Big Society set to come to East Oxford (From The Oxford Times)
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Big Society set to come to East Oxford
10:30am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News
By Amanda Williams
THE NAME has already got people talking.
But contrary to rumour, ‘the Big Society’ – soon to be launched on the site of a former pub and Chinese restaurant – is not the new Cowley Road headquarters of the Conservative Party.
It is in fact set to be both a pub and restaurant, but with a social club twist.
Work has already started to refurbish the former Lan Kwai Fong restaurant on the corner of Cowley Road and Jeune Street.
Lan Kwai Fong became a hit with students and parties because it was one of the few places in the city to offer karaoke.
It closed at the beginning of the month, but there was no indication of what would replace it until signs went up encouraging people to follow the new owners on Twitter.
The historic building was formerly home to the Elm Tree pub, which closed in 2008, for around 100 years.
The new owners, Matthew Davies and Tim Fitz-Gibbon ,already run two successfully venues in Jericho, Raoul’s Cocktail Bar, and the Victoria, in Walton Street.
Now they want to restore the original glory of the Grade II listed building.
Mr Fitz-Gibbon, who is also a director, admitted their work is definitely cut out for them.
He said: “We think there is a little bit of wood panelling left that we can salvage.
“There is a lot of work to be done.”
Mr Fitz-Gibbon said he did not want to reveal too much about the new venue, but that it would still serve food and drink.
But it is also hoped the venue will offer a range of community activities. A whole section of the Big Society will be offered out to “pop-up” businesses, for people struggling to afford rents or find a platform to launch their idea.
Mr Fitz-Gibbon said: “It can be for pop-up shops, people selling vintage clothes, handmade jewellery, anything.
“As long as they are not selling food or drink, we would like as many people as possible to get involved.
“If someone has got any craft home grown.”
So called pop-up and community ventures are already blossoming in East Oxford.
The Oxfork cafe, which started life as a pop-up restaurant and popped up everywhere from a basement to a boot factory, now resides permanently in Magdalen Road.
And the People’s Supermarket, which is run by local volunteers who work shifts in return for a 20 per cent discount on purchases, and is just yards away from the Big Society, is flourishing.
Mr Fitz-Gibbon said the name had caused some amusement locally.
He said: “In East Oxford, a predominantly left-wing area, I think the name has caused a lot of interest.
“Some people seem to think we are the new Tory HQ.
“We’re definitely not. I don’t want to say too much, but it is going to be very exciting.”
Comments(6)
Darkforbid
says...
5:21pm Sat 22 Sep 12
See above
Tim Hyphon Gibbon
says...
2:15am Sun 23 Sep 12
ger elttil OX2 0EJ wrote:Dear ger elttil
Ah well. Another pub gone forever, at least LKF still kept the pub feel for drinkers. If their (Matt and Hyphon) destruction of The Victoria (my local for 30 years) is any indication of what they will do to the ELM then it is a very sad day, but on the bright side, us Cowleyites have more nous and less money to throw away than their current clientele so it may soon go bust, and go back to a Pub with any luck.
Firstly, I am really sorry that the hyphon (sic) in my name offends you. Tradition dictates that you generally take the surname of your parents so I had no choice in the matter. It is also very much a shame that you think we have destroyed your local, The Victoria. I would like to point out that when we took the decision to take on the Victoria, it had been closed for a year and was in danger of being closed forever. However, we invested a lot of money, hard work and time in what we thought was a great pub and in an era where pubs are constantly closing and where as a business, pubs are high risk. I know we aren't everyone's cup of tea but I think to say that we have "destroyed" it, is extremely unfair. We have worked really hard to create a place in Jericho which is frequented by many locals and people who work in the area. Luckily for us, there are many who do appreciated what we do, otherwise we wouldn't remain a viable business. I would be really interested to hear exactly what we have done with the Victoria that particularly repulses you.
With regards to our new Cowley road site. I do find it very interesting that you believe the previous owners preserved the pub feel. Orange and purple walls in a building that has lost many of it's original features over the past decades complete with karaoke machines certainly doesn't scream of historic pub atmosphere. I think it is also really very, very sad that anyone would wish someone or a business to go bust. The pub has existed as various identities over the years but has obviously not been a feasible operation which is why these operations have shut down or moved on. We want to do our best, to again create a place for the local population to enjoy. Again we know we won't be everyone's cup of tea but hope that we can give Cowley Road a venue it deserves. It must also be pointed out that our business does provide employment for many people who enjoy working for us and wishing away their jobs with bitter sentiment is quite a peculiar thing indeed. I hope that when we open you will at least give us a chance before you make an opinion. If you ever come back to The Victoria, I also hope that maybe you will introduce yourself so we can discuss any future destruction of your local that you fear may happen. I also wish you the best for your career and hope you do not have to suffer the extreme stress and financial risk that we have, in investing everything we have in the City we both love.
Kind regards
Tim Fitz-Gibbon
Myron Blatz
says...
4:18pm Sun 23 Sep 12
Darkforbid
says...
7:38pm Sun 23 Sep 12
sparky123456
says...
4:15pm Wed 3 Oct 12
Cowley Road is buzzing lately most of the time you can't move in the Rusty or Magdalen. Tables are hard to get in Oxfork. I'm sure this will be a success and it's about time there were more venues with a touch of class to them.
Ger whatever your name. You're a biut thick really aren't you. It hasn't been a pub for 4 years. And calling the Elm Tree a pub was a stretch. Hell hole would've been more apt. The LKF was just an excuse to sell cheap booze to drunk students. Not sure how it wasn't a success though, the owner seemed to have a £90,000 car which he had no problem parking on the pavement.
ger elttil OX2 0EJ says...
1:27pm Sat 22 Sep 12