With the closure of non-essential shops for the third national lockdown, you may be hesitant about heading out to pick up something you need - or a treat - only to find that the shop is closed. Botley-based professional photographer Douglas Fry, of Piranha Photography, is helping local essential businesses spread the word to residents that they are still going strong, by capturing their friendly teams with his lens.
Douglas says 'Each shop owner has an interesting story to tell of their experience of Covid-19 and operating in the current climate.
'I spoke to Lucy, who is running Jericho Coffee Traders Roastery. She said: “We are open for takeaway coffees and ground coffee, but often our customers don’t know the shop is still open, just with slightly reduced hours.”
'Lucy is also working for a friendly doorstep theatre project with WhatNot Theatre, which she hopes will raise the morale of the local community.'
The businesses, all within 1 square mile of each other on or near the Botley Road, include:
Jericho Coffee Traders Roastery
Osney Mead, OX2 0ES (currently click&collect only from Spring Greens Cafe next door while they undergo refurbishment)
Aldens Meatmaster
Osney Mead, OX2 0ES (open as usual 7am-5pm Mon-Sat, 9am-2pm Sundays. Home delivery available) - family run, quality butchers.
Aldens Fishmarket
Osney Mead, OX2 0ES. Over 100 varieties of fresh fish and seafood, open 7am-3pm Tue-Sat, 9am-2pm Sundays. Their onsite restaurant, Fish4Lunch, is open for takeaway on Fridays and Saturdays - pre-order online.
Pickle&Lime
67 Botley Road OX2 0BS. Oxford's newest greengrocer, selling seasonal local produce plus honey, eggs, jams and preserves. 7.30am-5pm Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm Sundays, home delivery available.
The Oxford Wine Company
167 Botley Road OX2 0PB. Booze has been deemed essential by the government, so you can make a journey of discovery by trying new varieties from this independent wine merchant. Open 10am-7pm Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm Sundays, home delivery available.
Woodlands Pharmacy
82 Botley Road, OX2 0BU, call 01865 242649 for prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and toiletries. Open 9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Saturdays, closed Sundays.
Magenta Self Storage
91-99 Botley Road 0X2 0EZ. If you're in the process of moving house or need somewhere to relocate clutter while the charity shops are closed, they are currently offering 2 months at half price. Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat, 10am-3pm Sun.
Beaumont Veterinary Group
111 Botley Road OX2 0LF. Provide care for the furry members of your family. Open 8am-6.30pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-5pm Sat, closed Sundays.
Warlands Cycle Shop
63 Botley Road OX2 0BS 8.30am-2.30pm Mon-Fri (4pm on Wed), 9am-2.15pm Sat, closed Sun. The Warlands team say "we are still here and open normal times, we have stock of new bikes and our workshop is still operating - but remember to be patient, we have COVID based precautions in place to protect us all."
All opening hours are correct as far as we know but we advise checking before you set out! If you're not local to Botley, check out their home delivery services instead where applicable.
We love these colourful, engaging shots and think that the shop staff's face coverings don't hide their smiles!
Douglas reflects “This has been a fun project and one that I have particularly enjoyed as each small shop has a different story to tell of how they serving the public. Their resourcefulness and good spirits are just what we need during this lockdown.”
See more of Douglas' work on the Piranha Photography website.