What’s happening at The Oxford Arms?
OAK Community Update - September 2025
We’re at the mid-stage of our National Lottery Heritage Fund Development Grant, and this summer has seen a host of surveys, inspections, and audits of The Oxford Arms as we work with our architects to finalise the renovation plans ready for submission to the Heritage Fund in early 2026.
In August, the following surveys took place:
Preliminary bat roost survey. We need to confirm whether bats are roosting or visiting The Oxford in order to obtain Listed Building Consent for the renovation works. This survey was inconclusive, unfortunately, which means that we’ll need to also do an observation survey next spring, when bats come out of hibernation.
Structural engineer inspection. Due to a retirement, OAK has appointed a new structural engineer who will oversee the renovation works and make sure that the building remains structurally sound throughout. Some work is required to make floors and ceilings safe again (including on the ground floor in the restaurant area, where a ceiling support is currently providing temporary reinforcement), but on the whole our new engineer found that the building is secure.
Access audit. As a venue that will be open to the public, it’s essential that we take steps to make the building accessible to all users. Our first access audit has just taken place, which demonstrates the work that needs to be done to improve accessibility, including the installation of a fully accessible entrance, a lift to allow wheelchair users to access the bar level and the first floor from the new accessible entrance, an accessible guest bedroom, accessible toilet, and ramps to permit access to the barn. We’ll need the auditors to also check our final architect plans in due course to ensure that our provisions are suitable.
The £92,000 Development Grant we received from the Heritage Fund back in January 2025 provides the funds for these audits, the work being done by our architects, and many more tasks and projects that we’ll describe in future Community Updates. At this stage, the Heritage Fund does not allow us to spend any money on capital works (i.e., repairs to the building, new boilers, etc.). All of this work will commence when we reach the Delivery Stage, which we hope will start in the second half of 2026.