Crime & Safety
Sadness as popular Oxfordshire nightclub announces closure
In a statement published on social media Zinc & Fever Banbury has said it will close its doors on Saturday, March 21, although its owners have listed the property as being under offer.
Stonegate Group, which owns the premises, say it is under offer with its ideal operator being an “experienced late-night operator or entrepreneurial hospitality professional with a flair for entertainment, events, and atmosphere”.
A spokesperson for Zinc and Fever said yesterday (Tuesday, March 17): “After many amazing years, the time has come for us to say goodbye.
READ MORE: Man arrested for causing distress, harassment and anti-social behaviour
“ZINC & Fever Banbury will soon be closing its doors on the 21st of March.”
The nightclub has a 4.9 star rating based on almost 500 Google reviews and has been open since 2019.
They added: “We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey- our incredible staff, loyal regulars and everyone who came to celebrate, dance, laugh and make memories with us.
“From unforgettable nights out to special celebrations, you made this place what it was. The music, the energy and the community here in Banbury will always mean so much to us.
“We’re proud of all the memories we created together, and we’re grateful for every single person who walked through our doors.
“Thank you for the support over the years-Banbury, you’ve been amazing.”
Zinc and Fever Banbury is on the High Street (Image: Google Maps)
Reacting to the statement, members of the town’s community expressed their surprise and sadness at the news, and reminisced on social media about times spent in the venue.
A woman said: “We had good times in there with everyone.”
A man called it the “end of an era”, while another person predicted that someone else will take over the venue.
Indeed Stonegate has said that the nightclub is under offer, listing its forecast turnover per week as £17,924 and its guide rent as being £40,000 annually.
Stonegate’s regional manager said about the property: “Zinc & Fever are two exciting venues with huge potential to dominate Banbury’s nightlife scene.
READ MORE: Collapsed UK car manufacturer update after administration and redundancies
“They’re already well known locally as the go-to late-night spots, but there’s a fantastic opportunity here for an ambitious operator to really make them their own.
“The layout gives you great flexibility — you could run two completely different club concepts under one roof, each appealing to a different crowd.
“With VIP booths, spacious dance floors, and the option to expand trading hours, there’s plenty of scope to grow the offer and drive consistent weekend trade.”
They added: “For someone passionate about entertainment, events, and nightlife, this is a brilliant chance to take on a flagship site and make a real mark.”
Crime & Safety
Tommy Robinson ‘not welcome in Oxford’ after ‘inciting riot’
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 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.
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 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.
Crime & Safety
Witney traffic chaos amid report of 'major incident' at junction
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.
Source link
Crime & Safety
Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene
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.
At 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.
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoWaitrose supermarkets across UK shut due to ‘critical error’
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoMan arrested in connection with rape in Oxfordshire town
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoBanbury woman jailed after lying to police about kidnapped children
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoHow to spend a day in Harpsden among UK’s poshest villages
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoStage Watch: Somerset House enters the comedy arena with major new festival Laughterama
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoStrictly Come Dancing new hosts reportedly Emma Willis
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoCBI posts 14% revenue rise as payment services grow
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoUK Hantavirus update as 22 ship passengers moved to hospital
