LOVE it or loathe it, Burger King had been a fixture on Cornmarket for decades. No longer, however, will it feed city centre shoppers its trademark flame-grilled Whoppers. We learn this week that its branch on the once-thriving thoroughfare will not reopen from its lockdown closure.

As one of the world's biggest fast food companies with a globally recognised brand, one might have thought it would be bullet proof, or at least fare better than the smaller businesses and independents. Alas no

Read full story: Burger King can't afford to stay in Oxford

What did for Burger King is a double whammy of high rents and lack of security over a short term lease on the building it occupies – owned by Oxford University's Jesus College.

The first question that springs to mind is: if a company like Burger King can't afford the rents in Oxford city centre, who can?

What is certain is that if a business with the bargaining power and high-powered representation of Burger King is quitting the centre, others will be sure to follow – along with the jobs. Let us not forget that behind many multinational brands are small local franchise holders desperately trying to balance the books.

We may not all have eaten at Burger King on a regular basis, but it's good that it was there, and it certainly served a purpose. It was also useful competition for its big rival McDonalds, just down the road –where managers will no doubt be licking their salty lips with glee.

Sadly, no one at Jesus College was available to answer our queries yesterday, but what is beyond question, is that the college, as a charitable institution, is duty bound to maximise its revenues. That however, can not come at the cost of the city's vitality.

Music-lovers may recall a similar situation just up the road last year, when the city centre's last independent gig venue The Cellar was forced to close by another uncharitable 'charitable' landlord – St Michael’s and All Saints’ Charities – which had hiked its rent.

With colleges and churches owning so much commercial property, it's a peculiarly Oxford problem, and one that needs addressing. These organisations may appear quaint and old fashioned, but beyond their ivy-clad quads and calm cloisters, they are hugely wealthy landowners and, in some cases, ruthless landlords.

Perhaps its time to forge a new relationship with the real holders of power in this increasingly dysfunctional city.