Witney bucks national trend as two new late-night venues open within days of each other

The night-time economy has struggled to re-establish itself after Covid 19 with locals relying on travelling into Oxford for live entertainment. 

But bucking the national trend, where current economic pressures are taking a heavy toll, two new hospitality businesses Little Sandy's and Blind Tiger will open in the first week of November.

Chairman of the Witney Chamber of Commerce David Gambier said: "As a Chamber, we are encouraged when any new businesses decide to open in Witney and we obviously wish Little Sandy’s and Blind Tiger well."

Referring to the large number of gastropubs, he said: "I am sure that both will have done their research as to the current state of nightlife in the town and where their offering might fit into what is already here."

George Sandbach, who will open Little Sandy's in Langdale Court on November 4, said: "Witney historically had a great nightlife scene but since Covid, and possibly just before then, a lot of the clubs closed."

The Sandbach brothers George, Will and Chris, own Sandy’s Piano Bar in King Edward Street in Oxford, events company Sandy’s on-the-move and Jukeboxes Duelling Piano Bar in Birmingham.

George said: "Knowing a lot of our clientele in Oxford come from Witney we knew the thirst for a great late night live music bar in Witney was needed.

"Having been brought up around that area and represented Oxfordshire in a number of sports around there for many years a lot of my contacts urged us to open there and lo and behold we now are two weeks away.

"There are so many great pubs in Witney which do amazing food so I think we will compliment them very well. We will be opening late meaning Witney goers can form a night out locally rather than having to go to Oxford."

The brothers - all nicknamed Sandy - are also linked to the The Oxford Wine Company and the Oxford Wine Cafe where George is operations director.

Andrew Coles, councillor for Witney Central, said: "It’s fantastic to see more new businesses coming to Witney in what are still very tough times, particularly for those in hospitality.

"Witney’s nightlife has struggled for many years and it’s frustrating that young people have had to travel to enjoy a good night out.

"Despite the chaotic national economic picture, it’s great that our town is still seen as an attractive place for new business and opportunity and growth."

However, not everyone is happy.

Blind Tiger Bar will open a late-night cafe and cocktail bar in the former Joules clothes store at 8 Market Square on November 5.

A spokesperson said: "We’re mainly a cocktail bar that will be offering a small selection of food as well as a street food bottomless brunch." 

But objecting to the licensing application, neighbour Gemma Nolan wrote: "Witney Market Square is already rife with late-night antisocial and violent behaviour, fights, injuries and regular police intervention. Our streets and alleys are treated badly by drunken bar patrons with vomit, urine and broken glass everywhere by morning.

"The building in question adjoins and shares passage with 10 residences where children live. The impact is not reasonable or safe with loud late night music, increased trespassing and a backdoor giving even more access to the residential area.

"This is already a problem area and the addition of another bar would only worsen things."

And Robert Shelley wrote "just last night an incident occurred which required three police vehicles and a manhunt for a suspect who had appeared to glass someone literally outside where this new bar would be.

"In addition to these regular violent incidents, the alley way to the side of the new bar and the rear parking area are frequently used by drunk people as a public latrine, a vomitorium and in one incident a few month back somewhere to have fully naked drunken sex."

Witney Town Council said it welcomed a new live music venue but had concerns about noise and wanted neighbouring properties directly contacted about the licence application.

The bar has said it will have registered security staff on late night openings and a written dispersal policy in effect, ensuring that at the end of an evening customers are reminded to respect neighbours and keep the noise down as they leave.