CALLS for big firms to be banned from hiring Oxford’s Bonn Square have been made after a bid by Nestlé was rejected.

The firm has been blocked from using the square to publicise its Nescafé three-in-one product on November 13 after a neighbour objected.

It comes after Oxford City Council’s Sam Hollick led calls for bookings of the council-owned square to be restricted to cultural events.

Green city councillor Mr Hollick said: “Recently I’ve been noticing more and more applications for commercial events and I’m a bit concerned because it should be used for cultural and historic activities.’’ Nestlé spokesman Odette Forbes said: “We are disappointed to have been notified by the council that it would not grant us permission.We are now looking at the alternative venue suggested by the council to see if this will meet our objectives.

“Nestlé would welcome the opportunity to discuss Nestlé's ethics in the developing world, particularly with regard to baby milk marketing.”