A court hearing is expected to take place next month after the owners of an Oxford cafe were issued with an eviction notice.

Thousands of people have signed an online petition in a bid to save the Vaults & Garden cafe in Oxford from closure.

Will Pouget, director of the cafe in Radcliffe Square, told the Oxford Mail in August how he was planning a series of celebrations to mark two decades of serving thousands of customers from all over the world.

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But those celebrations were then overshadowed by a notice to quit from the Parochial Church Council of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

Since then a change.org petition has been set up in a bid to save the cafe from eviction and now more than 8,420 people have signed it.

Oxford Mail: Will PougetMr Pouget said he was grateful for the support of people who have signed the petition and he is still hopeful that the situation can be resolved without having to contest the eviction notice in court.

He and the cafe's operating company have written to the PCC's representatives requesting a meeting to explore solutions and avoid costly litigation.

Mr Pouget said in an update published on the petition: "Despite all that has happened, I am ready to forgive and reconcile as I am certain that a mutually beneficial solution and agreement can still be found without recourse to the courts.

"I sincerely wish that we might one day resume the happy and successful relationship that we once enjoyed."

Oxford Mail: The Vaults & GardenHowever, it appears the PCC is continuing with its plan to evict the Vaults & Garden and its operators as a court hearing has now been set for next month.

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A spokesman for the PCC said: "This matter is due to be properly heard by Oxford County Court in the coming weeks, so there is nothing we can add to the comments we have already made.

"We encourage people to read the information available on our website and look forward to sharing further news of the significant investment that we’re making in the café in due course."

Those who have signed the petition to Save The Vaults including acclaimed author Rebecca F Kuang, who wrote Babel.

She wrote: "The Vaults & Garden is near and dear to my heart and without doubt my favourite place in Oxford.

Oxford Mail: Will Pouget"Every time I return to Oxford I make plans to meet friends for a cream tea.

"I am devastated to imagine an Oxford without V&G and hope very much a compromise can be found."

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The PCC said earlier it has ambitious plans for the cafe.

It wants to create a new social enterprise at the Old Congregation House, where the cafe is based, and complete repairs to stonework, replanting of the gardens and a major redevelopment of the cafe facilities.

It has committed £750,000 to the building works, with a further significant sum for the landscaping and planting.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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