Oxford's station has a new platform - and it serves English breakfasts and cocktails

Platform 5, next to Sainsbury’s in Frideswide Square, opened at the end of last year but shortly after opening day, it was forced to close due to the last coronavirus lockdown.

Angelica Tredwin, who runs the cafe with her business partner Donato Capiello, said the cafe is proving popular after reopening last month.

Mother-of-two Ms Tredwin, who lives in Abingdon, said the cafe space is being rented from the Royal Oxford Hotel.

She is hopeful that as coronavirus restrictions ease, more visitors to Oxford will start to call in, for cooked breakfasts, food and drink throughout the day, and drinks in the evening including cocktails as the premises has an alcohol licence.

Angelica Tredwin outside Platform 5 cafe

Ms Tredwin, who works at the new cafe with her son William plus a number of other staff, said: “There are four platforms at Oxford station so we thought it would be a nice idea to call the cafe Platform 5.

“We serve breakfast and food throughout the day and then from 5.30pm to 11pm the cafe becomes a wine bar.

“I think the cafe is in a good location for visitors walking from the station to the city centre.

“As the restrictions start to ease, hopefully there will be a lot more visitors to Oxford - people who are having a staycation this summer because they don’t want to go abroad.”

Ms Tredwin, who also works as a fitness instructor, added: “Hopefully we will also get lots of customers from the Said Business School.

“We are delighted to be properly open again following lockdown and we are really hoping the situation continues to improve.

Julia Livette, left enjoys a drink at Platform 5 with Connie Exley Picture: Andy Ffrench

“It has been frustrating because it’s been stop-start for us but we are feeling positive now as we are starting to get busy again.”

Ms Tredwin said there are about 40 seats inside the cafe.

One regular customer is Julia Livette, from Botley, who visited earlier this week with her friend Connie Exley.

She said: “I think it’s a lovely place - we can walk down from Botley for a coffee and something to eat.”

English breakfasts cost £9.50 while vegetarian and vegan breakfasts cost £8.50.

For lunch, tuna melts cost £5.90 while a ham and cheese toastie costs £4.90.

Angelica Tredwin inside Platform 5

Soup of the day will set you back £5.50 while a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich or a vegan wrap both cost £5.50.

Then, from 6.30pm to 11pm, aperitivi are served.

The Platform 5 Aperitivo Italiano costing £10 features Parma ham, salami Milano, the ‘Eatalian Job’ cheese and antipasto, mozzarella brie, grilled vegetables, Nocellara olives, homemade dips and artisan Oxford sourdough bread.

Platform 5 also offers up Mexican chicken wings, costing £6, and asparagus wrapped in pancetta which costs £4.

An indulgent selection of desserts are also served, including the cheesecake garnished with Italian chocolate liqueur, costing £4.80.

Some of the cafe’s customers are guests from the Royal Oxford Hotel.

Other cafes and restaurants that have previously occupied the same space include Cafe Coco and Bamboo.

Another cafe and bar in the square is the Jam Factory.

The former La Croissanterie cafe closed a number of years ago.