Oxford homeless cafe set to close

A cafe for homeless and vulnerable people in Oxford is under threat after the council asked it to vacate its premises.

Oxford City Council has asked The Gatehouse to vacate the basement of Northgate Hall in St Michael's Street after a review of its property assets.

The charity-run cafe, which launched in 1991, opens six evenings a week.

The council said it regretted having to make the decision. The charity is appealing for help finding a new venue.

The city's housing councillor, Joe McManers, said: "The Gatehouse has provided a valued service to many hundreds of people over the years and it is regrettably that we have had to make this difficult decision.

"As a city council we will carry out our best endeavours to help The Gatehouse find alternative premises."

The Gatehouse project director Andrew Smith said: "We ask for every effort to be made by the many supporters of the project across the whole community to identify a suitable building which might be made available."