Hot stuff at ProCook Westgate launch

Liz Nicholls

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Westgate oxford

Liz Nicholls

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Get all the tools needed for home comfort autumn cooking with the opening of the new ProCook store at Westgate Oxford on Friday, 27th September, with exciting offers, goodie bags and Bake Off’s Steven Carter-Bailey.

The new ProCook store at Westgate Oxford opens on Friday with exciting offers, goodie bags and a special guest appearance from Bake Off’s Steven Carter-Bailey.

To celebrate the opening, ProCook is running a special in-store event on Friday 27th September with ProCook’s Food Expert and Great British Bake Off alumni Steven Carter-Bailey, who will greet customers, demo products, and offer handy hints, tips and tricks. So, for anyone who has some burning baking questions, ProCook at Westgate Oxford will be the place to be.

On Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September, the first 50 customers into ProCook’s new store each day will receive a free goodie bag also.

The bright and airy store features ProCook’s full range of high quality products, from stunning tableware and barware to colourful cast iron casserole dishes and cutting edge knife ranges. ProCook’s new small kitchen appliance range recently launched, with the full range being available to purchase in store including the Good Housekeeping Institute Accredited Air Fryer Health Grill, Stand Mixer and Hot Chocolate Maker.

ProCook’s Autumn Sale will also be in full swing, offering customers 20% off all cookware and tableware, up to £30 off all electricals, and money off select ranges. Plus, students can get 10% off when they spend £30 or more – perfect for those beginning a new university life.

Westgate Oxford’s new ProCook store is the first for Oxford and the wider Oxfordshire area and is creating up to 10 new jobs.

Andy Kerr, ProCook Retail Director, said: “We’re thrilled to open our newest store at Westgate Oxford, and to be continuing our partnership with Landsec shopping centres. We know that our customers love to shop for kitchenware in store, so our friendly, expert team are ready to share their knowledge and welcome keen home cooks from Oxford and the wider area.”

Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Westgate Oxford, commented: “We’re delighted to have become home to Oxford’s first ProCook store. The stores array of high-quality cookware paired with expert advice is bound to be a hit, and the opening date is perfectly timed for guests to get their kitchen prepped and ready for the festive season.”

ProCook’s brand new store can be found at Unit 20, 209 Westgate Oxford, Queen Street, Oxford, OX1 1PE and is open Monday-Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm, and Sun 11am-5pm.

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Westgate Oxford: New Epic Bar

Ellie Cox

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Ellie Cox

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Flight Club – the lively fairground inspired bar and Social Darts experience is coming to Oxford and is set to open doors on 22nd November, just in time for the festive season!

Promising to deliver a one-of-a-kind social experience to Oxford, Flight Club is designed to bring groups of friends together for an unforgettable time. Situated on the roof terrace level of the Westgate Shopping Centre, Oxford locals can look forward to a stunning bar with a lively atmosphere, craft cocktails, and delicious sharing dishes. Expect unexpected, ridiculous joy every time.

Flight Club Oxford will offer semi-private oches (Social Darts playing areas) around a spectacular bar, along with plenty of seating options and two beautiful terraces. Its blend of delicious food and drink, stylish interiors, vibrant DJ sets, and energetic vibe makes this new addition to Oxford’s bar scene the perfect destination for creating memorable moments with friends.

Darts revolutionised

Flight Club’s highly popular Social Darts experience has completely transformed the traditional game, bringing darts into the 21st century with fun, fast-paced multiplayer games that anyone can enjoy.

First-time visitors to Flight Club should leave any preconceived notions about darts behind. This modernised version of the game has undergone a high-tech upgrade. Cameras track and automatically score each dart, eliminating the need for manual arithmetic. Live action replays are displayed on-screen during the session, and afterward, shareable stories of the best memories are sent directly to players’ phones.

Perfect for groups of friends, Flight Club redefines the traditional two-player game. Social darts, Flight Club’s enhanced version, allows up to 12 people to gather around an oche. For larger groups, corporate events, or Christmas parties, multiple oches can be linked to host up to 250 players in epic tournaments led by an expert Gamesmaster.

There are six immersive and fast-paced games to choose from. One game, ‘Demolition’, start players with 180 points, with the goal of reaching zero by taking turns throwing darts. Unlike traditional darts, no double is required to win, making it easier for newcomers. In the game ‘Killer’, players must hit their assigned number three times to become a “killer”. Once they achieve killer status, they aim to hit other players’ numbers to knock them out, with the last person standing declared the winner.

Small plates, sharing pizzas and spectacular cocktails

The food menu at Flight Club Oxford will include crowd-pleasing dishes ideal for sharing and eating mid-throw. Sourdough pizza paddles, juicy burgers and loaded fries are just some of the treats on offer.

