ABOUT JERICHO - LANDMARKS
A functional building that offers ample space for two health practices
The Jericho Health Centre occupies the ground floor of New Radcliffe House in Walton Street. The building cost £11 million and was completed in 2012. It is owned by Oxford University which leases the ground floor to the NHS for two GP practices which have around a dozen doctors. In 2003, the NHS sold the Radcliffe Infirmary site to the University for the development of the Radcliffe Observatory Quarter. A condition of the sale, and the subsequent planning permission, was that the site should offer a new home for the Jericho Health Centre.
Originally the plans were more ambitious – to house more practices and onsite medical services such as X-rays and also a pharmacy. But because of budgetary constraints plans had to be scaled back. Moreover, design finished up rather plain, described by the Civic Society as ‘bland and uninspiring’. Nevertheless, the doctors consider this a good functional build which is a huge improvement on their old building at the top of Cranham Street. Other floors of the building are occupied Oxford University’s Department of Public Health Care and Oxford University Press.
The history of the Phoenix?
There has been a cinema here since 1913. Orginally it the 'North Oxford Kinema', since when it has passed through many hands and names, including the Scala, the New Scala, the Studios 1 and 2, Studio X (a club showing soft porn) and finally in 1977 the Phoenix.
The origins of Walton?
Walton is derived from "wall town" which was used centuries ago to indicate a location outside the Oxford city walls. The ancient manor of Walton was certainly in existence before the Norman conquest in 1066.