Crime & Safety
Oxford homeless will be supported by new advice centre
The aim is to strengthen the focus on homelessness prevention, building on the significant investment in prevention services over recent years.
The new service will operate from the building at 15-17 George Street, where George Street Hotel is also located, and will replace a similar service now operating from the city’s central library at Westgate.
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The city council has stressed the new service will not be a centre for rough sleepers as there are drop-in centres already operating in other parts of the city, such as The Gatehouse in St Giles.
It will be for any homeless households in Oxford including families with children, and the council says the new service will deliver “projected savings” of £150,000 a year.
Nigel Chapman, cabinet member for citizen focused services, said: “With the move to George Street, we are significantly strengthening our face-to-face offer for residents while delivering real value for money.
“This new centre will allow us to provide a five-day-a-week service in a space designed for privacy, accessibility, and effective partnership working.
“This is a positive step forward for both residents and staff, and one that ensures we can continue delivering high-quality support in the heart of Oxford.”
The number of rough sleepers in the city has fallen year on year since 2023, according to rough sleeper count figures released by the council.
Spot checks showed there were 46 rough sleepers in 2023, 41 in 2024 and 32 in 2025 although the council acknowledges the counts may not provide an entirely accurate picture of the precise total number of rough sleepers.
Currently, most homelessness assessments are carried out by phone, but in-person services allow more tailored support, better identification of health needs, and improved decision-making.
The council’s existing customer service function at the central library is also expected to relocate to the new centre.
Work is under way to establish the service, with a planned launch in spring 2026.
The council currently provides face-to-face appointments from the customer service centre located at the central library, a space shared with Oxford Citizens Advice.
The library does not have the space for new expanded in-person services, with desk space available only on Tuesdays and Thursdays for clients needing support with housing.
At 15–17 George Street, an open-plan unit will provide a reception area, open-plan desks, three private interview rooms, and single-floor facilities for staff and residents.
The new centre will allow the council to increase face-to-face homelessness service availability from the current two days a week to a five-day-a-week service.
The site’s central location makes it easy to reach using public transport from all parts of the city.
The projected annual saving will be made through a reduction in placements to costly emergency accommodation, according to the council.
There is a coordinated approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in Oxford.
The city council works with Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance – a partnership of six local charities – Aspire, St Mungo’s, A2Dominion, Connection Support, Elmore, and Homeless Oxfordshire.
Cherwell District Council is working alongside Banbury Town Council and the Quays Consortium to prepare a formal expression of interest for the new national competition, which aims to celebrate the cultural and heritage contributions of towns across the country.
David Hingley, leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “I’m proud to confirm that alongside our partners we will be submitting an expression of interest for Banbury to be recognised as the UK Town of Culture 2028.
“This competition is our opportunity to show the rich, diverse and historic heritage that makes Banbury so special and unique, and to leave a lasting legacy for the future.
“From our outdoor market, thriving community initiatives, popular festivals, grassroots arts and wellbeing projects, to youth sporting programmes, culture is already at the heart of Banbury, and this bid will help us shine a spotlight on the town, its people and its stories.”
The UK Town of Culture 2028 winner will receive £3 million to deliver a six-month programme of cultural events and activities.
Banbury’s expression of interest will showcase its distinct identity and outline how the programme could broaden resident engagement, increase access to arts and heritage, and involve communities in shaping the design and legacy of the programme.
The council is engaging with partners such as Banbury Museum, The Mill Arts Centre, cultural organisations, businesses, and community groups to strengthen the bid and realise the town’s cultural ambitions.
Helen & Douglas House, which cares for terminally ill children and their families, launched its revamped clothing store on March 12.
The updated shop was opened by BBC Radio Oxford presenter Adam Ball and joins the charity’s refurbished homeware shop, which reopened last September and occupies the other half of the unit.
Baljit Dhindsa, head of retail at Helen & Douglas House, said: “We are delighted to unveil the refurbished space, which has been thoughtfully redesigned to create a brighter, more modern shopping environment while continuing our commitment to sustainability.
“The new layout allows us to showcase an even wider selection of clothing and accessories, with improved displays and more space on the shop floor.
“We have also enhanced accessibility within the shop, including adding an additional accessible fitting room to ensure a comfortable experience for all our customers.”
The reimagined boutique-style shop features a contemporary, urban-inspired design with vintage touches and improved backroom facilities, allowing for increased donations and more efficient sorting.
Proceeds from the store directly support Helen & Douglas House’s hospice care in Oxford and in people’s homes.
Ms Dhindsa said: “When you buy something from our shop for £5, this could pay for arts and crafts materials for local terminally ill children to make Mother’s Day cards whilst staying at the hospice in Oxford.
“Our spring collection is now in store so do pop in to checkout our great range of clothing and accessories and take a look at the wonderful transformation of our shop.”
Cotswold Wildlife Park was established by John Heyworth on the Bradwell Grove Estate and opened on Good Friday, March 27, 1970.
It began with 341 animals and has since grown to house more than 1,500 animals across 250 species.
A spokesperson for Cotswold Wildlife Park said: “We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 56 wonderful years of Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens and we’d like to thank our visitors for their loyal support over the years.
“We must thank them for all their support for more than half a century.”
From its early days on a shoestring budget, the park has expanded to include giraffes, which arrived in 2010 for its 40th anniversary, and rhinos such as D’ora, named during its golden jubilee year in 2020.
George the Aldabra giant tortoise is the park’s oldest and only original resident.
To mark the 50th anniversary, keepers made him a special cake during the lockdown.
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