Covered Market Later Opening Public Consultation

Closed 23 Aug 2022

Opened 26 Jul 2022

Contact

Verity Hoper

01865 252358

coveredmarket@oxford.gov.uk

Feedback updated 27 Feb 2023

We asked

In July and August 2022, the Council held a consultation on a trial of extended opening hours at Oxford’s Covered Market.

You said

The majority of respondents favour later opening hours.

  • 70% of members of the public who took part in this consultation said they would visit more often if later opening hours also involved more events and opportunities to eat and drink as well as shop
  • Eating in (86%) and having a drink (73%) were cited as the most popular reason to visit
  • Most popular activities suggested by the public were Trader-led events (e.g., tastings, ‘meet the trader’ talks) and music, both at 74% of those surveyed, followed by comedy (52%) and film screenings (47%)

We did

Responses to the extended opening hours’ consultation and the learnings from the implementation of longer opening hours will feed into the implementation of the Masterplan proposals. 

Overview

The retail environment is changing at a rapid pace.  Oxford City Council is working to ensure our historic Covered Market keeps apace with these changes in order for the market to thrive well into the future.  

Plans are being discussed to extend the markets' opening hours into the evening. This will open the opportunity for the market to contribute to Oxford city centre’s night time economy, as well as provide an opportunity for those keen to shop after work. 

We’d like to hear if this would be something our local community and visitors would like to happen.

Why your views matter

The aim of this questionnaire will be to assess how popular later opening would be. 

Your individual participation in this survey will also give Oxford City Council and its current traders, a valuable indication of how many people and who exactly would be most likely to engage with the market after 5.30pm, and for what kind of use.

The information provided by the survey will directly influence how best to move forward with this potential plan.

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Regeneration & Economy Services