Statement on Vaults & Gardens Cafe

Today the University Church of St Mary the Virgin and Fresh Connection Ltd, a company owned by Mr Will Pouget, are releasing a press statement, agreed between the parties, following a dispute over the continuing occupation of the church and churchyard by the Vaults and Garden Café.

We are pleased at last to have reached a settlement in this case.  Although the terms of the agreement are confidential, all parties are happy that their interests have been fairly reflected in the outcome. Now is the time for us all to put this situation behind us, and to move on. The Parochial Church Council can now carry out urgent repairs to the building and will reopen the café as a social enterprise in the course of the next 18 months. Mr Pouget and Fresh Connection Ltd will continue to offer hospitality at their other catering venues in the city. Both parties wish each other well in the future.

Neither party will be commenting further on this dispute. The café will close at the end of November 2025. The Parochial Church Council will be publishing its plans for the future in coming months.

Media Contact:
Jane Appleton

Diocesan Director of Communications

Jane.Appleton@oxford.anglican.org

01865 208 227 | 07350 359318