Oxford’s much-loved sandwich and deli company, Taylors, has opened the doors to its new flagship café at Oxford North, the city’s recently launched global innovation district.
The new venue, Taylors Oxford North, welcomed its first customers this morning and is marking the occasion with a special opening offer. Throughout March and April, visitors can enjoy all hot drinks for just £1 at the café.
Located on the ground floor of The Red Hall – Oxford North’s landmark hub for science and innovation start-ups and SMEs – the 80-seater café features both indoor and outdoor seating. Customers can enjoy views across Fallaize Park, the two-acre landscaped public park, as well as the illuminated ‘Your planetary assembly’ sculptures by artist Olafur Eliasson.
Taylors Oxford North forms part of the first phase of the wider Oxford North development, which brings together state-of-the-art offices and laboratories, new homes, public parks and community amenities. The aim is to create a vibrant destination for workers, residents, visitors and the wider local community.
The café serves Taylors’ popular range of gourmet sandwiches, salads, freshly made pasta, delicacies and speciality coffees. It will also offer catering services for meetings and events held within the district.
This latest opening marks Taylors’ ninth location across Oxford and takes its locally employed team to more than 100 people. The café is currently open from 7.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, with plans to extend hours as the district continues to grow.
Juri Vahala, chief executive officer of Taylors, said: “We’re thrilled to have opened our latest café to the public, in what is our fourth decade of operating.
“This is our ninth café and a flagship venue for our brand, with stunning interiors and welcoming views. The response we’ve received from customers already has been fantastic. To celebrate the opening we’re offering people who visit us at Oxford North all hot drinks for £1 for the first two months.
“Oxford North is an exciting new place that aligns perfectly with our commitment to community, sustainability, and great coffee and food and we’re looking forward to welcoming new customers in the coming weeks and months.”
Simon Ruck, managing director at Oxford North, added: “Welcoming Taylors to Oxford North is an exciting milestone in shaping a district built on connection, innovation and community. With shared values around quality, sustainability and exceptional service, Taylors is a natural fit.
“Taylors’ focus on locally sourced ingredients and welcoming spaces will help create a vibrant destination — a place to meet, recharge and exchange ideas, setting the tone for the future of Oxford North.”
Oxford North is being delivered by Oxford North Ventures, a joint venture between Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope.
Within The Red Hall, around 2,500 sq ft of flexible retail space remains available for one, two or three units to suit a range of occupiers. Across the wider Oxford North site, plans are also being explored for additional recreational and leisure uses, including within a proposed hotel. Future development phases will introduce further ground-floor retail, contributing to a dynamic and evolving mix of amenities across the district.
