Five new businesses have opened up as pop-up shops at Oxford’s historic Covered Market.
For a number of years the market’s landlords, the city council, has encouraged local businesses to try out running a unit in the hope that traders will decide to stay on permanently.
The new traders who opened in the run-up to Christmas are Rozana, A Woollen Cosy Life, All Scents Covered, Soctopus, and Tap Social’s Market Tap.
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Rozana is a Lebanese takeaway offering a wide selection of freshly made takeaway food, including great vegan options.
A Woollen Cosy Life is an elegant boutique, offering a wide variety of finished woollen products to suit both interiors and wardrobes, from unique brands all made with tradition at their heart.
Soctopus offers fun, personality-led socks with both a British and European design style, translating familiar cultural icons, sports and hobbies into ‘fun for your feet’.
All Scents Covered is an expansion of The Oxford Soap Company, already in the market, and has a wide selection of aromatic fragrance candles, diffusers, wax melts and more.
Tap Social Local craft brewery Tap Social have opened a pop-up shop offering their whole range of cans, baked goods from their other new venture Proof Social Bakehouse, their brand-new Christmas hampers, merchandise, plus a few fresh beers on draught and festive mulled wine.
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The Market Tap be operating from Wednesday to Sunday until at least the end of 2022.
Every day is a small business day at Oxford’s historic Covered Market, where history is made and the future is always in sight. With over 50 traders, small and ideally locally-owned, independent businesses are at its heart.
Many traders have operated in the market for well over 30 years.
Keeping on top of retail trends, the market also provides exciting opportunities for new traders to join and build up their dream businesses.
The Covered Market’s array of traders offer the widest-ever to date selection of specialist artisan produce, cafés, bars, gifts experiences, fashion and lifestyle products.
Leader of Oxford City Council Susan Brown said: “This is not an easy time for businesses or shoppers and we appreciate people are having to make tough decisions about how they spend their money. Shopping locally benefits the Oxford economy and provides vital support to businesses. We have a new Christmas campaign running to promote the Covered Market and encourage visitors to the city centre.
"The campaign will run across Oxford City Council and The Covered Market’s social media pages, local media and on poster sites across Oxford. Small businesses are the heart and soul of our city and district shopping centres. They help give the city of Oxford its unique character and employ thousands of local people.”
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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