The Gusto Italian chain, which has taken over historic pub The Mitre, has announced the opening of its new venue will create 85 jobs.

In a boost to Oxford city centre's economy, the chain is now seeking people to join its team at the 10,000sq ft restaurant. 

The new restaurant and bar will open before Christmas in the historic Mitre Hotel building on the High Street, its 14th UK site.

Read again: Mitre set to reopen as an Italian restaurant 

An estimated £1.4m transformation of the Grade II listed property which has been vacant since 2019 is now under way.

Oxford Mail:

Gusto Italian is using local contractors and historic building specialists to ensure the venue’s historic features and the integrity of the property are preserved.

Guests at the new restaurant will be able to enjoy an Italian dining experience by sitting under olive trees and sampling the venue’s open kitchen and chef’s table pizza experience.

Permanent job opportunities are available at the new restaurant including managers, sous chefs, chef de partie, bar manager, hosts, servers, kitchen porters and bar staff.

Matt Snell, Gusto Italian CEO said: “Regeneration work on our new Oxford site is now under way and it’s exciting to see the venue starting to take shape.

Oxford Mail:

"We can’t wait to open and welcome guests to enjoy the Gusto experience in our spectacular surroundings and celebrate life’s special moments together.

“We’re now actively recruiting for various fantastic roles and I’d encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch.

"The team at Gusto Italian are not a team, we’re more of a family and we’re looking for passionate, energetic individuals to join us to help make every guest experience a memorable one.”

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The Oxford restaurant will provide 170 covers in an expansive downstairs dining room, a 60-cover upstairs private dining room for bookings, and a cosy cocktail bar.

Oxford Mail:

“The restaurant will transport our guests to Southern Italy and provide an immersive dining experience for brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks,” added Mr Snell.

"Our chef’s table Pizza Experience is hugely popular and the open kitchen means guests can enjoy watching our talented chefs passionately and skilfully create our contemporary Italian dishes.”

Oxford Mail:

The Pizza Experience will be available for groups of six to 10 people and includes four Italian courses and fizz on arrival.

Guests will be treated to hands-on pizza making at the chef’s table for a fun-filled two-hour experience for the ultimate special occasion.

Mr Snell added: “Oxford is a beautiful city which has so much synergy with our brand and spirit and we are looking forward to becoming a big part of the community.

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"Integral to our plans has been preserving the original character and history of our new home while introducing our signature Gusto Italian flare to make the restaurant Oxford’s go-to-premium destination in the city.”

Oxford Mail:

The building is owned by Lincoln College. 

Before Gusto took over, the Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA expressed concern The Mitre building was looking shabby.

For further information on current vacancies and to register interest please visit: https://careers.gustorestaurants.uk.com/vacancies/1759/restaurant--kitchen--bar-staff.html

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF