Donna Ford, an independent councillor for Bicester East, has launched a petition over growing concerns about the deteriorating condition of the Sainsbury’s store and the area outside in Pioneer Square Bure Place.

The petition has received more than 160 signatures.

She is calling on Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s to personally visit the store and commit to a comprehensive fix plan.

She says it is “disheartening to see a prominent establishment lagging in providing high-quality services”.

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She said: “Our local Sainsbury’s plays a crucial role in our community, serving countless families who depend on it for their daily shopping needs.

“Unfortunately, over time, the condition of the store has deteriorated significantly, affecting both the shopping experience and the store’s contribution to the community’s image.”

Rubbish outside of Sainsbury’s in Bicester (Image: Donna Ford)

By Mr Roberts visiting the store in-person, he will be able to witness first-hand the obstacles the community faces.

His intervention, working alongside staff and local leaders to draft a realistic and impactful plan for improvement, could pave the way for transformative change.

Ms Ford added: “Our local Sainsbury’s plays a crucial role in our community, serving countless families who depend on it for their daily shopping needs.

“Bicester deserves a store that mirrors the vibrancy and pride of our town.

“A revitalized Sainsbury’s would not only uplift the spirits of its dedicated customers but also attract new visitors, contributing positively to Bicester’s growth and economy.”

Sainsbury’s has been contacted for comment.

Tenzo has appointed Jane O’Riordan as Chair of the Board, adding a senior hospitality executive to its leadership team.

O’Riordan brings more than 25 years of industry experience, including roles at Nando’s, Pizza Express and Gourmet Burger Kitchen. She currently chairs Caravan Restaurants and Red Engine, the parent company of Flight Club Darts and Electric Shuffle, and previously served as Chair of Turtle Bay.

Her appointment comes as hospitality operators face sustained pressure on margins and staffing. Tenzo sells a data and analytics platform that helps multi-site restaurant and hospitality groups track live sales, labour, inventory, reservations and guest information in one system.

The role will focus on supporting long-term strategy and governance as Tenzo looks to expand further in the UK and overseas. Founded in 2016 by Christian Mouysset and Adam Taylor, the company aims to give restaurant operators a real-time view of performance rather than relying on historical reporting.

Sector experience

O’Riordan also chairs the UK Hospitality Sector Council’s Innovation Working Group, giving her a broader role in industry discussions on change and modernisation. Her career has spanned board and operating positions across restaurant and leisure brands, making her a well-known figure in the UK’s casual dining market.

That background is likely to be relevant for a company serving a sector grappling with rising costs, labour shortages and weaker consumer spending. Operators are under pressure to improve decision-making at site level while managing wage bills, stock levels and customer demand more precisely.

In comments released alongside the appointment, O’Riordan linked those pressures to the need for real-time information in restaurant operations.

“I have always believed data should empower operators, not overwhelm them. This is what excites me about Tenzo. The team has built a platform with real impact, helping hospitality businesses become smarter, more resilient and more profitable at a time when the industry needs it most.

“With margins under pressure and labour challenges continuing, Tenzo is giving operators an opportunity to turn real-time data into confident, decisive action. I am excited to help scale Tenzo’s vision responsibly, both in the UK and internationally,” O’Riordan said.

Company focus

Tenzo operates in a crowded hospitality software market, where restaurants increasingly rely on a mix of point-of-sale systems, labour scheduling tools, booking platforms and customer feedback products. Companies in this market are trying to reduce the fragmentation that leaves operators switching between separate systems to understand daily trading.

Tenzo’s approach is to combine those data sources into a single operational view, allowing managers to respond more quickly to issues such as staffing levels, sales trends and cost control.

Mouysset said O’Riordan’s experience as a chair and her understanding of the restaurant market were key factors in the appointment.

“Jane’s appointment marks an exciting time for the business. As Tenzo approaches its next stage of growth, Jane will be influential not only because of her outstanding Chair experience leading fast-growth brands, but also because of her deep, hands-on understanding of the hospitality industry today.”

“Jane is aligned with our customer-obsessed mindset and belief in constant experimentation, as well as our view of Tenzo. Like us, she sees Tenzo as the glue that holds together the hospitality technology stack, helping orchestrate and democratise access to data for all operators,” Mouysset said.

The appointment also reflects a wider trend of hospitality technology companies seeking board members with direct operating experience in restaurants and leisure. As cost pressures persist across the sector, software vendors are increasingly expected to show not just technical expertise but also a clear understanding of how site managers and senior operators make day-to-day decisions.

For Tenzo, bringing in a chair with experience across both established restaurant chains and newer leisure formats gives the board exposure to different operating models across the market.

The eighth annual Really Amazing Awards, hosted by Oxford Bus Group at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, brought together employees from Oxford Bus Company, Carousel Buses, Pulhams, Thames Travel and City Sightseeing Oxford.

The evening, full of laughter from stand-up comedian Ivo Graham, shone a spotlight on individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond in their roles.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Group, said: “It was wonderful to spend the evening together and celebrate the people who have delivered really amazing work across the business.

“We also recognised our colleagues who have given a significant number of years’ service to the company.

“They should all be proud of their achievements and role in providing an excellent service to our valued passengers.”

Long service was a central theme of the night, with eight colleagues recognised for a combined 235 years of dedication.

Oxford Bus Company mechanic Craig Evans and facilities manager Andy Seeney were both honoured for 40 years of service.

Several awards were given out on the night, most of which were based on staff nominations.

The gold award in the Star of the Year category went to airline driver Barry Duke, who has recently been on secondment at Thames Travel as operations and control co-ordinator.

The silver award was presented to tour guide Lesley Sammons, whose efforts helped City Sightseeing Oxford earn the title of ‘Worldwide Operator of the Year’, while Pulhams touring coach driver Justin Howell received the bronze award.

Oxford Bus Company’s CCTV team – comprising Steve Williams, Kyle Norburn, Sam De Gouveia and Paul Versey – won the A-Team award for their improvements to the company’s video systems.

Carousel’s High Wycombe depot was named Depot of the Year, thanks in part to its new VIP Bus Driver Academy, upgraded facilities and planned service expansions for 2025.

Alex Knox was named Manager of the Year after stepping up to become assistant operations manager at Oxford Bus Company in 2025, while Lorna Earp received the Unsung Hero award for her behind-the-scenes work maintaining vehicles and facilities at Pulhams’ Cheltenham depot.

The Rising Star award went to Paul Versey, who has retrained and contributed in several roles across the group, including as an engineer at Pulhams.

Other honourees included Thames Travel’s Kenny Hawkins, named Engineer of the Year, and Carousel controller Sam Edmondson, who won the Above and Beyond award.

Long-serving staff recognised on the night included airline driver Gilbert Rae, who marked 30 years with the business.