Pleas to make George Street car-free again to help out new brunch cafe

He said that the pedestrianisation of George Street last summer helped boost struggling hospitality businesses when the first lockdown lifted.

But now restrictions have eased again, the new Oxford Brunch Bar is not getting as many customers and the footfall on George Street has seemingly dropped significantly.

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Enrique Guillea, who is heading the new eatery where the George Street café used to be next to TSB bank, said: “It was really busy when we had the street closed outside and there were so many customers but then lockdown came and now the street is quiet again.

“There aren’t many customers walking down here.

Oxford Brunch Bar on George Street 05/05/2021 Picture by Ed Nix

“When Debenhams closed, we noticed the difference.”

Part of George Street between its junctions with New Inn Hall Street and Magdalen Street was closed for half of August – during the Government’s Eat out To Help Out scheme, which saw diners get discounts off their meals to eat out – and the first week of September.

The closure, instigated by Oxford City Council and highways authority Oxfordshire County Council, allowed restaurants on that stretch of the road to have dining tables outside.

Oxford Brunch Bar on George Street 05/05/2021 Picture by Ed Nix

Since the road closure ended, the council carried out two surveys – one for residents and one for businesses on the street – to find out their opinions.

Of the 1,052 people who took part – 883 (84.1per cent) said it was a good thing and should be reinstated in the summer months.

Of the 12 businesses on the street, eight got involved in the trial and all of them supported the part-closure happening again.

Mr Guillea, who lives in the city centre after moving from Spain 20 years ago, said the idea was fully backed by Oxford Brunch Bar – which had to close again in October for the second lockdown before it reopened on April 17 for takeaway and deliveries.

Oxford Brunch Bar on George Street 05/05/2021 Picture by Ed Nix

He said the café was first opened on the foodie street in the city centre as a place to serve healthy food with locally produced products.

He explained: “The Arlington Eggs are from the Cotswolds, the cakes are from the Burford Company, the apple juice is pressed locally, the meat is from a small butcher, the bread is made at an artisan local bakery.”

The old café was owned by somebody different and when the new business took over the unit in July last year the building was stripped back to basics and then redesigned.

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The army green exterior was repainted in a fresh duck egg blue, the beams were adorned with old sacks of coffee beans and the floors were re-laid with light wood.

The bar, kitchen, toilets, floors and walls were all replaced too.

Oxford Brunch Bar is open every day from 8am until 5pm. On Saturday and Sunday the cafe closes at 7pm.

The council has not yet published any plans to pedestrianise George Street again in the future.

Oxford Brunch Bar on George Street. Picture by Ed Nix