Business & Technology
Bicester fish and chip shop reopens under new management
The Finest Catch in Bicester welcomed customers back to the store in Kingsmere on Monday, May 18 under the new management of Paul Kleanthous.
The chippy, which closed in spring last year, will serve the usual cod and haddock, starting at £9, with a small cone of chips starting at £3. A large sausage is £2.50.
READ MORE: Former Oxford pub tenants in £30,000 debt enter liquidation
The Finest Catch re-opened under new management (Image: JJ Photography)
Other items on the menu include beef and chicken burgers, starting at £4.50, and kebabs, starting at £7.95.
It will be open from Monday to Saturday from noon to 2pm and again from 4.30pm to 9pm.
There will be no delivery or online collection services until the shop is fully staffed.
Business & Technology
Major milestone as Oxford North office and labs now open
Located within Oxford North, a £1.2 billion innovation district, the fully fitted lab and office space marks the latest milestone in the development of the 64-acre site.
The space is designed to support start-ups, spin-outs, and established businesses across the life sciences, technology and artificial intelligence sectors.
Simon Ruck, managing director of Oxford North, said: “Oxford North has been purposely designed to support businesses at all stages of their development, from start-ups to scale-ups to global corporates.
“Fast-growing businesses require flexible, adaptable space, and this fully fitted lab space means companies can expand quickly in line with funding and research milestones, saving time and costs on fit-outs and delivering operational efficiencies.
“This is essential for smaller companies across the science, technology and innovation sectors.
“Delivering this latest phase at Oxford North, on time, is an important step as we continue building out one of the UK’s most dynamic mixed-use ecosystems, which benefits stakeholders across the city and beyond.”
The new labs, totalling 13,500 sq ft, include on-site technical support, a shared equipment room, and access to specialised facilities such as an -80°C freezer and a fume cupboard.
The associated write-up space features sit-stand desks and has a direct data connection to its lab.
Oxford North’s first phase also includes The Red Hall, a 33,000 sq ft workspace hub spread across four floors.
A new 100-seat auditorium is part of the community-focused amenities on the ground floor of The Red Hall and is available for hire.
Designed to support collaboration across the district, the auditorium can be used for conferences, lectures, or subdivided for smaller meetings and seminars.
Co-working and breakout areas for up to 40 people are located nearby, alongside Taylor’s Oxford North café, which faces Fallaize Park.
The scheme is being delivered by Oxford North Ventures, a joint venture between Thomas White Oxford (the development arm of St John’s College), Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and London property developer Stanhope.
Kevin Darvishi, head of leasing at Stanhope, said: “This is the latest milestone in our vision to create the UK’s leading purpose-built innovation district which caters for the whole science and technology lifecycle ecosystem.”
Oxford North already counts international law firm Mishcon de Reya among its occupiers.
The firm recently signed a five-year lease for 3,500 sq ft of office space on the first floor of The Red Hall.
Business & Technology
Thames Water customers to use water wisely after dry Spring
The company is reminding people across the Thames supply region to conserve water as spring has so far been ‘very dry’.
A spokesman for Thames Water said: “This spring has been very dry so far and it is vital that we all play our part and use water wisely through periods of dry weather.
“Our water resources are in a reasonably healthy place now, but we are constantly monitoring reservoir levels, groundwater levels, and river flows.
“We all have a role to play when it comes to saving water and we encourage everybody to play their part in conversing resources where possible.”
Thames Water supplies more than 2.6 billion litres of water each day to 10.1 million customers.
Approximately 70 per cent of that supply comes from rivers and reservoirs, with the remaining 30 per cent drawn from underground aquifers.
In April 2026, just 38 per cent of the long-term average rainfall was recorded across England, according to the Met Office.
Temperatures were also 1.1C higher than average, making it the seventh warmest April on record.
The South East was classified as a ‘seriously water stressed’ region by the Government in 2007.
Thames Water continues to monitor conditions closely and promote water efficiency to help protect against potential shortages.
Business & Technology
Indian restaurant gains five stars after previous zero food hygiene rating
An Indian restaurant in Bicester has turned its food hygiene rating around, jumping from a low zero score to a five-out-of-five ‘very good’ rating.
Source link
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoYoung farmers club hosts fun farm competitions in Bicester
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoMajor UK firm collapses in administration with nearly 700 jobs at risk
-
Oxford united FC4 weeks agoOxford United chairman statement to fans after relegation
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoChinese takeaway forced into 'bitter' closure after 'hatred and resentment'
-
UK News4 weeks agoWoman murdered sister and took her Rolex watch
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoMan arrested in connection with rape in Oxfordshire town
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoOxfordshire father ‘bitten’ by man who approached his daughter
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoBanbury woman jailed after lying to police about kidnapped children
