A supplier to a cafe in Oxford threatened with closure has told how he fears for the future of his business.

Will Pouget, who runs the cafe in Radcliffe Square, and cafe operators Fresh Connection, are facing an eviction notice from the Parochial Church Council of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in High Street.

They are contesting the notice - an initial county court hearing took place last year and earlier this month a county court judge in Oxford referred the case to the High Court.

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Now David Blake, who runs an organic vegetable farm near Kidlington, has spoken out in support of Mr Pouget and the cafe, and pointed out that 14,500 people have now signed an online petition calling for it to be allowed to stay.

(Image: Oxford Mail) He said: "All of those who visit or have visited the Vaults will be horrified to learn of its imminent closure. This could never happen on the continent where culture and cuisine are inextricably interwoven."

Mr Blake added: "I am one of the many suppliers to the Vaults. For 19 years now I have grown organic vegetables; first at Worton, now at Hampton Gay near Kidlington. The Vaults consumes over 90% of my market garden.

"Closure would certainly signal my demise (as a business) as well as the viability of my landlord to rear his longhorn beef, which the Vaults serves on a daily basis.

(Image: Oxford Mail) "All of this makes you think why should the Vaults be closed down? Certainly not for financial reasons."

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Following the court hearing this month, Mr Pouget said he was he relieved by the decision of district judge Peter Devlin to refer the matter to the High Court and wanted to "engage with the church constructively to find a solution acceptable to both parties".

The cafe’s barrister, James Fryer-Spedding, argued at the county court that the eviction would mean that 60 employees of the cafe would lose their jobs, two other group companies dependent on the cafe would collapse, and other local suppliers could face failure on account of the scale of their business with the cafe.

The Vaults & Garden celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.

It is understood that the total legal costs for the case could reach £200,000 before the eviction issue is decided.

The University Church of St Mary the Virgin said following the county court hearing: "The Wardens and PCC of the University Church note the decision at Oxford County Court to proceed with directions to trial at the High Court. 

"While we are obviously disappointed that we were not granted an order at this point in the process, we remain confident that our ultimate goal of gaining vacant possession of the vaults will be successful."

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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. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.