A NEW restaurant at Oxford Business Park is celebrating a top food hygiene rating and its owners are keen for residents and workers to enjoy what it has to offer.

Oxford Factory was inspected by Oxford City Council's health team in a surprise visit on January 10.

The canteen, which offers fresh, seasonal breakfast and lunch dishes, was awarded the full five stars, meaning standards were found to be 'very good'.

Running the restaurant is Andrew Norton, who also runs the Jam Factory in Frideswide Square, and his cousin Nick Hughes.

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Mr Norton said getting anything less than the highest rating was 'never an option' for the business.

He added: "We work incredibly hard at what we do and to get recognition from not only our customers but now the council's environment health team is great."

He did say, however, that people should not necessarily judge a business that doesn't get the full five as there could be factors like an old building impacting the score.

He said: "We've gone between four and five stars at the Jam Factory, though we are now at five.

Oxford Mail:

Andrew Norton at the Oxford Factory opening in November. Picture: Joel Knight

"It's important to go a bit deeper and look at why it got that score. Things like food hygiene, cleanliness and confidence in management though are things any business can do and there is no excuse."

The business's location has a special importance for the cousins, with Mr Norton explaining: “There is a special bond to this former car factory as our grandfather worked here."

Oxford Factory is based on the site of an old car factory. In 1912 when William Morris turned an old military college in to Morris Motors.

But though the canteen is located at the Cowley business park, it is open to all.

Mr Norton said: "We are an independent family business and Oxford Factory is for everybody, not just workers at the business park.

"We provide lunches from £5 and breakfast from £3 so it is an affordable option. I've knocked on doors nearby to let people know about us and word is spreading."

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He added: "We're not that far from the city centre, just down the end of Cowley Road and only 30 seconds off the ring road."

The business is currently open between 8am and 4pm Monday through Friday.

This month it has also introduced a Sunday roast, which is available between 12pm and 6pm.

Mr Norton said: "It's a classic carvery for £12. People really loved the first one last week and we actually sold out."

For the latest from Oxford Factory visit the restaurant's Facebook page.