Oxford News
UK pub chain ‘ready’ ahead of World Cup 2026 Cotswolds mania
Fuller’s has said it is “garden-ready” for the summer season and the FIFA World Cup, as more consumers book ahead and opt for staycations.
The company nonetheless took aim at tax rises it said were helping fuel pub closures and youth unemployment.
Fuller’s, which has 337 pubs and hotels across the south of England, reported revenues of £397.8 million for the year to March 28, up 5.7 per cent on the prior year.
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This was driven by higher food and drink sales as well as room bookings at its hotels.
Sales growth has continued since April, rising 4.4 per cent in the first 10 weeks of the financial year, compared like for like with the year before.
Fuller’s said it was well prepared for the summer and to host football fans coming to pubs to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will see England and Scotland play in the group stages of the tournament in the coming weeks.
It also highlighted strong hotel bookings linked to an increase in demand for staycations, particularly in the Cotswolds.
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Fuller’s executive chairman, Simon Emeny, said: “As we move into our summer season, preparations have gone well.
“Our garden investment programme has seen fresh space created for peak trading, advance bookings for the World Cup have been strong, and we are seeing increased demand for staycations benefiting our excellent rooms business.”
Mr Emeny said the group has been managing to grow sales “against an increasingly challenging macroeconomic and political backdrop”.
He said the industry has grappled with “unprecedented government interference, additional taxes and regulations”, particularly taking aim at last year’s increase to employer national insurance contributions, as well as costs like alcohol duty and sugar tax.
“These decisions come with consequences,” he warned, pointing to an increase in levels of youth unemployment and the closure of pubs in the UK.
The binmen were doing their rounds in Sandy Lane, Blackbird Leys on Wednesday morning, June 17, when flames came from the back.
At this stage, it’s not clear what was in the lorry to cause the fire, but the most common cause of bin lorry fires is from batteries and vapes thrown into regular household bins.
A spokesman from ODS said: “This morning, one of our recycling vehicles experienced a fire in Blackbird Leys after an item was incorrectly placed in the recycling bin.
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“Following advice from the fire brigade, the crew emptied the waste to prevent the fire from spreading.
“We’re pleased to confirm that no crew members were injured.
“Our highways team has now finished clearing the ejected waste, and our streets team is carrying out a litter pick and sweep to ensure the area is left clean and safe.
“At this stage, we are hopeful that collections in the Blackbird Leys ward will not be affected, as the team is working to adjust rounds so services can continue as normal.
“A big thank you to the crew and the Fire Brigade for their quick and professional response.
“Incidents like this highlight the importance of disposing of waste correctly to keep everyone safe.”
Oxfordshire County Council has been approached for further details from the fire service.
Ward councillor Linda Smith said: “I’m very relieved to hear no one was hurt.
“I don’t have any information as of yet about what caused the fire – but please do not place electrical items, vapes or batteries in your bin.”
Edward Reed will stand before retired detective chief constable Paul Mills during the panel hearing at Thames Valley Police Headquarters in Kidlington next month.
From Wednesday, July 15, he will defend allegations from various dates in 2023 about the “unwanted” use of sexualised language and behaviour toward and in the presence of female colleagues.
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During that time, Mr Reed was an officer based in Oxfordshire, prior to his resignation.
It is alleged that Former Police Constable Reed breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in relation to Authority, Respect and Courtesy, Equality and Diversity and Discreditable Conduct.
The appropriate authority allege that if these allegations are proven, the conduct would amount to gross misconduct for which dismissal would be justified.
The 66-year-old broadcaster and journalist made the announcement during the final two episodes of the fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm, released on Wednesday.
He shared the news with co-stars Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland during a conversation at his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire.
Mr Clarkson said: “I’ve got cancer.”
When Mr Cooper asked where the cancer was located, Mr Clarkson replied: “Where it is, is of no concern to anybody.
“I’ve known since May.”
He explained that the cancer was detected early following a medical in May and described it as “aggressive”.
Mr Clarkson said: “I was praying we could get the harvest done and then I could go and get some treatment, but it’s going to be slap bang in the middle.”
Later in the episode, he revealed he had surgery to remove 10 per cent of his prostate.
He also reflected on what has been a difficult year for his health, including a serious heart issue that required the fitting of two stents.
He said: “So we started the year and I had coronary heart disease and ended it with me with cancer.”
The series ends with footage of Mr Clarkson in a hospital bed as he undergoes treatment.
He told viewers: “Some of the treatment has gone awry, let’s say.
“I’m going to be here for a little while.
“I’m nil by mouth, I don’t know what’s going to happen.
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“What I wanted to say was if this is all successful, I’ll see you for season six, and if it isn’t, I won’t.
“Take care, everyone.”
Despite his diagnosis, Mr Clarkson continued working throughout 2025.
Production on the sixth series of Clarkson’s Farm is now expected to pause to allow time for his recovery.
What do you think of the latest Clarkson’s Farm series? Let us know in the comments
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