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City & Kidlington Thursday, April 26 - Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Fitness fanatics head over heels at festival
By George Welch SIX months on from the grand opening of the Westgate Centre and Oxford ‘has its buzz back’. The ambitious £440million redevelopment opened its doors to an expectant public with a show of acrobatics and ribbon-cutting ceremonies on October 24 last year. Nearly six months to the day and Oxford has been hailed as a ‘rejuvenated’ city by a business expert after encouraging new data showed businesses popping up across the county. The number of companies in Oxfordshire passed the 40,000 milestone for the fi rst time last month as the county enjoys a surge in new business. A total of 8,092 of those are based in the city, the third highest amount in the county. Businesswoman Anneli Thomson,
who sits on the Oxford Chamber Council, said she is not surprised companies are flocking to a city that has regained its purpose. She said: “Westgate has rejuvenated Oxford as a city. People beforehand had little reason to go into the city centre but now it’s got a real centre again. “Its getting people to go out and explore Oxford again – it’s got its buzz back.” Miss Thomson, managing director of west Oxfordshire-based Sandler Training, a management consulting company in the service sector, has sat on the city’s chamber council for nearly two years. The group helps Oxford businesses on a daily basis to grow. Describing Oxford as ‘vibrant’, she said: “It’s the jewel in the crown of England because we have all sorts of
Out& About around Oxfordsh
ire
Dara’s back doing what he does best
A thoroughly great show Meet modern Millie at The New Theatre
oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
Free
Runners elated, but many vow ‘never again’
Professor completes six marathons
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Real mix of businesses help unique city to grow
Weekly leisure guide for in and around Oxford
leisure time in &
Pages 12&13
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Queen of Comic Con COMIC book superheroes, Disney princesses and Star Wars icons made a flying visit to Oxford on Saturday for an extravaganza of galactic proportions. Visitors to the returning Oxford Comic Con donned all kinds of costumes from Batman to Bowie and everything in between including Queen Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. For more pictures from the spectacular event, see page 6 Picture: Lawrie Photography
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More printed copies than any other weekly newspaper in Oxfordshire (16,103 audited JICREG pending)
ASHFOLD SCHOOL A leading independent prep school for boys and girls aged 3 – 13 years set in 30 acres of beautiful grounds on the Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire borders For more information and to book a place, please contact our Registrar, Fiona Grainge T: 01844 238237 E: registrar@ashfoldschool.co.uk www.ashfoldschool.co.uk
@AshfoldSchool
Come & Play For parents and pre-school children Wednesday 9 May 2018, 10 – 11.30am
Open Morning Saturday 12 May 2018, 10am – 12 noon
Scholars hips available for children jo ining in Year 7
‘The quality of pupils’ achievements and learning is excellent’ ISI