and Sandford following enhancements to its 3A service. Since February 2025, the route operates more frequently—every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20–30 minutes on weekends—improving access to Oxford, Cowley, and Oxford Science Park.
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Thrive Homes and MySafeHome partner on accessibility for disabled homeowners
Thrive Homes, a housing association managing nearly 6,000 homes, has partnered with MySafeHome, a specialist mortgage provider for disabled individuals. This collaboration aims to improve homeownership accessibility through shared ownership, using benefits as income.
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Common Futures: Oxford residents called to co-create the city’s next civic landmark
Makespace Oxfordshire has launched Common Futures, a free public events programme inviting Oxford residents to help shape the future of the civic space at 38–40 George Street. Running monthly through 2025, the programme focuses on three themes—Regenerative Futures, Stories of Place, and City Changemakers—based on previous community input.
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Former warden of Keble College to run 10k at 90 in support of SEND education
Sir Christopher Ball, former warden of Keble College and a knight for services to education, will celebrate his 90th birthday by running a 10K in Brathay, Cumbria, on 17 May. He’s raising funds for ten charities, including The Unicorn School, which supports children with special educational needs.
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Persimmon champions sustainability with donation to local Didcot group
Persimmon Homes Wessex has donated £1,000 to Sustainable Didcot, a local environmental group, through its Community Champions programme. The donation supports the group’s initiatives such as repair cafes, clothing exchanges, and community workshops.
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Mixergy honoured with King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation
Oxfordshire-based Mixergy has been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, recognising its groundbreaking smart hot water solutions. The company’s connected cylinders use machine learning to improve energy efficiency and support the UK’s transition to net zero.
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High Sheriff of Oxfordshire launches initiative to amplify young voices
John May CVO OBE DL, the new High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, has launched the ‘Hearing the Young Unheard’ initiative to spotlight the needs of young people. As part of this, a series of Big Breakfast Conversations are being held, including one in Chipping Norton focusing on the impact of domestic abuse on youth.
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Construction set to commence on new £190m science park in Oxford
Construction is set to commence at the end of May on Fabrica science park, a £190 million commercial development on Botley Road that will become Oxford’s largest of its kind to date. Contractor Bowmer + Kirkland secured the build contract, with completion expected in early 2027. The 180,000 sq ft scheme will deliver a five-storey,…
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Kelmscott Manor launches community poem and art events celebrating Morris’s legacy
Kelmscott Manor will host a vibrant summer programme celebrating William Morris through poetry, art, and community engagement. Poet Robert Seatter and visual artist Jessica Palmer lead the initiative, featuring a new exhibition, interactive 3-D model of the Manor, and creative workshops.