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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

Tommy Robinson ‘not welcome in Oxford’ after ‘inciting riot’

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Oxford Stand Up To Racism has accused Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, of inciting the ‘awful violent scenes’ in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2).

The city where 18-year-old Henry Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived became a scene of destruction after hundreds descended to smash car windows, hurl bricks and cause eleven officers and a police dog to be injured.

READ MORE: New date set for Tommy Robinson appearance in Oxford

Following the disorder, the chief of Hampshire police said those involved were ‘determined to spark fear and division’.

Screen grab taken from PA Video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. Vickrum Digwa was jailed at Southampton Crown Court for life with a minimum term of 21 years for the murder of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. Digwa stabbed Henry to death with a Sikh kirpan ceremonial knife five times in the incident in Belmont Road, Southampton, on December 3 2025. Picture date: Tuesday June 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jamie Lashmar/PA WireScreen grab taken from a video of police and protestors clashing in Southampton during a protest following the death of Henry Nowak. (Image: Jamie Lashmar/PA Wire)

Yaxley-Lennon, who has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences including when he was imprisoned in October 2024 for contempt of caught, addressed the crowd at the riot.

He said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.

“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”

Oxford Stand Up to Racism is now renewing its call for the Oxford Union to withdraw its invitation for the ‘riot agitator’ to speak on June 17 on the subject of Islam.

He was originally due to speak at the historic debating society on Thursday, May 28 before his appearance was postponed over security concerns and after massive backlash.

Oxford protest.A previous Stand Up to Racism protest in Oxford (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene

Ian McKendrick, a member of the anti-racism group, said: “Despite Henry Nowak’s family clearly requesting that his death should not be used to promote further hatred, Robinson was at the centre of protests in Southampton last night and clearly inciting violence.

“Giving him a televised platform at the Oxford Union legitimises hate and violence, and gives him the opportunity to incite violence to an audience of millions. 

“It does not promote free speech – instead, it promotes fear and intimidation among minoritised communities. 

“Already we have seen Oxford fascists alongside Robinson in Southampton and now mobilising to bring more hate onto Oxford’s streets.”

Tommy Robinson with protestors in SouthamptonTommy Robinson with protesters outside Southampton police station (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA)

Members of Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire were called to attend the Southampton protest on Tuesday night, with the leader of the group posting on Facebook to ask followers to join the ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ protest.

Mr McKendrick added: “There is a concerted effort by far right leaders and fascist groups to incite outrage and bring people on to the streets to riot.

READ MORE: Traffic chaos in Witney amid report of ‘major incident’

“We risk an explosion of violence similar to what we saw around the Southport murders across the UK.

“We’re calling on Oxford to say a clear ‘no’ to this hate and division by protesting against Yaxley-Lennon’s appearance at the Oxford Union.”

Faith and civic leaders of Oxford already wrote to the Oxford Union asking it to rescind the controversial figure’s invitation, and hundreds have signed an open letter calling for the same.





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Witney traffic chaos amid report of 'major incident' at junction

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A reported incident at a junction in Witney is causing traffic chaos in the town, with drivers coming off the A40 and elsewhere stuck in long queues.



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Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene

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An incident occurred in St Aldate’s, outside the entrance to Christ Church Meadows, at about 4pm on Tuesday, June 2.

At least three ambulances were responding to what appeared to be a medical emergency on the pavement.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire footbridge over A-road a collapse risk for years

An individual was scene on a stretcher being cared for by paramedics.

Ambulance medical incident St Aldate'sAt least three ambulances responded to what appeared to be a medical emergency in St Aldate’s, Oxford (Image: Contributed)

An eyewitness said the incident occurred opposite the Alice Shop, and the medical teams ‘evacuated’ the person.

Apart from the pavement briefly being blocked while the first responders dealt with the emergency, it did not appear to affect traffic or block the road in busy St Aldate’s.

South Central Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.





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