As reported, accounts for the county council have revealed County Hall has spent £1,406,282.80 on the congestion charge to private companies since it was introduced in October.

Businesses include Portsmouth-based Modaxo Traffic Management UK, which have been given over £330,000 for processing penalty charge notices.

Meanwhile, Exeter-based Unity Five Ltd have been given nearly £100,000 for its permit management software.

READ MORE: £1.4m given to private companies for Oxford congestion charge

And the Oxford Bus Company was handed nearly £1m in reimbursements to fund the free park and ride bus travel offer.

Driver Stu Hill said: “This is totally wrong. Private companies should net be benefiting. It should be helping to improve systems for the public.”

Meanwhile resident Richard Smith claimed the congestion charge is “more anti vehicle rules” by the council.

“This will kill shops and shopping centres and have an impact on jobs not just in the shops,” he added.

“Have Oxford put in a park and ride system? Does allow shopping trolleys?”

Resident Marcus Flynn said: “What’s interesting is always how councils pass our taxes into private hands.”

Most drivers argued the money could be well spent on other pressing issues across the county.

Liz Brookes said: “Well let’s have some spent on the roads around Oxford they are in a dreadful state… please can this be done before there is a fatal accident?”

While Denise Driver added: “What about spending this money on repairing the potholes in Oxford, the roads are terrible and dangerous.”

Although some drivers argued the millions in spending is worth it given the costs of operating the congestion charge.

Peter Bowyer said: “Nobody ‘gave’ private companies the money – they tendered and were awarded a contract, delivered a service and were paid for it.”

Oxfordshire County Council is expected to generate a £5.2m surplus from the controversial £5 daily charge to drive through six streets in the city.

Roads include Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement’s Street, Thames Street, Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way.

It comes as 70 per cent of businesses in Oxford say the congestion charge has had no effect, or a positive effect on their business, and 30 per cent report a negative effect.

The results, found in a survey commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council, also found hospitality say it is the hardest hit by the daily £5 fee.

Suburban businesses, particularly those with a shopfront, were significantly less positive than city centre businesses.

Spend data shows year-on-year declines in consumer spending across the city, in line with national trends

Witney Music Festival was back on The Leys Recreation Ground for the culmination of it’s two-week arts programme showcasing the ‘amazing’ talent of the town’s musicians.

The green space was transformed into a festival on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, when a ‘mighty’ line up including the likes of Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Sandi Thom, Ava Joe and Henge brought the house down.

Sandi Thom performing at Witney Music Festival (Image: Ed Nix)

READ MORE: Oxford congestion charge hits hospitality hardest, survey shows

It also saw a hugely popular dance tent and a brand new live comedy night in collaboration with Lone Wolf Comedy Club.

Having ‘smashed’ the big two-decade anniversary, organisers of the festival are already looking ahead to next year.

The crowds at Witney Music Festival (Image: Ed Nix)

A statement released by Witney Music Festival said: “Hot off the heels of Witney Music Festival 26- we are now already thinking about next year… and next year, Witney Music Festival turns 21. So we’re starting early.

“A busy bar and a full field make it look like our little festival is a money-spinner. The truth is the opposite.

“Witney Music Festival is a not-for-profit, we’ve never made money, and most years we run at a loss.

The crowds at Witney Music Festival (Image: Ed Nix)

“We keep prices as low as we can because putting on the event matters more than the balance sheet.

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“Festivals are vanishing everywhere, more than 200 lost in the UK since 2019, and the ones still standing survive because their towns turn out for them.

“That’s where you come in. We need Witney behind us, and every ticket you buy helps keep this festival alive.”

Super early bird tickets have already been released for the festival to be held next year, with just 500 spots available at £10 Saturday entry plus a booking fee.

Boutique hotel group Crazy Bear kicked off the summer social season in style, hosting a private party until the early hours to mark a new era.

Former The Xtra Factor presenter, comedian Matt Richardson, was one of the performers on the night.

Hundreds of guests packed the venue and were treated to acts including festival favourites The Cuban Brothers, and a dance-off led by leading Latin dancers Ksenia Zsikhotska and Krystof Grzelak.

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The party earlier this month marked the launch of a new Crazy Bear menu and cocktail range coming soon, plus refurbishment of some of the heritage venue’s indoor and outdoor spaces.

Throughout the night, party goers enjoyed dishes from the refreshed menu, which couple traditional pub food with sumptuous Thai flavours.

Party goers at the Crazy Bear hotel in Stadhampton (Image: Fortitude Communications)

The Cuban Brothers unleashed a mix of funk-fuelled epic dance moves, while Matt Richardson took a break from his national tour with a bespoke version of his celebrated stand-up routine.

Sol Collective, one of London’s leading Latin ensembles, joined the line-up with two fresh, inspiring live acoustic sets on the garden terrace.

The Sol Collective play at the Crazy Bear hotel venue (Image: Fortitude Communications)

The innovative menu brought together classic pub mains, sizzling meats from the grill and authentic Thai wok dishes. Open fire cage cooking, a new weekend feature, included garlic butter king prawns, thyme chicken thighs, and garden larder salads.

Drinks flowed from the new menu, as the foraged cocktail range featuring hedgerow negroni and roasted dandelion espresso martini, was in popular demand.

The dancefloor at the Crazy Bear hotel venue (Image: Fortitude Communications)

A feast featuring handmade afternoon tea favourites piled high kept the party going in the new residents’ lounge, which hosted a bespoke feasting table, vinyl record player and cocktail trolley.

Lauren Thompson, who has a weekly set on House FM and has played legendary club nights for Groove Odyssey and Fabric, took to the decks, followed by resident DJ Tony Nanton, who kept the tempo with a house music set in the Glasshouse.

Guests also enjoyed an outdoor cinema screening of Pulp Fiction, while a set of prizes were won through hook-a-duck on the lawn.

“The party provided the perfect moment to unveil our refreshed experience which captures the Crazy Bear’s spirit with a contemporary twist,” said Jen Needham, marketing director at the Crazy Bear.

“Every guest was treated to the exceptional hospitality set to become synonymous with the Crazy Bear.

“Party goers were led through a rabbit warren of intrigue spanning musical genres, leafy tropical hideaways and wild entertainment while being among the first to sample our exceptional new food and drink offering.

“Our menus and direction have changed, but the essence of the Crazy Bear remains unchanged. So, stand by for elevated dining, unforgettable parties and maverick entertainment as the next chapter unfolds.”

Founded in 1993, the Crazy Bear in Stadhampton is complete with 18 rooms, a cosy 16th century pub, an eclectic choice of indoor and outdoor spaces to eat and drink, plus secret garden and woodland.

It hosts weddings like no other and its public areas are dog friendly. Its sister site in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, has 35 individually designed bedrooms, restaurants, bar and an outdoor swimming pool.