If you’re a cocktail aficionado, you’ll be in good hands, with plenty of options to choose from, including signature cocktails, classics with a twist, cocktail slushies – perfect for balmy summer evenings – and sharing trophy cocktails served in a show-stopping trophy cup – the best way to toast the Social Darts champions.

Bottomless brunch with a twist

Not forgetting everyone’s favourite weekend pastime, Flight Club Oxford will also offer a bottomless brunch you won’t want to miss. Plenty of booze, great food, and an all-round epic time. Tickets for the two-hour brunch session cost from £30pp and include 60 minutes of gameplay at the oche, a bottle of prosecco per person and all the pizza you can eat. Party vibes are guaranteed as the resident DJ blasts the tunes throughout the day.

The setting: all the fun of the fairground

Flight Club Oxford will be decked out in Flight Club’s signature style, combining the fun of the fairground with Victorian nods and all the best bits of a traditional British pub. Think fairground-style signage and lighting that blinks in time to the music, panelling, bold prints, and subtle nods to Oxford’s history throughout.

There are treasures and trinkets in every corner to surprise and delight, including clocks and barometers of varying sizes on the walls, fun adaptations to Victorian portraits, reclaimed antique furniture pieces and a fairground carousel horse.

Booking enquiries: https://flightclubdarts.com/location-oxford

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Amalfi Experience at Six by Nico

Round & About

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Image by: Andrew Oglivy

Six by Nico in Oxford is a culinary gem that brings a refreshing and innovative dining experience to Oxford’s vibrant food scene. Ellie Cox went along to try out their new six-course tasting menu, embracing La Dolce Vita.

Located in the heart of Oxford, this restaurant offers a unique concept of themed six-course tasting menus that change every six weeks, ensuring that every visit is a new adventure for your taste buds.

From 1st July – 11th August, the tasting menu inspired by the Amalfi Coast promises to take guests on a culinary journey to the sun-kissed shores of its menu namesake through contemporary spins on the traditional flavours of Southern Italy.

The whole dining experience delivered just that. Despite a gloomy evening in Oxfordshire, as soon as you step into Six by Nico you’re taken on a unique journey to explore a taste of Southern Italy. From sipping on Aperol Spritz, to drinking wines that perfectly match each course; it’s an experience to remember.

The restaurant itself offers a sleek, contemporary design of the interior which, combined with warm lighting and comfortable seating, creates a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. The open kitchen adds a touch of excitement as diners can watch the chefs meticulously prepare each course.

However, the star of the show at Six by Nico is undoubtedly the food. The flavours are bold and inventive, with a beautiful presentation that is most definitelt Instagram-worthy. The use of fresh, high-quality ingredients is evident in every bite.

The six-course tasting menu is priced at £50, with an option to add matching wines to each course at £38 (highly recommend adding this).

The menu offers the following:

Course one – Parmesan Polenta
Espuma, Truffle, Mushroom Ragout

Course two – Heirloom Tomato
Green Olive Tapenade, Salted Lemon, Lovage Emulsion & Whipped Ricotta

Course three – Spaghetti Nero
Toasted Sourdough, Chilli, Confit Garlic & Scamorza Foam

Course four – Black Pollock
Bagna Cauda, Zucchini, Braised Fennel, Basil Dressing

Course five – Trio Of Pork
Belly Of Pork, Pancetta Ham Jam, Nduja Cannelloni, Smoked Onion, Pickled Summer Squash

Add-On (highly recommend that you try these!)
Crispy King Prawn, Peperoncino Verde Emulsion & Lemon Gel – £9

Course six – Delizia Al Limone
Lemon Mousseline, Polenta Cake, Caramelised White Chocolate, Yoghurt Sorbet

The ever-changing menus mean that there is always something new to look forward to, making it a great spot for special occasions and regular visits. The combination of exceptional food, outstanding service, and a stylish setting makes Six by Nico a must-visit.

Whether you’re local to Oxford or just visiting, make sure to be first in the queue (spaces get nabbed really quickly thanks to the buzz!) to book a table at Six by Nico for a dining experience that is both unique and unforgettable.

Amalfi Coast six-course tasting menu available from July 1st – 11th August, visit Amalfi Coast – Oxford – Six By Nico

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Six of the best from Nico

Liz Nicholls

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Westgate oxford

Six by Nico is the newest addition to the Westgate in Oxford. Liz Nicholls was lucky enough to be among the first to try it at the weekend

As the city of dreaming spires (with a wondrous view of them from the top of the Westgate) Oxford is known for its old-school charm.

But when a newcomer to the foodie scene creates a buzz, it’s a real thrill. And when that newcomer is an original foodie fanatic who has made his name in other, bigger, brasher cities before landing here, I’m sniffing about for titbits and tasters.

This is how I found myself absorbing the neon genius of an Irn Bru sorbet with a perfect ‘deep fried mars bar’ (actually a very classy chocolate pave & associated bits) in the intergalactic bonsai zen den at Six By Nico.

