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May 8, 2026

A Spring Message From The Oxford Collection Founder & Chairman Jeremy Mogford

I would like to say a somewhat overdue hello to you with my Spring/Early Summer newsletter and update you all on everything ‘Oxford Collection’ and more… This particular newsletter will be mostly about a planned reimagination of our much-loved Gees. It is all about our optimism for the future.

It’s not often that one gets the chance to take a step back and say, ‘having been the custodian of Gees for over forty years… is there anything we can do to improve it?’

Back in 1985, we created a brand-new restaurant and bar from scratch, by changing the long-established use of one of the city’s most eye-catching landmarks, Oxford’s famous Victorian Conservatory. In June this year, we are going to make some changes to Gees by improving all the elements we feel could be better.

We have done a little digging into the original history of the building. Our story begins with John Gee, back in the early 1900’s, a local farmer with two farms; Blackhall Farm, a stone’s throw away on the other side of the Banbury Road and also Summertown Farm. The listed Victorian Conservatory was originally constructed as a nursery and retail shop to market the family’s vegetables, fruit, flowers and plants to the residents of Oxford.

In 1984, I acquired this famous landmark, recognising it’s potential to become a unique restaurant and meeting place, easily accessible to the whole city. The Gee family continue to farm on the outskirts of the city, in Binsey and Cumnor Hill, supplying us with asparagus and strawberries when in season. After it was first constructed by the GEE family as a plant nursery and retail outlet, selling their own farm grown fruit and vegetables. Our improvements will start at the front door by giving a nod to its history to illustrate how it all started with its own MARKET GARDEN AND FARM, located nearby on the other side of the road.

Firstly, we begin with the entrance. Although there are a number of ways to get into the building, we will retain the existing side passageway and create a new, long line of comfortable seats and tables on the left-hand side so our customers will now face inwards, this space will become warmer and more inviting, the perfect place for early morning coffee or lingering for a table inside. Our bar area will remain much the same, but be made more comfortable with new materials and colours. The interior of the main conservatory will see the biggest change.

A recurring niggle we sometimes hear from our Gees customers is that, at certain times when it’s crowded, the noise level can make it difficult to hold a conversation. We are confident we can successfully address this issue without changing the overall atmosphere, by introducing some ideas to reduce noise levels using more fabrics and creating some extra fixed seating in the centre of the space. This seating will have two main purposes, one is to help reduce noise and echoes, and secondly, to satisfy the constant requests from our guests, “to be seated side by side, or cote a cote (include correct accents), as it is sometimes described.” We are increasing the number of corner tables from the current four to a total of twelve. Given the choice, we know that most people prefer a corner table for more intimacy and conversation.

But, what about the most important element of a restaurant, I hear you say? Namely, the food….

Behind the scenes, along with our new Head Chef, we have been working on an exciting, improved menu. We have quizzed many of our loyal customers to come up with suggestions for their ‘last supper dish’. This has been fascinating exercise showing us a huge range of dishes, including tried and tested British favourites, and combining them with many suggestions from around the world, showing us that many of you have a real love of certain Asian fusion, Indian and American dishes.

North Oxford Revitalisation

Over the last few years, we have been witnessing the city’s centre of gravity moving inexorably northwards. We watch with interest the Ellison & Foster plans for the Eagle and Child in St Giles, seen the far-reaching Lucy Jericho housing developments, now joined by the nearly completed development of the original Radcliffe Infirmary, with benefactors Schwartzman and Blavatnik setting the pace with new, exciting buildings and uses. University College has just completed an incredible new college development in the Banbury Road and St Edmund Hall has interestingly expanded adjacent to Lady Margaret Hall, whilst not forgetting that St John’s College has created a real pull and focus with their game changing red roofed Oxford North.

Where are we placed in the context of this evolution? ….. GEES and THE PARSONAGE, with its recent Michelin Key, are slap bang in the middle of everything going on around us.

We all look forward to welcoming you to Gees in June.

Quod for Best Restaurant in Oxford

Quod is once again in the running for Best Restaurant in Oxford in the annual OxInaBox Food Awards.

After being voted Oxford’s Favourite Restaurant in 2025, the Quod team are looking to make history by taking home the trophy two years on the trot.

Katherine and the Ox in a Box team are huge champions of the Oxford Dining scene, and the organising of the annual award ceremony is such an enormous undertaking, she should really have a trophy of her own for bringing together the great and good of our City’s thriving hospitality scene.

You can vote for Quod at the link below.

News from Across the City

Oxfordshire Youth

The Oxford Collection has joined Oxfordshire Youth as a Business Guardian, becoming part of a respected network of Oxfordshire businesses committed to raising aspirations, and creating long-term, positive change for young people across the county.

The Oxford Collection will take the lead role in representing the Hospitality industry, working with Oxfordshire Youth and partner Business Guardians to break down barriers into employment for young people from underserved communities.

As part of our Business Guardian commitment, we have launched a brand new “Donation Menu” initiative in each of our three restaurants, enabling guests to add a donation to their bill at the end of their meal, 100% of which goes directly towards Oxfordshire Youth’s vision to ensure every child and young person has the skills, connections, and support they need to thrive.

Being a part of the Business Guardians is a powerful opportunity for leaders within Oxfordshire to inspire, support, and raise the next generation through the lens of their own experiences, all while raising vital funds for an organisation making tangible change every day throughout our county.

Oxford Literary Festival

We had a spectacular evening at the opening party for the Oxford Literary Festival 2026 at the Blavatnik School of Government. As proud sponsors of the opening festivities, it was a genuine privilege to witness the festival kick off with such energy and elegance. The room was alive with conversation, and it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces among the participating authors, whose insights and creativity are the heartbeat of this entire event.

We must extend a heartfelt thank you to Sally Dunsmore and Tony Byrne. Their tireless dedication and vision are what make this festival such a resounding success year after year; it was lovely to celebrate with them and the wider literary community in our great city. We are honoured to support a festival that brings so much intellectual vibrance to the city, and we look forward to the many inspiring years still to come.

Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities

We are incredibly proud to partner with the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities as Founding Patrons, supporting the highly anticipated launch of the Schwarzman Centre Cultural Programme.

This landmark venue represents an extraordinary development for Oxford, introducing a dynamic, world-class cultural campus to the heart of the city at the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter. Beyond its obvious architectural impressiveness, the Centre holds profound cultural importance for the creative and performance industries. As proponents of The Arts in all its forms across the city, we are thrilled to partner with a pioneering programme that will foster unprecedented collaboration between global artists, local talent, and the wider community, ensuring Oxford remains an international hub for the arts for years to come.