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The Oxford Castle Launch
09 December 2005
 The Oxford Castle is now officially open as Oxford's Oldest New Quarter. The celebrations tonight are the culmination of eight years' work since the County Council took ownership and possession of the five acre site. For Oxford, the site has a unique history and lays claim to being Oxford's Oldest New Quarter. Its origins are traced even before St. George's Tower, the Crypt and the Mound which were built in 1071 by Robert d'Oilly for William the Conqueror. For centuries, the site was sealed off from public gaze as Oxford's Gaol but in a reverse of fortunes, its character has changed to become Oxford's liveliest mixed use location. The forebodings of the past have all been swept away and the potential for the gateway to the West End of Oxford is now clearly evident.
The fabulous Malmaison hotel, a unique, exciting and memorable experience is at the centre of the transformation but is only a part of the story. Forty new apartments will be completed early in the New Year but this has not prevented the seven new restaurants opening with the last café to be opened by the Spring. The list of tenants drawn to this unrepeatable project is described in the attached brochure.
Not only will there be open spaces with live entertainment ranging from jazz to opera, there will also be further additions to Oxford's art scene with the opening of the 03 Gallery in the Spring of 2006 and in May 2006, the "Oxford Castle Unlocked" opens, Oxford's latest visitor attraction which will give a new perspective on the site and to the City with state of the art education facilities and its own café. The final ingredient to be added in the Spring of 2006 will be the twenty upmarket trading stalls which will operate for six days each week.
The launch tonight, 1 st December 2005, celebrates the achievement of Oxfordshire County Council, English Heritage, South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Oxford City Council and The Oxford Preservation Trust. Working together we have created this unique project.
The developer, Trevor Osborne, said:
"I feel privileged to have played a short role of seven years in the thousand years' history upon which we have built. I hope that Oxford's residents and visitors will like the result of our work and will regard Oxford Castle as an integral part of Oxford for the first time in many centuries."
Councillor Keith R. Mitchell, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said:
"The redevelopment of Oxford Castle has been brilliantly executed and gives Oxfordshire residents and visitors a wonderful blend of 1,000 years of past history with modern style and comfort. It demonstrates what can be achieved when the public, private and voluntary sectors work well together."
SEEDA's Development Projects Director, Peter Cusdin said: "The Oxford Castle Heritage Project is a great example of partnership working and SEEDA was delighted to support the vision for this site and help make it a reality. This sensitive development respects the heritage and history of the site and creates a vibrant future use for residents and visitors of Oxford to enjoy. The re-use of this redundant brownfield site supports the city's economy and acts as a catalyst for new business investment. It really is a fantastic achievement for all involved."
"The launch of the project also marks the first phase in the regeneration of the West End of Oxford and SEEDA is continuing to work with the Councils to bring further investment and opportunities to the area."
Debbie Dance, Director of The Oxford Preservation Trust, said:
"We are delighted the site is now open to the public. History, education and commercial success are a winning combination and we are pleased to have played our part."
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