IT WAS a case of going from throttle to bottle as the Oxford Wine Company toasted a move to new premises on Botley Road in the city.

The company, one of the largest independent wine retailers in the UK, is to open its new retail outlet in what had been one of the city’s best known motorcycle and scooter showrooms.

The original Oxford Wine Company was founded in 1840 and traded from 125 High Street until 1914.

The name was revived in the 1990s by Ted Sandbach, with its warehouse based at Standlake, near Witney.

The new premises, at the Botley Road-Lamarsh Road junction, are being refitted and are expected to open in about four weeks.

Mr Sandbach said: “Finding the right site in Oxford has taken a while.

“But being right in the middle of a large retail park, with ample parking of our own, feels like the perfect location.”

The shop, which will have a tasting bar, will be run by Sam Hellyer, the former manager of Oddbins in the High Street.

The shop will stock wine s costing from £3 to £500 a bottle.

Mr Sandbach said the new store would have a fine wine section, featuring classic wines from around the world.

The company is already hoping to open more shops in Oxfordshire as part of its expansion plans.

Scooter firm Faulkner and Son, an Oxford family firm founded in 1910, will now operate from premises just at the rear of its former showroom.

The company has been selling motorcycles and scooters in Botley Road since 1983.

When it comes to selling scooters, Faulkner and Son can claim to be in a vintage of its own, having been around almost as long as the motorcycle industry itself.

The company is jointly run by brothers Gordon and Robert Faulkner, the fourth generation of the family business.

It previously had premises in Cardigan Street and Walton Street before moving to Botley Road.