Local News 2008

 

Christmas Lights and celebrations [8 December 2008]

Summertown info has arranged for the Christmas lights to be put up in Summertown for the second year running. This have been made possible by financial support from Finders Keepers, Shaw Gibbs, NFU Mutual, Oxford City Council and the contractors for the roadworks, Enterprise.

 

There will be a ceremony to mark the completion of the works and the erection of the lights on Tuesday 9 December from 4.30pm outside M&S. Everyone is invited to come along to hear the band play, join in the carol singing and watch the Christmas tree lights being switched on.

 

Works almost finished [6 December 2008]

The work of refurbishing the pavements and road surfaces in Summertown has now almost been completed. A few paving blocks need to be laid around the new trees and some hand rails added, and then the work that has been going on for much of the year will be finished. Summertown will look much smarter as a result, and we think the contractors, Enterprise, deserve credit for their efficient management of the scheme and, given the scale of the works, the surprising lack of disruption caused to local residents and traders.

 

Fair Rents for Traders [25 November 2008]

Mailboxes is the latest business in Summertown to receive an exhorbitant demand that would see their rents almost double. With no Post Office in Summertown, Mailboxes is an essential resource for the local community and, as a local resident says, "should not be forced out by a thoughtless property manager in a faceless investment company". Traders are proposing to work together to demand fair rents so that they can stay in business, and Summertown can retain the wide variety of shops which help to make it such a great place to live.

 

Alexandra Courts [3 October 2008 - revised 7-10-08]

Councillors at the North Area committee meeting yesterday asked Council officials to prepare a proposal based on the favoured option of retaining the hard courts and six of the grass courts and creating a 'park' from the remaining grass courts, and investigate other proposals. The Councillors publicly stated that no facility for indoor tennis would be built.

 

Alexandra Courts [1 October 2008]

Alexandra Courts will be discussed under item 9 on the agenda at the North Area committee meeting tomorrow 2 October. A report prepared by Council officials will be considered. This can be dowloaded here. Points 44-46 of the report suggest that officials are still keen to proceed with the proposal made by Wildwood Leisure.

 

Summertown as part of Oxford's Core Strategy [12 September 2008]

Although Summertown is the smallest neighbourhood area in Oxford, according to the policy document Oxford’s Core Strategy (2026) issued by Oxford City Council, it is recognised as one of five district centres in Oxford, and the only one in north Oxford. These district centres ‘represent distinctive communities based on factors such as neighbourhood shopping centres, townscape character and physical features such as main roads. The document says that Summertown and the other centres provide ‘an important focus for local facilities and services. Their position within the retail hierarchy will continue to offer opportunities to enhance and strengthen their role. The distinctive characteristics of each centre will be promoted, and there is clearly scope for making significant improvements to the public realm and shopping environment to make the centres more attractive.’

 

The document also sets out the Council’s position on the possibility of building houses on the playing fields of Summer Fields School. In brief, the land will be protected from any development apart from housing, but provided other housing sites in Oxford remain viable then this land will not be built on.

 

Alexandra Courts [5 September 2008]

The future of the Alexandra Courts was discussed again at the North Area committee meeting on 4 September, and Council officials were asked to present a report on the future use and management of the courts to the next meeting of the Committee on 2 October. It now seems highly unlikely that the courts will be leased to a private company but the Council has apparently not ended its discussions with Wildwood Leisure.

 

MEB merger [12 August 2008]

Local architects MEB P+P have joined forces with MHB Design Limited to create a new company, MEB Design Limited, with offices in Kent, London and Surrey as well as here in Summertown. Local director Charles Darby said that this move, together with membership of the Keystone Domain association of practices, would enable MEB to be "locally sensitive and yet with the resource and capability of a national practice".

 

Estate Agents' Moves [7 August 2008]

While Savills prepares to move into larger premises in the same block as its current showroom, Knight Frank has decided that Summertown is the place to be and has submitted a planning application (08/01617/FUL) to alter the frontage of 280 Banbury Road. This is the office area of the old North Oxford Garage (shown as 278 on the map).

 

Alexandra Courts [7 July 2008]

The leasing of the Alexandra Courts will be discussed again at the September meeting but Cllr Stuart McCready's proposal that the future use and management of the courts be completely re-examined and openend to full public consultation was agreed by the Committee.

 

North Area Committee Meeting Tonight [3 July 2008]

The issue of a lease on the Alexandra Courts is due to be discussed tonight at the North Area committee meeting. With no separate agenda item it is expected that it will be raised under Open Session and Updates which should begin around 6.30. The agenda can be viewed here.

 

Alexandra Courts Play in [23 June 2008]

The Alexandra Courts were packed with local tennis players on Sunday for the "Play-in". The organiser, Chris Goodall, said that this demonstrated the commuity's desire for the courts to be retained as a public resource. It was also a great community event with young and old enjoying the tennis, tea and cakes.

 

Alexandra Courts Play in [16 June 2008]

A "Play-in" is being organised at the Alexandra Courts on Sunday 22 June to demonstrate the community's desire for this to remain a public facility. See here for more details. Chris Goodall who is helping to orgaise the event can be contacted on 01865 339967or by email at chris@greenoxford.com

 

New John Lewis of Hungerford showroom opens [12 June 2008]

John Lewis of Hungerford opens its Summertown showroom this week. The latest in its expansion plan for the UK, this ‘new look’ Oxford showroom showcases existing and new ranges including the Cool Kitchen, bringing together under one roof both strong colour palettes and natural wood collections.

 

 

Alexandra Courts Public meeting [30 May 2008]

The future of the Alexandra Courts was discussed at a packed meeting of concerned Summertown residents last night. Three Oxford City Council officials were present, along with two Councillors and a director of the developers, Wildwood Leisure Ltd.

 

The meeting was told that the planning application had been withdrawn and that the granting of the lease would be considered at the North Area Committee meeting on 3 July. Comments on the proposal were still welcome and should be sent to the Parks Manager, John Wade, by 6 June.

 

The meeting also learned that if the proposal was not successful there was no alternative plan; the Council has not approached the Lawn Tennis Association for funding; the tree preservation officer is concerned the development will harm the trees; Oxfordshire County Council is worried by the traffic implications; and that the proposed courts complex would be as high as the Esporta building.

 

Andrew Parsons of Wildwood Leisure confirmed that a club would be run from the site with 500-700 members and that all courts would be pay-and-play unless there was a club fixture in which case only one or two courts would be available. All courts would be bookable via a website. Access to the circular walk round the site would be retained.

 

Councillor Jean Fooks, who arranged the meeting, said the proposal contravened so many aspects of the Local Plan, especially in relation to retaining open air sports facilities and green spaces, that it would be have to be specifically waived to allow this proposal to go ahead.

 

Councillor Stuart McCready agreed and warned local residents to be on their guard about all such developments to make sure their voice was heard. But he told the meeting that something would have to be done to increase the income from the site, as the Council could no longer afford to fund the annual loss. One answer may be the proposal to transfer the management of all Oxford’s leisure facilities to a not-for-profit leisure trust.

All comments on this are welcomed by the Council and will be taken into consideration at the meeting on 3 July.

 

North Wall announces details of Summer Festival [16 May 2008]

The North Wall, Summertown's excellent new performing arts centre, has announced the line-up for this year's Summer Festival. It includes cutting-edge drama, world-class musicians, a vibrant selection of satire from the Fringe, student jazz and late night comedy. Click for full info and booking or ring 01865 319450.

 

Summertown gets ready for the Street Festival [15 May 2008]

The organisers of the Summertown Street Festival are gearing up for this year's event on Saturday 17 May. The Festival, which marks the beginning of the annual Artweeks in Summertown, will be held in South Parade this year because of the roadworks in the Banbury Road. The street will be closed to traffic and a stage will be erected outside the Oxford Guitar Gallery.The musical entertainment will be kicked off by Cooper Black at 10am followed by The Immposters at 11.30, kingB at 1pm, Dnote at 2.30 and, closing the show at 4-5pm, will be Disclosure. The ever-popular Capoeira will be dancing from 2 to 3.30pm.

 

Alexandra Courts Public meeting [9 May 2008]

There will be a Public meeting to discuss the plan for Alexandra Courts at the Summertown Church Hall, Portland Road on Thursday 29 May at 7.45pm

 

Alexandra Courts meeting tonight [8 May 2008]

Alexandra Courts will be discussed at the North Area Committee meeting this evening, despite earlier denials by Cllr Jean Fooks who said it had been removed from the agenda. Everyone who is concerned about the privatisation of the Courts is urged to attend the meeting at the North Oxford Association Community Centre next to the Ferry Centre. The meeting starts at 5pm and the Courts are likely to be discussed shortly before 6.30pm

Alexandra Courts petition [2 May 2008]

An online petition has been set up to ask the Council to reconsider granting a lease on the Alexandra Tennis Courts to a private company.You can sign the petition here.

 

NFU Mutual sets up in Summertown [30 April 2008]

Major insurer NFU Mutual is opening a new local office in Summertown.

The new office forms part of the insurer’s plan to increase its network of local offices and offer more customers the opportunity to benefit from NFU Mutual’s personal service.

Harvey Merrins, who has worked for NFU Mutual for 12 years, will run the new office. Harvey commented, "I am delighted to be opening the new office in Oxford and helping to expand NFU Mutual’s customer base. We offer quality advice and customer service and we look forward to delivering this to the local community.”

In addition to providing general insurance for homes, vehicles and businesses, NFU Mutual also has a wide range of pensions, investments and life protection products. NFU Mutual also offers Finance and Risk Management Services.

 

Plans for Alexandra tennis courts are made public [29 April 2008]

After months of speculation some information has emerged about the plan to privatise the municipal tennis courts off Middle Way. The proposal is that the City Council enters into an agreement with Wildwood Leisure Limited to develop the tennis court area. The proposal is a fairly fundamental change to the site and includes changing rooms and possibly floodlights. No mention has yet been made of the plan to cover the courts. While it is anticipated that the charges for using the complex will be much increased, no figures have been made public. It is unlikely, however, that this is a philanthropic venture.

It is notable that no public consultation has been carried out to ascertain the views of the local residents who use the courts and for whom the area, including a children's play area and a basketball court, is the only public open land in Summertown. If you have an opinion on this and would like our local councillors to know it, they may be contacted at the following email addresses:

Alan Armitage    Oxford92@aol.com

Jim Campbell     cllrjcampbell@oxford.gov.uk 

Jean Fooks       cllrjfooks@oxford.gov.uk

John Goddard    johngoddard@ntlworld.com

Weekend fire damages wall [28 April 2008]

A fire and explosion in one of the flats above Costa coffee on the corner of Banbury Road and Oakthorpe Road has caused a large crack at the corner of the front and side walls. Safety officials were concerned that the entire front elevation might fall into the street. The wall has been stabilised with scaffolding but the road is still closed to through-traffic from Stratfield Road to Banbury Road.

 

John Lewis of Hungerford [11 March 2008]

There is still no date for when the new John Lewis of Hungerford shop will be opening in South Parade but MD Jon Rosby says of the move to Summertown: "Summertown and the surrounding areas present an exciting opportunity for John Lewis of Hungerford. With homes of distinction and an eye for bespoke design and hand finished quality, residents of Oxford and the Cotswolds are the ideal fit for the John Lewis of Hungerford brand."

 

A New Future for North Oxford Garage [6 March 2008]

More businesses will be moving to Summertown as the fate of the old North Oxford Garage becomes clearer. It seems the site has been acquired by Majestic Wine Warehouse who plan to use part of the front, and let the remainder as offices or other shops. The old car workshops at the back will be occupied by Kwik Fit who will operate their usual exhaust and MOT service.

Planning permission has been granted for the change of use to the front (07/02270/FUL) and the maximum level and duration of noise permitted is being amended (08/00471/VAR). The amendment slightly reduces the level but significantly increases the duration of maximum noise. Planning applications can be viewed here.

 

John Lewis of Hungerford [5 February 2008]

The latest firm to decide to move to Summertown is the bespoke kitchen and furniture business John Lewis of Hungerford who will be opening in South Parade. They will be moving into a shop which has had three very different occupants in the past five years: a pet shop, a Council parking & payments shop, and Printing.com. No news yet on when they will be opening.

 

Starbucks coming to Summertown [28 January 2008]

Starbucks is coming to Summertown and will open in the former Bakehouse café on the Banbury Road which closed when Costa Coffee arrived. The opening date has not been  confirmed but when Starbucks opens Summertown will have 12 coffee outlets. Read what the Oxford Mail has to say about it here.

 

Final Plan for New-look Summertown [18 January 2008]

There will be an exhibition of the final agreed plan for the restyling of Summertown, and changed parking arrangements, at Summertown Church Hall (corner of Banbury Road and Portland Road) on Friday 25 January 16.00-20.00 and Saturday 26 January 10.00-14.00. Everyone is welcome to go along, and representatives from the County Coucil will be there to answer questions.Details of the scheme can be viewed here.

 

New Light on the Banbury Road [15 January 2008]

The Banbury Road in Summertown is getting new lamp standards. We can say goodbye to the sodium glare and enjoy white light. The works, which will last a week, involve replacing all the lamp standards between Diamond Place and South Parade with tapered aluminium columns and white light lanterns. These will, according to Tim Parker who is the Assistant Principal Engineer for Electrical Services at Oxfordshire County Council, "provide improved colour rendering properties and better uniformity". Phase 2, which will see the replacement of the lamp standards from St. Margaret’s Road to Diamond Place will take place in May/June 2008.

 

Local News 2007