Oxford is well known for its rich history and academic excellence. However, it is also a hub for thriving small businesses. There are plenty of small business resources in Oxford that small and medium-sized enterprises can take advantage of. With so much on offer, however, you may wonder which opportunities might suit you best. This guide presents you with a number of interesting and useful resources that we have used when staying and working in Oxford. You can use this as a starting point to harness resources in Oxford to suit your business needs.
Getting around Oxford
It is likely that you will need to site your business in a good area of Oxford, so that you can, for instance, attract employees or provide a good meeting space for clients who want to visit your premises. The most usual ways of getting around Oxford are by bus, rail or on foot.
Oxford railway station, 0X1 1HS, provides a seamless connection to many major destinations, whether you are commuting within the city itself or planning trips to nearby cities.
Additionally, there is a park-and-ride service on Woodstock Road, OX2 8GD, which is a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for those who wish to drive. Park-and-ride services allow the city centre to reduce traffic while providing you with a useful way in which to get to your destination during peak times.
Business and collaborative hubs in Oxford
There are a variety of interesting collaborative hubs for your business to get involved with in Oxford. For example, The Oxford Centre for Innovation, which is based on New Road, OX1 1BY, provides small businesses with an inspiring place in which to do business.
With coworking spaces, networking, events, and business support, any entrepreneur, no matter what sector they work in, can get useful support in growing their business.
On the other hand, for those specialising in life sciences, and health innovation, there is a Bio Escalator on the Old Road campus, OX3 7FZ, which combines cutting-edge facilities and fosters collaboration within the medical research community. This hub is tailored to businesses in these fields and will help provide the acceleration of small businesses that innovate in these areas.
Meeting spaces in Oxford
There may be a point at which you need to arrange to meet clients, whether to hold a seminar, launch a product or simply have a board meeting.
Some options include Malmaison Oxford OX1 1AY, which provides meeting rooms for up to 8 people in beautiful surroundings. This is the place to be if you want to impress clients.
Alternatively, Marconi in Oxford Science Park OX4 4GA provides a wide range of services for those seeking meeting spaces. This could be a useful meeting point for those interested in health or life sciences businesses.
As one of the biggest event and meeting spaces in Oxfordshire, the Kassam Conference and Event Centre (OX4 4XP) could host your larger events. It provides a range of packages to suit any type of business, large, or small.
Accommodation in Oxford
If you’re inviting clients to come and visit, or you want to book some accommodation yourself in Oxford, you will be spoilt for choice. Some notable examples of great choices when it comes to accommodation in Oxford include:
- Malmaison Oxford – Based in the historic Oxford castle, Malmaison offers a stylish and unique accommodation option. Centrally located, it offers a great way for key business districts to connect, so whether you are hosting clients or inviting them for conferences, this is a great place to stay.
- The Old Parsonage Hotel, OX2 6NN -Luxury and convenience combine here to make for a great option for Oxford accommodation. The Old Parsonage, which is located on Banbury Road, provides upscale amenities and is strategically located in close proximity to business hubs. A peaceful retreat within a great location makes this a great choice for anyone staying in the area.
Dining options in Oxford
If you want to entertain clients in Oxford there are multiple wonderful places to eat but the two that we personally love are:
- Quod Brasserie OX1 4BJ. Located on the High Street, this brasserie combines a diverse menu with a sophisticated atmosphere. It’s an excellent choice for impressing business associates.
- The Cherwell Boathouse, OX2 6ST. Beautifully sited along the Cherwell River, the Boathouse provides a beautiful setting for client meetings. With fine dining on offer alongside the beautiful views, it is the perfect choice for elegant business dinners.
Business services for small businesses in Oxford
Whether you are running a fintech start-up or you have begun to create your first products for sale, access to the right services is a vital part of your business journey. Many small business owners prefer to outsource various elements of running a business such as accounting, web development, advertising and digital marketing (as an SEO Agency that’s where Ditto Digital come in!).
Using specialist consultants and service providers can help to grow a business in the first few years. This enables the business to obtain expert services in areas that are not their speciality and focus on the core business until they can bring certain services in-house.
With all the resources available in Oxford to help small and medium-sized enterprises with all aspects of their business, there’s really no reason why your business should not be primed for future growth. All that’s left to do is find the services that work best for you, and launch your business with confidence.
