Bicester residents aged 60 and over are invited to a “Picnic on the Patio” party hosted by Churchill Living at its Clementine Lodge retirement development on St John’s Street.

The event will take place on Wednesday, July 22, from 2pm to 4pm and aims to celebrate community spirit while showcasing the benefits of independent living.

Guests will be treated to live music, picnic food, ice cream, cocktails, and garden games, all set in the development’s attractive communal grounds.

Caroline Haswell, senior divisional marketing manager at Churchill Living, said: “Our Summer ‘Picnic on the Patio’ Party is the perfect opportunity for local over-60s and their families to come and experience the fun and sociable lifestyle that comes with downsizing to a new Churchill apartment.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to join the party and see for themselves the wonderful friendly community atmosphere we have here.”

Attendees will also have the chance to meet residents and learn about life at Clementine Lodge, which offers one- and two-bedroom apartments designed for independent living.

Each home includes access to a communal lounge, guest suite, lodge manager, and 24-hour emergency Careline service.

Those interested in attending can reserve a spot by calling 01869 520280 or by visiting the Churchill website.

The closures form part of a plan to shut 150 stores over the next two financial years.

The British Heart Foundation described the plan as a “difficult decision” but said it was necessary to ensure its retail network remains commercially sustainable and continues to generate vital funds for life-saving research.

British Heart Foundation store to close in Abingdon

The British Heart Foundation has confirmed all the locations that will close, including Abingdon’s charity shop (36 Bury Street, OX14 3QY).

The full list of 87 British Heart Foundation charity shops set to close by March 2027 is:

The closures have been attributed to rising operating costs and changing customer habits, which have left some stores financially unviable.

They follow a detailed review of the charity’s retail estate and also include a proposed reduction in the central teams and functions that support its retail operation.

Chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, said: “Our shops mean so much to our colleagues, brilliant volunteers and communities across the UK.

“They are places where people come together to donate, shop and volunteer, helping to make a real difference to lives affected by cardiovascular disease.

“We know this will be a difficult time for our dedicated colleagues and volunteers in affected stores and emphasise our deep appreciation and gratitude for all they have done for BHF and the communities they serve.

“Like most retailers, we are facing an exceptionally challenging trading environment.

“Cardiovascular disease remains one of the UK’s biggest killers and our priority is funding research to save lives.

“We must take the difficult step to close some of our shops to sustain retail’s important contribution to funding BHF’s groundbreaking research.”

British Heart Foundation confirms healthy financial position

Despite the reduction in physical locations, the British Heart Foundation said its overall financial position remains healthy, with continuing strong performance across fundraising and legacy income.

It will continue to operate a large national network of shops and online retail channels, including eBay and its website, and evolve its retail operations in line with changing shopping and donation behaviours.

Chief commercial officer at the British Heart Foundation, Allison Swaine-Hughes, said: “Our success to date has been shaped by the dedication and contribution of our teams across the UK and this has been an incredibly difficult decision following a thorough and careful review.

“We recognise how challenging this will be especially for colleagues whose roles are affected and we are committed to supporting everyone impacted.

“We must act now to ensure a sustainable future for BHF retail.

“Change is essential so we can continue to serve communities across the UK and raise the funds that power our lifesaving research.

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“This is about protecting our mission for the long term, even when the decisions in the shorter term are hard.”

Supporters will be able to continue shopping and donating at affected locations while they remain open.

Following the closures, the charity will continue to accept donations at nearby shops, through donation points, and via its home collection services in some areas.

Online donation options will also remain in place.

What’s your favourite charity shop to visit? Let us know in the comments below.

Administrators for John Lewis of Hungerford were appointed for the bespoke kitchen and cabinet business on July 7 according to official records.

However, since then, media reports have indicated that the Oxfordshire-based company may have been saved from liquidation after a buy-out, although with redundancies.

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Founded in 1972 by John Lewis in Hungerford, Berkshire, the firm specialises in designing, kitchens and cabinetry for around the home.

Everything they make is crafted by hand and is bespoke designed to the client, with its work recognised by the industry most recently by a highly commended for the Ideal Home’s Kitchen of the Year Award 2026.

John Lewis of Hungerford in Grove (Image: Google Maps)

It has a number of showrooms, including in Hungerford, Fulham, Cobham and Grove Business Park near Wantage, where it is officially based.

One in Winchester closed recently.

In its latest accounts, to June 30, 2025, it listed creditors falling within a year of £3.8 million a rise of around £1 million from the year before.

In addition it said its average number of employees was 52 down from 64 the year previous.

In the directors’ report for those accounts, the challenges facing John Lewis of Hungerford were acknowledged.

A closed John Lewis of Hungerford showroom in Winchester (Image: Jacob Rayner)

The directors said: “The trading environment remains difficult, with fragile consumer confidence and ongoing inflationary and interest rate pressures.

“Nevertheless, the Board believes the strengthened margin profile, leaner cost base, and sustained marketing performance, position the business well for a gradual recovery in demand as market conditions stabilise.”

In addition, they said that the business is a ‘going concern’ which means they expected to stay afloat for the next 12 months.

They added: “The forecasts indicate that the Company has adequate financial resources to continue operations for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements.

“While the broader economic environment remains sensitive to interest rate movements and consumer confidence, the current trajectory indicates a recovery in the Company’s key markets.”

John Lewis of Hungerford in Hungerford (Image: Google Maps)

However, it seems the year did not go as expected, as it fell into administration earlier this month with administrators from bk plus limited appointed.

Kbbreview has quoted the administrators who said that margins were eroded due to the “costs of manufacturing” and the “continued cost of living crisis”.

READ MORE: VAT blamed as international private school’s Oxford site listed for sale

The news title further reported that part of the business has been saved, being taken over by Rebecca Taylor Associates Limited through a pre-pack administration deal.

This is where the sales of an insolvent company’s business and assets is arranged before the appointment of an administrator and then completed after they are appointed.

The director of Rebecca Taylor Associates Limited is also the director of John Lewis of Hungerford, and the rescue deal should allow the company to continue operations.

Although this has safeguarded 22 jobs, reportedly 21 people have been made redundant during the administration.