New food and drink venue coming Banbury town centre runs successful recruitment drive

A new food and drink venue set to open in Banbury's town centre received hundreds of applications in a recent successful recruitment drive.

Farmer-led food provenance champion, Happerley England, will open the country’s first national centre for provenance at Banbury's Castle Quay Shopping Centre.

Situated at Lock29, a ground-breaking independent food and leisure destination located in Banbury’s Castle Quay, Happerley England will give farmers, suppliers and producers a platform to champion their ‘Gold Standard’ produce. The

Matthew Rymer, CEO and founder of Happerley, said: "We've had hundreds of applicants. A very good response. We've already appointed a bar manager."

Happerley England held a recruitment drive to fill 40 jobs, which closed last Friday August 7.

TV presenter and farmer Adam Henson will be on hand for the grand opening on Saturday August 29.

The venue, which will fill the 30,000 square foot former BHS store in Castle Quay, will also provide permanent places for three street food vendors provided by three local business, which include Tom's Diner, The Rustic Bean Coffee House and a farm Hornton will be providing the burgers and hot dogs.

They will open up with a butchery called Green Wild, which will offer venison products from Mike Robinson's operation called Robinson Wild Foods from Cirencester. Mike Robinson, who runs several restaurants across the UK also has his own television show called Farming the Wild TV.

Mr Rymer said: "We're looking at selling meat and telling it's full story and the exact animal it's from."

The venue will also have off a wide range of bread from Hobbs House Bakery, which are also known for their Channel 4 TV show the The Fabulous Baker Brothers, staring, Tom and Henry Herbert.

Happerley are also working with Hook Norton Brewery to have a major role in the bar area, along with another business called The Craft Drinks Company from in Bourton-on-the-Water.

Matthew added: "We're probably going to have one of the largest spirits and wine selections in the UK."

The venue will also host a food and drink festival next month.

Organisers say the venue will also provide a safe place for people come and enjoy themselves during the current coronavirus.

Matthew added: "We're looking at this as a very COVID compliant area for the community. People are valuing food and drink and the importance of sustainability more than ever before due to COVID-19.

"The Happerley England Banbury location at Lock29 will include a dedicated cheese counter, a butchery, a fish mongers, a bar with large variety of craft beer and more.

"We've got the space. We're providing a table ordering system so you can scan a QR code from your table. When customers download the Happerley England App they will be able to see where all the ingredients of any of the items sold."