If you haven’t been to one of Nico Simeone’s restaurants (there are branches in Leeds, Belfast, London, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester and his native Glasgow) the concept is magically enjoyable. For £50 a head you can sit back and relax while you’re served a six-course tasting menu (dietary requirements catered for if you’re that person) that changes every six weeks, drawing inspiration from a memory, place or idea. For an extra £39 you can enjoy an expertly matched wine with each course, which I highly recommend you do.

Now, you might hate a ‘tasting menu’. Weeny portions and a lack of imagination at other restaurants might have given them a bad name, but not here. Thanks to hard graft, his Italian heritage, a flawless service team and a real passion for food, Nico knows exactly what he’s doing. The first menu is ‘the Chippie’, a nostalgic chip shop-inspired half dozen.

This is no bodged assortment of battered bits, instead you’ll find the courses deconstructed and dreamed up as better variations. From the starter, a mindbending parmesan and tatty concoction with curry oil, through the mains including a ‘steak pie’ of meaty magic which arrives in a smoke-filled cloche for a theatrical flourish to that incredible pud, you’re taken on a journey. But, amid a stonking interior (top marks for the amazing banquettes and yellow leather scalloped sofas) the food manages to sing. It’s not fancy for the sake of itself, either, but the flavours and originality should, hopefully mean this place is here for many changing menus to come. Oxford is stony ground for people to take root (as I know, 12 years after landing here myself) so I hope the Westgate crowd take it to their hearts.

I can’t wait for the next one. And, take it from me, you won’t leave hungry or hammered but with a spring in your step.

Bookings from 20th May. Visit Home – Six By Nico

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Give something back…volunteer!

Round & About

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Find your perfect volunteering opportunity at OCVA’s Volunteer Recruitment Fair at the Westgate Oxford Shopping Centre on 20th March 2024

Oxfordshire residents are invited to pop into the Westgate Shopping Centre on 20th March (10am-2pm) to find out more about the huge range of volunteering opportunities on offer across the county.

Oxfordshire Community & Voluntary Action (OCVA) has been supporting the voluntary and community sector to flourish in Oxfordshire for 90 years and their Volunteer Recruitment Fair will bring together more than 20 different groups, including charities working in health and wellbeing, education, the environment and more. They are all keen to chat with potential volunteers.

With recent research from the National Lottery Community Fund finding that half of UK adults intend to take part in local volunteering activities in 2024 – and one in ten (14%) planning to volunteer for the first time – this is a fantastic opportunity to find the perfect role to suit you.

Jenny Bowley, Volunteer Development Officer for OCVA, said: “OCVA is delighted to be working with Westgate Oxford to raise the profile of volunteering in Oxfordshire. We know volunteering is a lot of fun, can help you to use existing skills and to learn new ones, and is great for health and wellbeing, so we hope this fair will link more people with some of the amazing charities working across the county.”

Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Westgate Oxford, said, “By hosting the OVCA’s Volunteer Recruitment Fair, we hope that our guests will learn about the missions of an array of fantastic regional and national charities, and the tangible impact they have on their communities, whilst also encouraging them to get involved in volunteering.” 

If you’re interested in volunteering, why not visit OCVA’s website or the Oxon Volunteers website?

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Vintage shopping in Oxford this weekend

Round & About

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Book your tickets to buy second hand treasures by the kilo at a pop-up store in Leiden Square on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st May.

Westgate Oxford will welcome fast-growing sustainable fashion business ‘we are.’ on Leiden Square over Friday 19th, Saturday 20th, and Sunday 21st May.

The pop-up store will sell high-quality secondhand clothing, including womenswear and menswear from well-loved brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Nike, alongside authentic vintage items.  

The clothing rails will be refreshed at regular intervals throughout each day, ensuring all visitors get a chance to find some hidden gems regardless of their time of entry. Guests will be able to purchase as much or as little as they like, with the total cost dependent on the weight of the garments. Prices will start from £5, with a full kilo costing £25.

Brendan Hattam, Westgate centre, said: “With sustainability at the forefront of everyone’s minds, we know that our guests are looking for more climate-conscious ways to shop. That’s why we’re partnering with ‘we are.’ to bring pre-loved fashion to Westgate Oxford in response to the growing popularity of shopping second-hand, while brining our guests a new mix of premium and vintage brands at accessible prices.”

Matthew Griffiths, founder of ‘we are.’ added: “We are thrilled to be launching our kilo sale style pop-up store at Westgate Oxford for the first time, bringing our sustainable shopping experience back to Oxford after a successful pop-up in Oxford Town Hall last year. Millions of perfectly wearable clothes are thrown out each year and we are here to prove that sustainable fashion can help you stay on-trend as well as help save the planet.”

To book tickets, please visit Oxford Vintage Second Life Fashion Pop-Up Tickets

Visit Westgate Oxford to find out more.

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