All Souls, Brasenose, Lincoln, and Oriel are working together to revitalise Oxford’s historic Market Quarter, with a particular focus on encouraging independent businesses.
The quarter makes up much of the city’s centre, including Turl Street, High Street, and King Edward Street. All four colleges own properties in the area, many of which are occupied by small businesses. Alongside restoring and redeveloping specific properties, the project is also designed to promote greater collaboration between businesses and the colleges. The colleges have launched a website to boost footfall, and also plan to hold events in the future. Lincoln is already paying for extra cleaning on Turl Street and working on improving lighting.
Many of the colleges have historic connections to businesses in the area. Lincoln, for example, has owned the Mitre Inn, now occupied by Gusto Italian, since 1475. Today, more than 40 cafés, shops, and restaurants sit on property owned by the four colleges. The colleges hope that their long-term approach to managing their properties will help give independent retailers the confidence to settle in the area.
In a joint statement to Cherwell, the colleges said that they plan to work with existing businesses to “build on what makes this part of Oxford distinctive”. They hope the investment will improve the experience of students, residents, and tourists who use the streets by encouraging “a strong mix of independent and specialist retailers, alongside interesting places to eat and drink”. The colleges have decided to work together on this project so they can “develop a particular feel to the area” and provide “a distinctive and attractive shopping and leisure experience”, compared with destinations like Westgate, which focuses on national brands.
Shepherd and Woodward on Turl Street agreed, telling Cherwell: “Whilst we recognise that there is a demand for T-shirts and memorabilia, Oxford would be a less attractive area if every shop sold tourist goods or Harry Potter goods.”
Students also stand to benefit from the income generated by this investment. The rent businesses pay helps subsidise student accommodation – often in the flats above – as well as tuition and financial support, which at Lincoln amounts to £1.8 million annually.
Cherwell spoke to several local businesses, many of whom expressed gratitude for the support offered by the colleges. This includes Vaults and Garden, a cafe now located on King Edward Street, which faced a prolonged legal battle over their previous location in Radcliffe Square. The cafe owner, William Pouget, told Cherwell that Oriel’s support has “really mattered” when the businesses faced “unprecedented difficulties”. “In my experience,” he added, “Oxford colleges are understanding, compassionate and responsible landlords who take their ethical obligations seriously”.
Missing Bean, a cafe on Turl Street, also emphasised the “good relationship” they have with Lincoln. Ori Halup, Co-Founder and Director of Missing Bean, told Cherwell: “The colleges can play a big part through their investment and the businesses they bring into their properties.” The business hopes the college’s investment will lead to expanded outdoor seating and a curation of “a thoughtful mix” of shops, restaurants, and cafés.
For some local businesses, this town-and-gown partnership is relatively recent. All Souls only purchased its High Street properties in 2020. The College plans to restore the historic shopfronts and create space above for seminar rooms and offices. A spokesperson for All Souls told Cherwell: “We believe that the project will be very much to the benefit of the Market and city centre generally, as well as to the academic mission of the College.”
According to plans displayed on their website, the project is also designed to help preserve the “historic features of the buildings… wherever possible, including early stonework, roof timbers and historic ceilings.”
