Six new independent businesses have opened in Oxford's Covered Market in the past six months.

Fresh yoghurt drinks company Puggi Yoggi is the latest, following pizza company Sartorelli’s, which opened in March, offering fresh sourdough pizza made on-site in a wood-fired oven.

In February, Gulp Fiction, a unique space offering beer, coffee and the chance to buy and sell books, became the Covered Market’s first bookshop since the Little Bookshop closed in 2003.

In addition, three new shops joined the Covered Market just before Christmas as part of Meanwhile in Oxfordshire, a scheme from Oxford City Council and Makespace Oxford to transform the use of vacant shops across Oxfordshire.

These Meanwhile in Oxfordshire participants include children’s clothing brand Ducky Zebra, ethical underwear Y.O.U. Underwear and knitting shop The Woolhound.

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Meanwhile in Oxfordshire is a cpartnership between Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the City and District Councils, with funding from the government’s Getting Building Fund.

Council leader Susan Brown said: “These new businesses really demonstrate the appeal small, independent and unique businesses have for shoppers. Visitors to the Covered Market will find unique businesses which can be enjoyed in the lovely setting of our historic market.

"The work that we are doing here is part of our City Centre Action Plan to help our city’s economy recover.”