Cocktail bar and wine shop venture launched at Bicester's Graven Hill development

Independent operator Wine Valley Limited has launched a cocktail bar and shop at the first-of-a-kind Graven Hill housing development in Bicester.

Pradeep Thangaraj, of Wine Valley, said: "There are hundreds of people now living on site which meant that Graven Hill was the perfect location to launch this new concept.

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"We are proposing a high end, friendly and cosy bar and shop which is in keeping with this high quality development on the edge of Bicester, close to the Designer Outlet Village."

Thangaraj added that the firm was working closely with global drinks giant Diageo on the prototype venture.

"We are keen to appeal to all ages and want to provide a welcoming and relaxing place to meet and I’m planning a wide range of mocktails as part of our fantastic array of drinks," he added.

White Commercial Surveyors, which is advising Graven Hill, leased the new facilities to Wine Valley Limited.

Alongside wine and beer, the shop will sell day-to-day groceries until the arrival of the convenience store at the site.

Gemma Davis, customer experience director at Graven Hill Village Development Company (GHVDC), said: "This exciting venture will be fantastic for the Graven Hill community and it’s great to welcome Wine Valley Limited to the site.

"We’re delighted to have delivered on our promise to residents with this year’s opening of a licensed venue and a place to buy day to day groceries such as bread and milk."

Graven Hill offers a flexible alternative to the traditional housing market and is the UK’s largest self and custom build residential development. It is surrounded by woodland and boasts allotments and a network of cycle and footpaths connecting it to Bicester town centre.

A primary school run by the Warriner Academy Trust is set to open in September. A community centre is also set to be delivered by the local council.

The project is the vision of Cherwell district council and spans 188 hectares of former Ministry of Defence land.

Chris White, the managing director at White Commercial Surveyors, said: "With almost 500 homes now occupied at the popular Graven Hill village it has become an attractive offer to commercial operators. We continue to try to attract a pub/restaurant operator to deliver a development on the prominent frontage site."

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