Oxford leisure park cinema and bowling alley saved after backlash forces developers to change plans
Plans to knock down the cinema and bowling alley at Ozone Leisure Park and replace them with science labs have been dropped after thousands of Oxford residents signed petitions
The cinema and bowling alley at the Ozone Leisure Park in Oxford will now be kept, after developers dropped plans to demolish them and build science labs in their place.
In February, developers Firoka Group, Pioneer Group and Bidwells proposed to redevelop the site on Grenoble Road by removing its leisure facilities. The plans sparked strong opposition and two separate petitions attracted more than 4,700 signatures.
Local resident Payam Atar started one of the petitions to save the cinema, which gained over 3,200 signatures. Another 1,500 people supported a petition from the Independent Oxford Alliance.
The developers have now released new proposals that keep a five- or six-screen cinema and bowling alley as part of a wider redevelopment. The new plans also include restaurants, cafés, and science labs.
A previously empty Grade II-listed building, the Priory Pub, will also be restored and reopened for public use.
Councillor Linda Smith, who represents Blackbird Leys on Oxford City Council, said: “I welcome the news that the new development will include a five or six screen cinema, a new bowling alley, new restaurants and a community use for the Priory Pub.”
She added: “Only the highlights of the proposed development masterplan have been shared so far, but on the face of it, it appears to be good news for the local community.”
Councillor David Henwood, who represents Littlemore, said: “Everyone who signed the IOA petition should take pride in the fact that they have helped influence decisions and shown the developer that there is a genuine need for leisure activities in Oxford.”
He added: “I am so pleased that this is an outcome genuinely influenced by the people of Oxford — and that the developer has listened.”
The developers say the plans will create 1,900 new jobs, including entry-level and technical roles.
A spokesperson for Firoka Group said: “We are excited to be progressing these proposals for the Ozone Leisure Park – a site that, in its current form, is no longer sustainable.”
James Latham, Director at Pioneer Group, said: “We’ve heard from many people about how much the Ozone Leisure Park and the Priory Pub mean to the community. This scheme not only safeguards valued leisure facilities and brings the Priory back into use but also offers an opportunity to reinvigorate the entire site.”
Residents will be able to view and comment on the updated plans at a drop-in event at the leisure park on Wednesday 16 July, from 2pm to 7pm.