Vaults & Garden cafe owner hopes to avoid eviction hearing

Will Pouget, who runs the Vaults & Garden cafe in Radcliffe Square, and cafe operators Fresh Connection, are facing a three-month eviction notice from the Parochial Church Council of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin.

They are contesting the notice issued in May and a county court hearing is due to take place in Oxford on Tuesday, November 14.

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Almost 10,000 customers have now signed a petition to 'Save the Vaults & Garden', which has been celebrating its 20th anniversary.

But their signatures are unlikely to prevent the eviction hearing and unless an agreement can be reached it will go ahead.

The PCC has said it wants to create a new social enterprise at the Old Congregation House, where the cafe is based, and complete repairs to stonework, replant the garden and work on a major redevelopment of the cafe facilities. It has committed £750,000 to the building works.

Mr Pouget has stated that he and Fresh Connection will suffer severe financial losses if he is forced to stop operating immediately.

He added: "I am not looking forward to attending court nor a protracted legal battle but we will be defending our legal rights to remain in occupation.

"We have endured years of uncertainly due to lockdown social distancing.

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"We have met with the church's representatives and still remain in hope for an amicable solution."

A spokesman for the PCC said: "“In seeking possession of the Old Congregation House and its ancillary buildings, the PCC will pay careful attention to the judgement and advice of the court following the hearing on November 14.”

More than 500 customers who have signed the petition have left comments explaining why they think the cafe is so special.

Nicola Aksars said "I have been coming to Vaults for years. It is my go to cafe in Oxford because I am vegetarian and the food here is the best, and affordable too. I can’t bear the idea of its closure.

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"This cafe is an Oxford icon, not some bland chain with no soul. I hope a solution is found, because this place is so special with a beating heart and soul. So much more than a cafe."

Rob Reed added: "I'm currently sat in the café as I write this, enjoying their fantastic food in this lovely space. Forcing out the café would be a real loss for Oxford, and for the church."

And Ilham Skinner said: "The Vaults is unique in that it produces excellent home cooked food at a reasonable price which is served efficiently and quickly. I have brought all my visiting guests as well as overseas ones and when they have returned to Oxford , they have chosen to return to the Vaults over other restaurants. Please do not threaten this special cafe/restaurant."

If Mr Pouget is forced to close the Vaults & Garden, the PCC plans to open the new enterprise in the spring of 2025.

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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.

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