Harwell Campus feeds scientific minds as it launches pop-up dining "experience"

A new pop-up dining experience, DiSH has launched this week at Harwell Campus, and is open to everyone, bringing people together with street food and drinks all under one roof.

DiSH offers small and independent food crews taking up residence in converted shipping containers, offering street food from all over the world and open from 7.00am through to 6.00pm Monday and Tuesday and from 7.00am to 8.00pm Wednesday to Friday and serving breakfast, lunch and after work drinks.

Stuart Grant, Chief Executive of Harwell Campus, said: “Harwell is a large employer across Oxfordshire, and home to a 6,000 strong community of scientists who are helping to solve the world’s greatest challenges.

“It’s really important to us that we create desirable spaces that allow people who work on the Campus to collaborate and innovate, as well as creating welcoming spaces for their families and the wider community to enjoy"

Thibault Bouquet de Jolinière, Development Director, at DiSH, added “Our array of food vendors, bring flavours, vibrance, and a great atmosphere to the fascinating place that is Harwell Campus. We’re so excited to be launching DiSH and welcoming guests from the campus and across Oxfordshire to everything it has to offer.”

Visitors can grab a coffee and pastry at Sandy’s in the morning, devour a burger from 1885, a vegan curry from the authentic coconut kitchen, classic Indian street food from Urban Indian or a contemporary Thai or middle eastern style Salad from Bibi’s Kitchen at lunch and enjoy a post work cocktail, beer or wine at Sandy’s, there is something for everyone throughout the day.

And DiSH’s innovative ordering system allows customer to pick their food online, order in advance or from the table and select a time to collect.

1885 burgers serves delicious, juicy burgers including veggie options inspired from when the burger was first created, in 1885! Buns are made fresh daily from a local baker, and the meat is sourced locally too.

Authentic Coconut Kitchen provides a range of curries and sides which are largely gluten-free and vegan friendly. Come and taste the unique blend of spices and coconut-based dishes characterised in Sri Lankan cuisine.

Oxford City-based Sandy’s has opened an additional venue at Harwell with classic cocktails and a tempting wine list, perfect for an after work catch-up. During the day you’ll find great, locally roasted coffee and fresh, tasty pastries.

Urban Indian, established in the London food scene, has long been winning hearts with their home-inspired recipes, including chickpea curries topped with fresh herbs and spices or chicken tikka in a wrap.

Bibi’s Kitchen is serving salads inspired by middle eastern flavours.

Chor Muang Thai creates a mix of classic and modern, contemporary style Thai dishes, designed to represent the incredible variety of Thai food and cooking.

In February, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus announced it was forging ahead with its five million sq. ft masterplan to consolidate Harwell as one of the fastest growing sites dedicated to science and technology in the UK.  At 48,000 sq. ft, Zeus is the latest building on campus to reach practical completion and together with several onsite refurbishments, takes available space on campus to 105,000 sq. ft.

Zeus broke ground in January 2020 and is a multidisciplinary building suitable for light engineering, R&D, laboratory, assembly, cleanrooms and offices and despite three lockdowns and challenging pandemic conditions is now available to let.

Recent research from Bidwells has highlighted the resilience of Oxford’s office market during recent lockdowns. Several large lettings, dominated by the science sector have driven the vacancy rate down in Oxfordshire close to six percent, with demand levels from prospective occupiers at record levels.

And research from JLL has revealed that life sciences has become an established standalone real estate asset class, with a 166 percent increase in volume of real estate transitions in the past three years and over £65bn of potential capital targeting the global life sciences real estate sector.

The campus has experienced the growth in this sector first-hand. In May 2020, the UK established the Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) at Harwell through £65 million of government funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This created the country’s first strategic vaccines development and manufacturing capability on the campus.

At the end of January this year, The Rosalind Franklin Institute also reached practical completion. This world leading facility will house researchers who are dedicated to transforming life science through interdisciplinary research and technological development.