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Hostel open for business

From the archive, first published Friday 4th May 2001.

Oxford's new £3.5m youth hostel was given the thumbs-up yesterday by its first batch of visitors.

Just hours after opening its doors, the eye-catching building next to the railway station, welcomed a family from Scotland, some American backpackers, and local people or those connected to the universities looking for cheap accommodation.

The new YHA was today due to play host to 50 French schoolchildren who are arriving for what should be a fully booked Bank Holiday weekend.

The hostel replaces one in Jack Straw's Lane, Headington, which closed on Wednesday, and can take up to 187 people as well as offering facilities to the disabled.

Jonathan Brewer, manager of the Oxford YHA, said: "It is one of the best hostels in the country and a real boost for Oxford. We're absolutely delighted with the response."