In the year to date, over 15 businesses have completed lettings across the city centre, including in the Covered Market and shopping centre.
In the year to date, over 15 businesses have completed lettings across the city centre, including in the Covered Market and shopping centre.
These include established local favourites, such as Lula’s Ethiopian Café & Deli, a move for national specialist, Loake Shoemakers, and the launch of Oxford’s newest interactive experience, Oxford Illusion Museum.
Not all the new businesses are trading yet, with some completing extensive renovations, however, the variety and number of new businesses highlight the appeal of Oxford city centre as a destination.
Oxford Covered Market
The Covered Market’s offering has continued to grow and evolve since the launch of its new Leasing Strategy in 2021.
It focuses on ensuring the right mix of businesses and spaces, and emphasises attracting high-quality, specialist, locally owned or independent retailers.
The market currently offers the widest-ever selection of specialist artisan produce, cafés, bars, gifts, experiences, fashion, and lifestyle products.
So far in 2025, Oxford City Council has completed lettings with five new market businesses: Lula’s Ethiopian Cafe & Deli, Oxford Dogs, Ginger & Spice, Potato Hut and Arbequina.
Lula’s Ethiopian Café & Deli, which opened earlier in the summer, is already a local favourite. Lula’s first restaurant opened with support from the Meanwhile in Oxfordshire... programme, set up by Makespace Oxford and Oxford City Council, to give start-ups and small businesses flexible and affordable space. Lula’s has flourished and has now expanded into a second site in the Covered Market. This is an example illustrates how flexible leasing models and dedicated incubator space can support local businesses in their growth.
City Centre
A diverse range of new businesses have also opened across the city centre streets this year, contributing to the continued evolution of the area.
These include Loake Shoemakers, KNEAD Bakery, Oxford Illusion Museum, and Amathus Drinks on High Street; Greens Cafe on New Inn Hall Street; Mr Wang Hot Pot in Gloucester Green; Italiamo Trattoria on Broad Street; Aromi Caffe Limited on St Michael Street; and the relocation of Waterstones to Queen Street from Cornmarket Street, amongst many others.
This varied mix of retailers, food and drink venues, and cultural attractions reflects the ambitions set out in the Council’s City Centre Action Plan, which aims to support a resilient, vibrant, and sustainable city centre in response to changing consumer behaviours.
Westgate Oxford also continues to evolve with several new businesses joining in 2025, adding to the city’s options.
Comment
“Oxford’s city centre continues to be a strong and adaptable destination, with a wide range of new businesses choosing to set up here. This reflects our commitment to supporting a healthy and fair local economy, and to creating opportunities for independent and specialist retailers to thrive."
Councillor Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for a Healthy, Fairer Oxford and Small Business Champion
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