Business & Technology
25km charity walk through Oxfordshire countryside planned
Bicester-based wine importer North South Wines is organising the 25km walk, which will take place on March 26 and raise funds for Oxford mental health charity Restore and industry charity The Drinks Trust.
The route will take the team from Bicester Motion to Restore’s headquarters on Manzil Way in Oxford, passing through Morton and Beckley along the way.
Kim Wilson, managing director of North South Wines, said: “We’re really excited to bring the team together for another charity challenge. We’re supporting two incredible charities: Restore does invaluable mental health work in our community, and The Drinks Trust supports people across our industry.
“Getting outdoors and active with the team while raising funds for causes we believe in makes this challenge feel especially worthwhile.”
The walk marks the final leg of the company’s NSW 5000 challenge, a month-long effort during which colleagues across the UK have aimed to collectively cover 5,090km through various human-powered activities. By March 25, the team had already completed 4,750km, with the final charity walk expected to take them past their target.
The total distance represents a virtual journey from North South Wines’ Bicester office to its shareholder sites in Germany, Belgium, and Italy, and back again, with each participant contributing an average of around 150km throughout March.
Restore is an Oxfordshire charity that supports adults recovering from mental ill health through recovery groups, training, and employment coaching.
Beth Hendry, CEO of Restore, said: “We are incredibly grateful to North South Wines for their generosity, energy and commitment to raising both funds and awareness for Restore. At a time of growing economic uncertainty, rising living costs and increasing demand for our services, this support helps us reach more people with vital mental health services, making a real and lasting difference to lives across our community.”
The Drinks Trust is a trade charity that offers wellbeing, financial, and career support to people throughout the drinks industry.
Nicky Burston, CEO of The Drinks Trust, said: “We are so grateful to the North South Wines team for choosing to support us through such an inspiring challenge.
“The funds raised will make a real and lasting difference to thousands of colleagues across our industry who are facing hardship. Thank you so much for your generous support.”
North South Wines, founded in 2014, is part-owned by three international wineries and became the first wine distributor to achieve B Corp certification in 2023.
Dalcour Maclaren, a specialist in utilities and infrastructure, announced the news on June 22, following a detailed assessment of its operations, including governance, employee wellbeing, environmental impact, and social responsibility.
James Neil, CEO of Dalcour Maclaren, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Dalcour Maclaren.
“B Corp status gives us the official badge that recognises everything that matters most to us in our culture, our values, and how we make decisions for our people and our clients. We thrive on doing things differently at DM and B Corp absolutely endorses this.”
The certification means the company meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Dalcour Maclaren now joins more than 10,000 B Corps worldwide and over 2,600 in the UK, including well-known names such as The Guardian, Innocent Drinks, Patagonia, and The Big Issue.
Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK, said: “Welcoming Dalcour Maclaren to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit.”
Dalcour Maclaren operates across the UK and Ireland, supporting major projects in energy, water, transport, and digital infrastructure. The company’s services include land, planning, environment, stakeholder engagement, and geospatial services.
South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet will consider a targeted, one-off reduction in business rates in July, aimed at easing pressure on pubs across the district.
The move follows growing concern that many venues are struggling with rising costs despite their importance as community hubs, rural assets and employers.
Cllr Pieter-Paul Barker, Cabinet Member for Finance and Property Assets, said: “Everyone knows that pubs are experiencing significant financial pressures.
“These venues play an important role in the economy and are vital for ensuring a thriving local community.
“We’re carefully considering how best to provide targeted support for pubs in South Oxfordshire which will both help to strengthen our local and rural economy and safeguard employment in our hospitality sector.”
Council leader Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers said: “While this support can’t fix everything, it’s a step in the right direction.
“We’re staying focused on collaborating with our local pubs and partners to provide the practical support and guidance they need right now.”
Details of the proposed business rates support are set out in a report to cabinet on July 2, when a decision is due to be made.
The popular shopping centre in Oxford’s Queen Street already has an exciting mix of shops on offer, from first-class dining options to familiar high street favourites and world-renowned brands.
Now, the Westgate has welcomed the latest addition to its retail offering, as David Clulow opticians opened on Friday, June 26.
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The eye health specialist store showcases the brand’s modernised retail format, with state-of-the-art testing rooms and improved accessibility.
It’s broad product range also includes designer frames from the likes of Chanel, Prada and Ray-Ban.
The store is the latest edition to David Clulow’s store collection which is hosted in nearly 30 cities and shopping centres across the UK.
The introduction of the new shop is the latest in a long line of recent Westgate comings and goings in recent months.
Shoe chain Russell & Bromley has departed its ground-floor store, leaving the unit empty, after the brand fell into administration.
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Similarly, Claire’s has also closed at the Westgate after the beauty and accessory brand also collapsed into administration.
Last month, the new Lego store opened on the ground floor of the centre, welcoming queues of shoppers at its grand opening event.
Oliver Bonas also recently moved from its home on the ground floor to a much larger unit on the middle floor, near the Queen Street and Bonn Square entrance.
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