Chipping Norton is a market community and civil parish in the Cotswold Hills in the West Oxfordshire district of Oxfordshire, England, concerning 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Banbury and 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Oxford. The 2011 Census recorded the church's population as 6,337. The town has its own theatre. The structure began life as a Salvation Army Citadel, with the first rocks, currently visible in the auditorium, being stocked 1888. It continued for some years as a furniture storehouse, prior to being found by two Royal Shakespeare Firm actors, Tamara and also John Malcolm in 1968. In 1973, fundraising for the brand-new theatre started in earnest, and also a pantomime, Beauty and the Beast was staged in the city center. The Theatre was opened in 1975 by Tom Baker, the Doctor Who of the moment, beginning with a light programme including movies and also lunchtime jazz shows. The adjacent cottage was purchased and also transformed to become the bar as well as gallery. In 1990 a structure in Goddards Lane was purchased as well as this currently serves as green room, workplaces as well as practice session room. The community additionally is a retail and recreation centre for its area, with 3 grocery stores as well as countless shops including branches of nationwide store. It has 4 hostelries as well as two resorts with public bars. The community has three institutions. Divine Trinity Roman Catholic School and also St Mary's Church of England School are primary schools. Chipping Norton School is the community's senior high school and also has a 6th type.