BBQ Chain Creates 100 Jobs in Oxfordshire Expansion

A beloved local pub is getting a second life as a barbecue restaurant that's creating 100 jobs for the Oxfordshire community.

Hickory's Smokehouse is transforming The Bystander pub in Wootton, near Abingdon, into its newest location. The venue closed in April for renovations and contractors say the doors will reopen in early September.

The restaurant chain is actively hiring kitchen staff with impressive pay packages. Senior sous chefs can earn up to £40,000, sous chefs up to £36,000, and junior sous chefs around £33,000.

Workers at the site say the building is getting Hickory's signature wooden cladding that gives all their restaurants a distinctive Southern BBQ feel. The transformation shows how thoughtful redevelopment can preserve buildings while creating economic opportunity.

This marks Hickory's first restaurant in Oxfordshire, though the chain already has locations in Milton Keynes and Swindon. Managing director John Welsh says Abingdon has been on their wish list for quite some time.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond the direct job creation, Hickory's has a track record of supporting local communities. The company works with schools, charities, grassroots sports teams, and community groups in every town where they open.

Since opening their first location in Chester in 2010, Hickory's has grown steadily across the UK. They now operate restaurants throughout the North West, Midlands, Yorkshire, and Wales, with each location becoming part of the local fabric.

The company emphasizes promoting hospitality as a top career choice and focuses on developing staff into leadership roles. Their senior sous chef positions are specifically designed as stepping stones to head chef roles.

Greene King, which previously ran The Bystander as a pub, partnered with Hickory's to make the transition happen. The collaboration shows how established hospitality companies can work together to create growth opportunities.

New jobs, fair wages, and a commitment to community involvement make this opening worth celebrating.