Save Our SpacesUnited Kingdom
16 Sept 2026
Oxford City Council owns the freehold of 11 New Road, which forms part of the Council's commercial investment portfolio.
The property is currently occupied by three tenants across the basement, ground, first and second floors under commercial lease arrangements. These leases generate an annual income for the Council.
Two of the leases have some time to run (August 2029 and March 2032), while one expired in July 2026, but the intention is to renew this prior to any change of ownership.
St Peter’s College, one of the existing occupational tenants, approached the Council with a proposal to acquire the property, and terms have subsequently been negotiated. The decision to dispose of the freehold title will generate a capital receipt that can be used to support the provision of investment in and services for communities in Oxford which otherwise would not be affordable. Oxford City Council relies on such funds – whether rental income or capital receipts – to fund a wide range of services, such as its network of community centres.
The sale will also remove future liabilities associated with the property. Were the Council to retain ownership, significant future expenditure would be required.
Importantly, the proposal would see two of the existing businesses retained and continuing to operate from the property. This has been confirmed through both the planning application and public statement issued. The purchaser is proposing modifications to the upper floors and basement, not the retail on the ground floor.
There has been misinformation circulated online about the loss of community space as a result of the sale. This is incorrect. The property sits within the Council's investment portfolio and has commercial tenants only.
The St Peter’s College statement on 11 New Road is available on their website: https://www.spc.ox.ac.uk/statements/st-peters-colleges-plans-for-11-new-road
The property is currently occupied by three tenants across the basement, ground, first and second floors under commercial lease arrangements. These leases generate an annual income for the Council.
Two of the leases have some time to run (August 2029 and March 2032), while one expired in July 2026, but the intention is to renew this prior to any change of ownership.
St Peter’s College, one of the existing occupational tenants, approached the Council with a proposal to acquire the property, and terms have subsequently been negotiated. The decision to dispose of the freehold title will generate a capital receipt that can be used to support the provision of investment in and services for communities in Oxford which otherwise would not be affordable. Oxford City Council relies on such funds – whether rental income or capital receipts – to fund a wide range of services, such as its network of community centres.
The sale will also remove future liabilities associated with the property. Were the Council to retain ownership, significant future expenditure would be required.
Importantly, the proposal would see two of the existing businesses retained and continuing to operate from the property. This has been confirmed through both the planning application and public statement issued. The purchaser is proposing modifications to the upper floors and basement, not the retail on the ground floor.
There has been misinformation circulated online about the loss of community space as a result of the sale. This is incorrect. The property sits within the Council's investment portfolio and has commercial tenants only.
The St Peter’s College statement on 11 New Road is available on their website: https://www.spc.ox.ac.uk/statements/st-peters-colleges-plans-for-11-new-road
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