Oxford business news
Oxford business news, newest first: openings, closures, awards and jobs across the area.
Top story
Oxford Living Wage rises to £14.68 an hour from April 2027
The Oxford Living Wage goes up 62p to £14.68 an hour, due by 6 April 2027. Today's £14.06 is now below the new UK real Living Wage. What changes for workers.
More stories
Food hygiene
Oxford Food Hygiene: Track & Tonic Rated 0 in August
Track & Tonic on Park End Street was rated 0, urgent improvement necessary, after an August inspection. What inspectors found, and Oxford's other low scores.
Planning
Oxford Castle Quarter VR Venues Approved for Empty Units
All six Castle Quarter consents approved: the old Pizza Express and La Tasca units can become a racing-simulator cafe and a VR venue. Work must start by 2029.
Business
Oxford Biomedica staff reach 1,017 as sales hit £79.8m
OXB employed 1,017 at the end of June, its highest in five years, and credits UK hiring. Half-year sales hit £79.8m, but just 1.5% came from UK clients.
Business
Oxford Stadium operator wound up after racing stopped
Oxford Stadium's operating company went into creditors' voluntary liquidation on 26 August. Its last accounts show net liabilities of £1.03m and 55 staff.
Jobs
Oxford claimant count: 3,095, but under-25 claims fell
Oxford's claimant count rose to 3,095 in July, yet under-25 claims fell 4.1% against a 9.7% rise UK-wide. Only five of 64 South East areas saw a fall.
Planning
Oxford Castle Quarter: empty units back on the register
Six applications would turn two long-empty Castle Quarter units into a cafe with racing simulators and a visitor attraction. Comments close on 14 September.