1 week Ago
That was the official address - the building on the corner of Tidmarsh Lane seemed to be more part of Park End Street, sadly a rundown part of the city in recent years. To have New Road standing prominently at the top of any correspondence would certainly have given a more favourable impression to customers! Historian Malcolm Graham’s summary of Layton’s lengthy spell in the city (Memory Lane, March 3) sparked our interest in what New Road, an important gateway to the city, has to offer. Among the easily recognised features are the Castle Mound and St George’s Tower, both part of the medieval Oxford Castle.
Those with long memories will also recall that Nuffield College was built on what was part of the historic Oxford Canal, a vital transport route to the city in previous centuries. ’s decision to vacate its offices in New Road (Oxford Mail, February 22) and centralise its services in Speedwell Street also reminded us of the past. The Grade II listed Old County Hall continues to play a major role in city and county affairs, providing space for the coroner to hold inquests and for county council meetings.
In the past, it played a major role in the court system, with judges coming to Oxford to hear serious criminal cases at Oxfordshire Assizes. It was an ideal venue as a court as it was linked to the nearby Oxford Prison by an underground passage. The passage is still there, blocked these days, but it was ideal for getting criminals from cell to dock without any risk of escape or being sprung by gangs.
The prison, which was condemned in 1938 but remained open until 1996, catered mainly for local, low-key criminals. But it did have certain ‘celebrities’ at times. A Great Train Robber was held there briefly and it is said that a certain Duke of the realm was a ‘guest’ for a while and even chose the hymns at the Sunday chapel service.
The Malmaison hotel and restaurant now occupies the prison site, retaining many of the prison features. As we reported, the county council believes it can save money by downsizing to Speedwell Street. The plan is to sell the Old County Hall and open it for public use.
As we recalled, Layton & Son, set up by property developer George Layton, was in business in Bicester by 1903 as house furnishers, upholsterers, china dealers and builders’ merchants. But the firm was best known in Oxford as motorcycle and car dealers with premises not only in New Road but, at times, in Broad Street, Holywell Street and High Street. It was heavily involved in motorcycle racing in the 1930s, supplying machines to several leading riders.
It was so popular with buyers that it was said to have sold, on one occasion, 48 motorcycles in 24 hours. It is not yet known what Old County Hall will be used for in future..
