Covered Market in Oxford welcomes four new traders

Il Corno, a family-run bar and shop from Naples, opened its doors at the weekend and local bakery, Hamblin Bread, is scheduled to open the first of two market businesses in December.

They join Crystal Spirit Emporium and OxUnBoxed which both arrived in the market last month. 

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And two existing shops, A Woollen Cosy Life and The Woolhound, have moved to larger units within the market.  

With the four new traders and internal moves, the market’s overall mix of uses offers what has been described as "the widest-ever selection of specialist artisan produce, cafés, bars, gifts, fashion, and lifestyle products". 

Hamblin Bread is already an established bakery on Iffley Road.

This specialises in baked goods made with stone ground flour from organic wheat and rye, all grown within 50 miles of the bakery.   

Hamblin Bread will open its second shop in the market, taking on three units that were recently restored by Oxford City Council in partnership with Oxford Preservation Trust. The units will house Hamblin Kiosk and Snack Bar.  

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The kiosk will offer a range of bread, buns, and pastries, and is expected to open in December.  

The snack bar, which is scheduled for January, will offer a selection of sandwiches using a mixture of bread from the Iffley Road bakery and the newly developed artisan sandwich bread, which will be made on site.

Susan Brown, leader of the council and cabinet member for inclusive economy, said: "The Covered Market has been at the heart of the city for almost 250 years and I’m so pleased that it continues to inspire and attract new businesses. 

“Bringing a bakery back to the market is something both locals and the council have wanted to do for a while now, so I am incredibly pleased that Hamblin Bread will join the market’s wonderful array of businesses.  

“We work hard to protect the market's unique charm and history while ensuring it stays relevant and inviting for new generations and I’m excited to see the next chapter in its story.”  

Il Corno opened on Sunday and is now serving traditional Neapolitan food and drinks.

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OxUnBoxed is a vegan refill store with a focus on reducing single plastic waste.

Founded by students over a decade ago, they started with pop-up stores before deciding to put down more permanent roots. 

Crystal Spirit Emporium is an independent family-run, small business.

It offers a range of crystals and fossils as well as other household items such as incense, sage, candles, and dream catchers.  

Earlier this year, the city council approved almost £7m of investment to revitalise the historic market and launched a trial of later opening hours.  

A trial of changes to Market Street is expected next year.

This will help the council understand how any regeneration may encourage more people to visit the market and the city centre. 

Next year will also mark the 250th anniversary of The Covered Market opening in the way we know it today.

The city council, which owns and operates the market, has plans throughout the year to mark the milestone.