While walking out on to Port Meadow today I noticed this notice on the gate into the Meadow. "Lost Gold Rope Necklace. If Found Please Ring 07776187540" There was a similar note on the other gate that I used to exit. I hate losing things, go I hope that this necklace can be reunited with it's owner.
The last night at The Grapes in George Street was Saturday Night and it was full of regulars who have been concerned that the new brewery that will take over the premises today, Bath Ales, will change the sole of this very popular pub. The bar was full most of the night and got a little wild towards the end of the night. Most in the pub on Saturday night are hoping that Bath Ales will not change the place too much, but they are not convinced from what they have heard, some are concerned that it will not continue to be the pub that staff and actors from the New Theatre across the road visit after shows.
This is going to be a new entrance to the Odeon Cinema in Magdalen Street, it looks like a bit of a mess, but this photo was taken late the evening. There was a sign on the door saying that the cinema open as usual, I am not sure how long this refurbishment is going to take, but I hope that it is more than just the foyer, as the main auditorium needs a little modernising in my opinion. Click here to see a photo taken in July 2007 of this cinema.
Dear Mr Postie, If any items wont fit through the door please del. to Brora 102 High Street thanks! Mr Darn & Stitch.
In Bonn Square this week you will see a large Speedo's trailer promoting the company's swimwear products. I popped into day they have a small selection of the company's range on display and for sale, there is also an interaction swimming game that you can play up on a large screen TV. Bit of a strange time of year to be promoting swimwear?
It ha been about six weeks now since I have been down Walton Street to have a look at this redevelopment by Oxford University to this building, so I think it was time to post another photo, not exactly sure what has changed from this photo? While in the area I could see that the back of the building and roof is all but gone. Other photo's from this spot taken in October and November are here please have a look and compare.
Was up at the Oxford Business Park in Cowley this afternoon and was a little surprised to see a large crane alongside a lot of building activity. This is not an area of Oxford that I visit that often, but when I poked my nose about I spotted this large sign saying that British Gas was going to be moving in to this site once complete. There are lots of businesses in the area, and Oxfam have there international headquarters in this same business park. Nice clear day today as you can see from this photo.
I am not sure if this is early or not? We have had a mild winter in Oxford so far this year, so I might be thinking that this is a little early, if so I will have to get down the High Street as there is a great blossom tree down near the church. The forecast for the rest of January is chilly, so I hope that these have not come out too early. It was March the 17th last year that I took the photo of the Cherry Blossom, have a look here.
You have have read in the news today that the book retailer Waterstone's has decided that in the digital age an apostrophe is not needed and will rebrand all its stores in the coming months and become Waterstones. The Oxford store this afternoon still had the old branding up, and will do for a little time I have been told. 
Great little pub in the middle of busy George Street. There is speculation that this pub is going to change hand's shortly, the regulars are hoping that the new owners do not change this place to much when and if a new brewery takes over this place. Have you ever been in The Grapes? I am not that it has had a number of names over the years.
A customer is standing outside the now closed Barratts Shoe store in Queen Street Oxford. The company went into administration just after Christmas I only noticed that the store was closed this afternoon when I was in the city centre. I had a look in and while the lights were on the only activity I could see was staff boxing stock up, there was a hand written sign saying "This Store is now Closed" Again this is a very sad situation for not only the staff of the stores but for our High Street as well.
I often see these signs in the window's of retail stores in Oxford advertising vacancy's within. I had an idea that I could post a current list on a separate website, but then I would just end up becoming an employment agency, might look in to it. Anyway, if you are looking for work and would like to work in a funky card store, this could be the position for you.
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation. I have started to see a lot of these little stickers popping up all over the place, any idea what's it all about? Quite like the little monster, don't you.
The main Post Office in St Aldate's has a very unique looking post box, which has the sign above, "Posting Box" It had fallen in to a bit of disrepair and was recently removed and taken away to be refurbished. I noticed it was back in place this afternoon looking very good indeed. I have never seen a post box like this anywhere before in my travels, can anyone else remember seeing a box like this?
Advance warning for those who will be using Magdalen Street in the early hours, tomorrow night there is going to be a crane operating in the area, now I am not sure if the street will closed, but there is going to be access restrictions in the early hours of the morning. I think it is part of the Sainsbury's redevelopment that is happening at the moment. Sainsbury's is making it's store in Magdalen Street smaller, so it can open longer hours on Sunday and compete with TESCO next door.
Photo from the 2C bus on the Banbury Road this afternoon, just as the sun come out on the Engineering Department. Weather has been nice in Oxford the last few days, lets hope it stays that way.
One of Oxfords very popular lunch spots, the Alpha Bar in the covered market is having a little face lift over this new year period, and when I walked past this afternoon noticed a sign saying they intend to reopen on Wednesday the 11th of January. This place is always very busy over the lunch period, so if you want some good food for lunch you may have to wait.
Another restaurant on Banbury Road in Summertown closes, last month I posted a photo of the closed La Dolce Vita restaurant and today on the other side of the road I noticed the Greek Taverna had closed. It was only a couple of weeks ago that I had a good friend visiting from Canada and we had a nice meal in this restaurant, it was only our party and another couple in the restaurant the whole evening. Where are all our independent businesses going? It is the cost of the business rates that are pushing businesses to the wall?
The Mediterranean Fish Bar or is it a Cafe? I am not sure, I am thinking that before the Fish Bar, this corner shop on the Abingdon Road and Lincoln Road used to be a cafe? Anyone have any history of the businesses in this area? The Cafe sign just looks a little out of place.
About half way down this alley way, which is called Wheatsheaf Yard, is a nice little boozer strangely enough called The Wheatsheaf. Was in there this afternoon for a nice pint of ale, called Oxford's Best Bitter which is brewed just for this Public House, which was a nice drop. Would be interested to find out more about this alley leading from High Street to Blue Boar Street, not a lot on the internet at present. Anyway, if you are in Oxford and needing an out of the way type of place, try The Wheatsheaf, off the High close to Carfax.
Nice to see these two girls getting off the bus this afternoon in central Oxford excited to be going out with there Dad. Just was bank holidays should be all about, spending quality time with the ones you love. Hope you all had an enjoyable New Years Bank Holiday today. Back to work tomorrow...
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