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Closed Oxford pharmacy could be replaced with ice cream shop

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Cowan’s Pharmacy in St Michael’s Street, Oxford, was run by pharmacist Adil Cowan after he set up shop independently following the closure of the pharmacy he ran in the Boswells department store in 2020.

But this newspaper reported in August 2021, shortly after its opening, that Cowan’s had been refused a licence to dispense NHS prescriptions after competitor Boots objected to the plans.

READ MORE: Oxford – Paedophile jailed for sexually abusing girl 25 years ago

It is not known what caused the closure of the pharmacy in St Michael’s Street, but the company was dissolved in February this year. Mr Cowan could not be reached for comment.

Cowan's Pharmacy, St Michael's St, 2021, Mr Cowan and pharmacist. Cowan’s Pharmacy in St Michael’s Street closed at the end of last year, picture: 2021 (Image: Ed Nix)

Now, new plans have been submitted for the former pharmacy to be turned into an ice cream shop, called Aromi.

An applications for alterations to the existing shopfront at 1-3 St Michael’s Street has been submitted to Oxford City Council.

The proposal includes repainting the shop, added new signage and installed a sash window to serve ice cream and other products directly to customers on the street during the summer.

READ MORE: Oxford – Fears over wildlife and smells at 3,000 homes plan

A planning document by Clark Architecture and Design submitted on behalf of the applicant said: “This proposal seeks to enhance and enliven the existing outdoor dining experience through the creation of a small opening.

“This feature will provide direct access to the restaurant’s interior while serving as an outlet for products to be served straight to the street, adding a level of theatre to the current street scene.”

The application is set to be decided by the council by mid-May.





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Crime & Safety

I’m A Celeb’s Sinitta slams Gemma Collins’ acting career

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Collins, 45, who has been struggling with life in the jungle, was confronted by pop star Sinitta.

It came after the campmates merged again after previously being split into two camps.

The singer questioned Gemma’s career and talent, referring to the TV personality as a “comedian”.

Tension rises in camp as Sinitta questions Gemma Collins’ career

In her original series, Collins quit after three days because she struggled with the environment in Australia, but she has called her appearance on the South African version of the TV show a “redemption”.

Sinitta asked the reality TV star about the musical Chicago, which Collins had been due to feature in as Matron “Mama” Morton in 2022, but had to withdraw from the production due to a “terrible injury”.

The singer, who has also featured in Chicago on stage, told Collins she thought the casting was a “joke announcement”.

Collins replied: “It’s not a joke, Sinitta, I auditioned for it fair and square.

“Did all the training and everything, had a voice coach.”

Sinitta explains: “I think you had just presented something, some awards, and fallen off the stage – it was like you were more of a comedian.”

Comparing her to US socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, Sinitta adds: “Very camp, very glamorous.


Winners of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here


“You don’t really do anything, but you make a great entrance and make everybody laugh.

“I didn’t know you could actually sing, dance and all that jazz.”

Former Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt and comedian Seann Walsh look shocked as they listened to the tense discussion.

Gemma defended herself, saying: “I don’t think you’d get cast as Mama Morton in Chicago if you didn’t pass the audition.”

Speaking to the camera in a segment where she’s alone, Gemma said: “I’m not a joke, darling.

“I am not a joke.

“I have done everything in my life on my own.

“So I was just taken aback, but it was just a bit weird.”

Fans seemed to enjoy the drama with one sharing on X: “Sinitta Just digging herself further into this hole with what shes said to Gemma Collins

“#ImACeleb #ImACelebSouthAfrica”, adding a GIF of a man inside a big hole digging to make it bigger.


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Another fan suggested: “I think Sinitta feels a bit threatened by the possibility of loss of screen time since Gemma Collins joined main camp! #ImACeleb”.

Someone else said they thought Sinitta was “harsh”: “Sinitta Malone was a bit Harsh tonight.

“I mean, I Had to Google her Last Name.

“So Gemma Collins is more well-known than her.”

How to watch I’m A Celebrity… South Africa

I’m A Celebrity… South Africa is on at 9pm on ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player.

You can watch new episodes of the ITV show on weeknights.

Are you watching the new series? Let us know your favourite campmate in the comments below.





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Faringdon teenager facing rape trial denied bail by court

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Charlie Page was the subject of a hearing at Oxford Crown Court for an application for bail on Wednesday, April 8.

The 19-year-old has been charged with one count of oral rape and one count of assault by penetration.

READ MORE: Man found dead after major police response at Culham Lock

The offences are said to have been committed against a 13-year-old girl in Oxford on January 8.

Judge Nigel Daly refused to grant Page bail ahead of the trial.

The next hearing related to the case has been set for April 17 with the view to bringing the defendants trial date forward, as the current date of December 14 is outside of his new custody time limit.





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Delayed GP surgery for Didcot gets a new developer

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Great Western Park, a 3,300-home estate is due to be finished this year, and was initially granted planning permission in 2008, with a new GP surgery included. 

The planning permission for the new surgery dates back about 10 years but there have been repeated delays.

Didcot West county councillor Ian Snowdon launched a petition calling for swift action after the previous developer Assura pulled out, and it quickly attracted more than 2,000 signatures online.

Didcot West county councillor Ian Snowdon (Image: Oxford Mail)

He said: “Finding a new developer is a positive step but there is still some legal work to be done.”

Woodlands Medical Centre has appointed London-based Apsley Henley Med Ltd as the new developer for the long-awaited project.

The appointment, confirmed today, follows action taken by the former NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) to identify an alternative developer.

This comes after Assura’s proposal for the new surgery building was deemed unaffordable.

Great Western Park in Didcot (Image: Oxford Mail)

Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage, has repeatedly pressed for updates on the delayed scheme.

In October, he raised the issue in the House of Commons with Health Secretary Wes Streeting urging action to help unblock plans. Following this exchange, Mr Streeting promised to ‘find out what’s gone wrong’.

Mr Glover explained at the time that Great Western Park has added more than 3,000 homes to Didcot, with Valley Park under construction adding over 4,000 more. Yet the GP surgery promised in 2008 remains an empty patch of land.

Despite the council having granted planning permission, Woodlands Surgery prepared to run the new facility, and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) supporting the case for one, progress was stalled with NHS England, leaving local primary care services struggling to cope with increasing demand for appointments.

Mr Glover said: “Residents in Great Western Park have waited far too long for the GP surgery that was promised years ago.

“However, today’s announcement is an important step in the right direction. With a new developer now appointed, this should provide the momentum that is needed to get this project up and running.

“My constituents deserve access to primary care that keeps up with housing growth, and I will continue to press the ICB to make sure that this project finally becomes a reality.”

Mr Snowdon’s petition calls for a binding timetable and delivery commitment from the ICB and urgent interim GP capacity measures such as temporary clinical space, additional staff, or expanded appointment capacity.

About £791,000 in developer contributions was secured for the new surgery in 2016.





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