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.

How the new square could look at the Clarendon Centre (Image: GP Clarendon Square Ltd)

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.

Cothill has been commended in the Small Independent School category at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026, recognising the school’s distinctive approach to education for children aged 7 to 13.

The leading co-educational preparatory school in Oxfordshire is known for its small classes, personalised academic pathways, and outstanding record of preparing children for entry to top senior schools.

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With an average class size of just 13, teachers are able to build a deep understanding of each child, shaping bespoke academic pathways that stretch and support pupils according to their individual strengths and interests.

This personalised approach has consistently helped Cothill pupils go on to secure places at some of the country’s top senior schools including Eton, Radley College and Harrow.

The commendation reflects the strength of a community where relationships, not numbers, define the experience, where every child is known, encouraged, and given the confidence to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

The Independent Schools of the Year Awards celebrate excellence across the UK’s independent education sector, with entries judged by an independent panel on the impact and quality of what schools deliver for their pupils and families.

Being commended places Cothill among a select group of schools recognised for outstanding achievement in this category.

Headteacher George May with pupils at Cothill (Image: Cothill)

Cothill will now wait to hear whether it progresses to the finals, with results due in September.

In March, the school announced its inclusion in the prestigious Spears Schools Index.

The school said in a statement at the time: “This recognition is a testament to Cothill’s continued commitment to providing a well-rounded, forward-thinking education while nurturing each pupil’s individual strengths and character.

“The school takes great pride in being acknowledged on such a global stage alongside some of the most respected educational institutions worldwide and particularly for the recognition of our culture of kindness.

“Cothill extends its gratitude to its dedicated staff, supportive parents, and inspiring pupils, all of whom contribute to making the school a vibrant and thriving community.”

Dame Prue, who lives in Moreton-in-Marsh just over the Oxfordshire border, is most famous for judging Channel 4 show The Great British Bake Off, appearing alongside fellow judge Paul Hollywood for nine series.

The 86-year-old joined the series in 2017, replacing Henley resident Dame Mary Berry when it moved from the BBC, but in January this year announced she was bowing out of the Bake Off.

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Even so, she has continued to be featured in the media, with her latest appearance concerning her son Danny Kruger, an MP for Reform UK.

Speaking to Times Radio this week, Dame Prue said she was “worrying” about him in the wake of the death of Ann Widdecombe.

Danny Kruger MP (Image: Victoria Jones/PA)

Ms Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon on Thursday, July 9, at her home in Devon with police having since arrested a 28-year-old man in Rotherham on suspicion of her murder.

The former Conservative minister joined Reform UK in 2019, the same party that Mr Kruger defected to in September 2025, with the party since pushing for more money to be spent on security for MPs.

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Speaking to Times Radio, Dame Prue said: “I haven’t even rung him [her son] up about it because I don’t want him…having to add to the worry the fact that his mother is worrying.”

She added: “Honestly, I think the government will do everything it can to protect MPs and there are dangers in every walk of life and this is one that MPs have to have in the back of their minds.

“But I think it is scary.”