Retail and Leisure
Our Retail and Leisure category brings together the places, products and experiences that shape how we shop, stay, unwind and explore. From independent boutiques and high-street favourites to standout hotels and leisure destinations, discover what’s new, what’s worth your time, and what’s making an impact across the sector.
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Oxford United signs lease agreement for stadium land known as The Triangle
Oxford United has confirmed that it has signed a legally binding lease option with Oxfordshire County Council for land known as The Triangle, as well as completing a community collaboration agreement.
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Oxford City’s new luxury hotel – The Store – to open this May
Reimagined as a 101-bedroom luxury hotel, restaurant, rooftop bar, co-working bar, and spa, The Store sits in the building of the historic Boswells department store on Broad Street in the heart of the city.
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Oxford United submits full planning application for its new stadium
The club has formally submitted an applicatio to build a new, modern, eco-friendly 16,000-capacity stadium on an area of land known as The Triangle, near Kidlington, as part of a mixed-use development.
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Oxford United aims to build first all-electric stadium in UK
As part of the club’s pledge to deliver a state-of-the-art stadium, the club would use a low-carbon energy supply to create an ‘all-electric’ stadium, with power also generated by solar panels.
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Oxford’s historic Covered Market celebrates its 250th anniversary
The Covered Market is celebrating a monumental milestone this year as it reaches its 250th anniversary making it one of the oldest continually operating markets in the country.
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Oxford United making ‘great progress’ preparing planning application for new stadium
Oxford United is making ‘great progress’ preparing a planning application for its new stadium. The team aims to establish a new venue at The Triangle, situated south of Kidlington Roundabout, as its current licence agreement for the Kassam Stadium expires in 2026.
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The Three Horseshoes at Asthall near Burford has opened following a light refurbishment
The pub offers simple seasonal food, six cosy bedrooms, a large garden with an outdoor bar and incredible views across the rolling Cotswolds hills.
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Banbury’s historic Whately Hall Hotel has reopened under new management
Tulip Hotels and Real Estate have announced the acquisition and long-awaited reopening of the historic Whately Hall Hotel in Banbury town centre.
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Cedar Therapy boutique beauty salons expands to Banbury town centre
Cedar Therapy, a carefully curated selection of boutique beauty salons in picturesque towns on the edge of the Cotswolds, has expanded into prominently situated premises on Horse Fair in Banbury town centre.
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Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel appoints new Director of Sales
The boutique hotel has appointed Isabela Dumbrava to design and implement new creative strategies for the hotel, overseeing all marketing and help put the venue on the map as a go-to destination in Oxfordshire.
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TreeDwellers to unveil its inaugural property in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds in March
The seven distinctive dwellings, enveloped in timber and glass to mirror the organic contours of nature, will be nestled within the expansive 1,700 acres of ancient woodland in Cornbury Park.
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Luxury amenities by La-Eva launches at The Oxford Collection
The Oxford Collection has announced the launch of its new partnership with La-Eva, a sustainable British wellness brand inspired by organic beauty, a love of art and the alignment of luxury with simplicity.
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The Bell at Charlbury is set to reopen as part of Daylesford Stays this autumn
The Bell at Charlbury will reopen this September and join the newly formed Daylesford Stays – a collection of beautifully restored venues comprising The Wild Rabbit, The Fox and The Cottages
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UPDATED: Homesense opens its first store in Oxford
The first Homesense store (a sister brand to TK Maxx) in Oxford opened at Templars Shopping Park in Cowley, Oxford, on Thursday, 20 April.
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Wake up to Woodstock celebrates 21 years of supporting local businesses
Wake up to Woodstock (WUTW) has celebrated its 21st anniversary as a non-profit association of local businesses with a mission to attract visitors to the market town of Woodstock.
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voco Oxford Spires appoints former MasterChef contestant as Executive Chef
Former MasterChef: The Professionals contestant Claudio Costea joins voco Oxford Spires as Executive Chef, having previously led food and beverage at its sister hotel, voco Oxford Thames, for the ten years.