Crime & Safety
Popular UK coffee chain announces opening date for new cafe
The chain, which has a number of cafes across the county including those in Turl Street, Oxford, in Abingdon and Charlbury, is about to open a new cafe at the Trinity building, a centre for lab space at the business park off John Smith Drive, Cowley.
The chain said the new cafe is expected to open on Tuesday, April 14, at 8am, and will be open Monday to Friday and closed at weekends.
READ MORE: Oxford chain opens new cafe in Cotswolds
It said in a statement: “Whether you’re picking up a brew before starting your working day, or meeting colleagues for a catch-up, or escaping for a break at lunchtime, Missing Bean Cowley has the comfortable and adaptable space for any purpose.
“With pastries baked every single morning by our in-house bakery, and coffee roasted daily at our roastery, you can be sure your morning treats will be as fresh and as local as it gets.
“Focaccia sandwiches, toasties and brioche rolls will be available daily with a whole range of seasonal fillings from local farms and suppliers, making a swift lunchtime pit-stop super convenient.”
A spokesperson for Missing Bean added: “The new cafe space will be open on weekdays only, with the building as a whole closed on weekends, but fear not, there are many a Missing Bean open seven days a week just a stones throw away.”
Earlier this month the chain opened a new cafe in Charlbury in west Oxfordshire.
Co-founder of the company Vicky Troth said at the time: “Charlbury is my hometown, so when it came to opening a new site for Missing Bean, it only made sense to do it here.
“The site we’ve chosen is charming; and we’re only an hour outside London, placing us in a location that’s easily accessible to everyone.”
She added: “With the support of the local community, we’ve created a space that celebrates exceptional coffee, where people and sustainability are at the heart of everything we do.
“The new site (in Charlbury) is offering all of the Missing Bean favourites – including ethically-sourced coffee bean varieties all roasted in the company’s own East Oxford roastery – and freshly baked pastries, bread and quick bites.”
Collaborations with the community in Charlbury are also taking place, and the cafe will host events including art pop ups, workshops and gatherings throughout the year.
There are also Missing Bean cafes in Botley and Woodstock.
Founded by Ori Halup and Ms Troth to bring artisan coffee to Oxford, the Missing Bean chain launched its first cafe in Turl Street in 2009.
Government departments are reminding claimants to check their payment dates so they’re not caught off guard by early deposits over long weekends.
Child Benefit is normally paid on Mondays and Tuesdays, so anyone due a payment on Easter Monday should get it early.
“We always move payments forward when a bank holiday falls on the usual day, so people get their money in time,” a DWP spokesperson said.
Easter 2026: April payments moved forward
For many households, Easter will bring an early arrival of money.
Payments due April 6 2026 (including pensions, Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, and other DWP support) will instead arrive on April 2 2026.
HMRC and DWP explain that bank holidays mean banks are closed, so payments are brought forward to ensure claimants still have access to funds.
May and spring bank holidays
Other early payments this spring include:
- 4 May → 1 May (early May bank holiday)
- 25 May → 22 May (spring bank holiday)
This affects pensioners, Universal Credit recipients, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Child Benefit, and other regular payments.
Summer and autumn changes
Later in 2026, further adjustments apply depending on location:
- 3 August → 4 August (Scotland only)
- 4 August → 5 August (Scotland only)
- 31 August → 28 August (all UK)
- 28 December → 24 December
- 29 December → 30 December (Northern Ireland only)
Regional public holidays in Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee) and Northern Ireland can also affect payment timing.
Why DWP payments change
The DWP and HMRC adjust schedules to ensure that:
- Claimants receive money before the bank closes
- There is no gap in essential support
- Payments arrive predictably despite long weekends
However, claimants should remember that after early payments, the next payment will follow the normal schedule, which may create a slightly longer gap between instalments.
Recommended reading:
How to check your payment
- Look at your bank statement – payments normally appear with references like “DWP Pension” or “HMRC Child Benefit”
- For those on Universal Credit, check the online account for exact payment dates
- If a payment seems late, check with your bank first, then contact the DWP or HMRC if necessary
“Knowing when payments will arrive helps households manage their budgets, especially around busy bank holiday weekends,” a DWP spokesperson said.
The 65-year-old former Top Gear and Grand Tour host is to guest star as the auctioneer at his local lido in Chipping Norton.
Mr Clarkson, a resident of Chadlington on his 1,000-acre farm Diddly Squat, has been a regular at Chipping Norton Lido for some years.
Last year, he helped raise £15,500 for the community-run swimming pool and the year prior it was £13,500 with Clarkson’s Farm co-star Kaleb Cooper’s promise of a personal tractor lesson in Mr Clarkson’s Lamborghini tractor the highest ticket of the night.
READ MORE: Judge rules ‘no chance of success’ in fight against congestion charge
The latest auction is to happen on Friday, May 8 at Chipping Norton Town Hall.
A spokesman for the auction said: “Catch him while you can – Jeremy Clarkson is returning for one last outing as auctioneer raising vital funds for The Lido.
“Our Auction of Promises will take place on Friday 8 May in Chipping Norton Town Hall and features a host of promises ranging from a clutch of Scotch eggs to the chance to see Jack Savoretti in concert and meet him backstage.
“Tickets are on sale now for what is always a highly entertaining night in a very good cause.”
Among previous items for sale was a conation from Blur bassist-turned-cheesemaker Alex James, who lives in nearby Kingham.
He donated a Blue Monday Cheese plus tickets to his food and music event The Big Feastival.
James Alder and Brendon Shamu were sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, March 27.
Alder, 21, of Limborough Road, Wantage, and Shamu, 27, of Field Gardens, Steventon, near Abingdon, were both charged with drug dealing offences in Abingdon between October 1 last year and January 23 this year.
READ MORE: Oxford – Photo released of dealer who hid drugs in deodorant can
Both men pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin.
Shamu also pleaded guilty to being in possession of criminal property, namely £8,795 in cash.
The court heard they were involved with a county drugs line called the Dior Line.
Shamu was jailed for a total of 49 months and Alder for three years.
Orders were made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs, paraphernalia, phones and cash.
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