Oxford News
Bitcoin millionaire asked £224k towards Oxford cycle parking
Israeli-Canadian Bitcoin millionaire investor Roy Sebag, who owns GoldMoney Properties, bought the Clarendon Centre in 2024 for more than £30m.
Since last year, the centre has been closed with retailers including TK Maxx moving to the Westgate shopping centre or other locations.
Earlier this year, the business has sent in plans to Oxford City Council to revamp the centre and square.
Oxfordshire County Council has now asked the developer for £224,060 to put towards parking spaces for bicycles in Queen Street and Cornmarket Street.
Tim Peart, transport technical lead at County Hall, has written a letter to Oxford City Council requesting the money from the developer.
Mr Peart said: “The applicant proposes that a number of public cycle parking spaces could be accommodated on Queen Street and Cornmarket Street.
“Identifying suitable locations for more cycle parking in the city centre has always been a challenge.
“In addition, the scheme that OCC are collecting contributions towards will include cycle parking and other alterations to those streets.
“I would be keen to avoid abortive works whereby the applicant installs public cycle parking spaces only for these to be removed and relocated at some point after.
“Given that the Queen Street / Cornmarket Street scheme will include cycle parking, we propose that this matter is resolved through the contribution to that scheme.”
Kevin Cox, of Thames Valley Police, said the force has concerns around the proposed “large and enclosed” public cycle store.
He said it “limits surveillance” over the bicycles and will create “opportunities for concealed theft attempts” from the storage.
“Details need to be provided regarding how public cycle storage will be adequately protected from targeted theft attempts,” he said.
Mr Cox added: “The proposed development is likely to become a key focal space within the city centre, providing an area of public open space, of which there is currently very little within the locality.
“Following extensive meetings with the applicants and site owners, I am confident that their proposals for site management and maintenance are robust, realistic and achievable.”
Nick Small, for Oxford Bus Company, said: “Successive major development projects and not least the Westgate, have shown that the [cycle] space required is not insubstantial, and accommodating it is not straightforward without potentially causing wider conflicts.
“We note that the applicants have worked hard to maximise provision without unduly burdening pedestrian circulation and the wider experience of the public realm.
“With this challenge in view, it is appropriate to highlight the frequency, capacity and range of bus services serving the site, which by any measure, are exceptional.”
Oxford City Council will decide on the plans in due course.
Roger Longshaw, a member of The Oxfordshire Golf Club in Thame, will begin the challenge at 4.30am on Friday, July 17, playing through to 9.45pm.
Over the course of the day, he is expected to cover around 65 miles and climb the equivalent of 4,500ft.
The effort forms part of the club’s Captain’s Charity Day, organised by captain Chris Webb in support of the MND Association, in memory of his brother-in-law Dave, who died from the disease in 2022.
Mr Webb said: “Seeing what Dave and my sister went through was awful and I’m determined to do what I can to help others.”
Alongside the challenge, an 18-hole charity tournament will tee off at 9.30am.
Luke Robson, from the MND Association, said the event would make a real difference, adding that during the time it takes to complete the challenge, around six people in the UK will be diagnosed with MND.
“Thanks to the efforts of people like Roger, Chris and the players at The Oxfordshire Golf Club, we can help to fund more research which gets us closer to the development of potential new treatments for people with this devastating disease,” he added.
To support the fundraiser, email roger.longshaw@longshaws.com or visit mndassociation.org.
Award-winning pub The Dolphin in St Mary’s Street, Wallingford, has been named as a finalist in the Great British Pub Awards 2026.
The awards, described as ‘the Oscars of the pub industry’, highlight the very best boozers in Britain, and select their shortlist across 16 categories from an ‘incredible number of top-quality entries’.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire’s future decided as councils to be abolished
The Dolphin has been shortlisted as one of six pubs under the ‘best Greene King pub’ category.
Emma Cox, landlady, said: “To even be named as a finalist is something we’re genuinely speechless about.
“We pour everything we’ve got into this pub, and to have that recognised on a national stage is an incredible feeling.
“This is for our amazing team and every one of you who has supported us, filled the bar, cheered at the football, eaten with us, laughed with us, and made The Dolphin what it is.
READ MORE: Planning and development news in and around Oxford
“Whatever happens next, we’ll be celebrating this one. Thank you for being part of our journey.”
It’s not the first time the Greene King pub has won recognition, after being crowned the brand’s Pub of the Year 2026 at the Night of Excellence Awards in April.
The pub has been proudly run by Ms Cox and her family for 23 years, is considered the heart of the community in town and was even recognised by King Charles when the landlady was invited to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party for her service to Wallingford.
David Taylor, 61, of Oakley Court, Benson, was driving a Ford Transit on Victoria Embankment in Westminster when he was recorded exceeding the 20mph limit.
At Willesden Magistrates’ Court on July 15, he pleaded guilty under the single justice procedure.
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Taylor was fined £160 and ordered to pay £60 in costs and a £64 victim surcharge.
His driving record was endorsed with three penalty points.
The court heard that he faced exceptional hardship as he relied on his licence for work, is the sole breadwinner, and his income covers the household bills and mortgage.
He must pay the full amount by August 12.
The offence took place on January 16 this year.
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