The two churchwardens of Oxford’s university church are the leaders of the campaign to evict the cafe from the Old Congregation House, according to the church’s public relations advisors.
In a statement to the Oxford Mail, Paternoster Communications said that the churchwardens and the church council were “disappointed” that they did not gain possession at the latest court hearing but “remain confident that our ultimate goal of obtaining vacant possession will be successful.”
At the hearing in Oxford county court, the case was transferred to the High Court in London and the judge said that the cafe was “much frequented and much loved” and that many livelihoods depended on it.
Paternoster said they would be releasing details shortly of the church’s plan “to launch a refurbished cafe and social enterprise” to benefit the church and the community.” They added: “The longer this situation is drawn out, the more expensive it will be for all parties,” commenting that "the church is a charitable institution.” Previously, the church has said it wanted to spend £750,000 on developing the cafe.
Paternoster did not comment on the fact that the church was returning more than £10,000 rent a month to the cafe and incurring huge legal fees, nor of the financial risks for the church council members as trustees of investing in and running a restaurant business themselves. Nor did they comment on the strength of public support against the action being taken by the church evidenced by the 14,500 supporters of our petition. The cafe is holding on deposit now more than £150,000 of rent returned by the church over the last 11 months. Acceptance would undermine the church’s claim that the cafe is a trespasser.
The Oxford Mail said that legal costs for the case now transferred to the High Court could reach £200,000. It said that the cafe had celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and had pioneered sourcing local organic produce and supporting local producers.
Paternoster’s statement did not refer to the vicar, the Revd Will Lamb, who initiated the eviction proceedings following a long-running dispute with cafe founder, Will Pouget. A representative of Paternoster was in court with the churchwardens when it was pointed out to the judge by the cafe’s barrister. James Fryer-Spedding, that the legal proceedings were issued after Will Pouget had made a complaint against the vicar under the church’s Clergy Discipline Measure.
In his complaint, Will Pouget accused the Revd Lamb of “conduct unbecoming or inappropriate to the office of a clerk in holy orders” and alleged bullying of himself and senior staff during the pandemic. He also accused the vicar of “being inefficient in the duties of office.”
The complaint was rejected by the Bishop of Dorchester in Oxfordshire, the Rt Revd Gavin Collins, who said that the complaint concerned a business relationship which had broken down and was not itself a matter for the church’s disciplinary proceedings. He suggested that the parties explore the possibility of a new agreement with independent advice.
Will Pouget said in a statement: “I am very concerned that all parties meet urgently to avoid a protracted legal fight with ruinous costs and that the vicar and churchwardens will share my wish to explore a mutually acceptable out-of-court agreement.
“ I also wish for personal reconciliation between the affected individuals in this injurious dispute that has now run for over four years and to reach a mutually acceptable agreement that so far has not been possible.”
Neither of the churchwardens, Karen Melham, an Oxford academic, and Nicholas Hardyman, a local businessman, have made any comment about the dispute, following the example of the Revd Lamb who has remained silent to date and was not in court for the hearing.
We thank you all for your continued support and especially to the many of you who have made a financial contribution to our campaign. Please share this update with your colleagues and friends by email and on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Twitter(X).
team@savethevaults.com