Residents living in the north Oxfordshire town voiced their woes on the social media community group ‘Bicester General Chat’.

While there was praise for some ‘great’ local Royal Mail posties, others weren’t so happy with the ‘useless’ service they were receiving.

The general consensus is that while post, including letters and parcels, are being delivered, residents receive them later than expected and/or all in one go.

Complaints were raised about post being delivered damaged, being ‘lost’ and others missing important hospital appointments.

Some said despite making complaints and escalating further, they do not receive an update.

Bicester residents take to social media to raise complaints about ‘useless’ Royal Mail postal service (Image: Getty Images)

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We know how important it is for people to receive their post reliably, especially when it contains personal, financial or medical information.

“We take concerns about delays seriously and any customer experiencing a specific issue with their mail should contact our customer services team so it can be looked into.

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“Improving quality of service is our top priority. Nationally, around 92 per cent of letters are currently arriving on time and over 99 per cent within a week, but we know there is more to do to deliver the reliable service customers expect.

“That is why we are making changes through our new delivery model, backed by our improvement plan, to improve reliability for customers across the UK.”

A target of 93 per cent is set for the postal company to deliver first class mail to be received within one working day.

But in Oxfordshire, the Royal Mail is hitting just 67.2 per cent, Liberal Democrat Witney MP Charlie Maynard revealed earlier this year.

This is below the Royal Mail’s claim of delivering 76.3 per cent of first class mail within one day across the UK for the year to March 2025.

Mr Maynard said that in his Witney constituency, people are even missing medical appointments because of late postal deliveries.

In May, services in Bicester (OX25 – OX27) saw delays “temporarily” due to sick absence, resourcing or other “local factors”, the Royal Mail said.

A spokesman said at the time: “In those cases, we will rotate deliveries to minimise the delay to individual customers.

“We also provide targeted support to those offices to address their challenges and restore our service to the high standard our customers would normally receive.”

Last year, the Royal Mail was taken over by International Distribution Services by Czech billionaire businessman Daniel Kretinsky’s IP Group in a £3.6 billion deal.

SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Sound Devices has introduced the Astral Mini Plus wireless transmitter pack as part of its Astral Wireless range.

Aimed at touring, live theatre and fixed-installation work, the device keeps the compact form factor of earlier Astral transmitters while adding longer battery life, a wider tuning range and water resistance.

Astral Mini Plus offers more than eight hours of battery life and a tuning range of 169-1525 MHz. It also carries an IP67 water-resistance rating, meaning it is designed to withstand dust and temporary immersion.

Alongside the hardware launch, Sound Devices has updated the broader Astral Wireless line with V8.30 firmware. The update adds SoundBase integration to AstralComm and introduces routing changes across the range.

According to Sound Devices, the SoundBase link is intended to give audio engineers a more direct way to monitor and adjust wireless devices during RF coordination. Functions include changing frequencies, renaming transmitters and keeping key operating information visible.

Broader range

The release expands a portfolio that Sound Devices markets to sound professionals working in film, television, live events, houses of worship and education. The company designs, assembles and supports its products from its headquarters in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and offices in Madison, Wisconsin, and Rickmansworth, UK.

The new transmitter arrives as wireless audio suppliers continue to adapt products to shifting spectrum conditions and varied venue requirements. In that context, tuning flexibility and software control have become more prominent selling points for manufacturers serving touring crews, theatre operators and systems integrators.

Sound Devices said the new model was designed to improve usability and shorten setup times. It said the updated firmware is intended to simplify operation across the Astral range by giving engineers more flexible routing options.

Matt Anderson, Chief Executive Officer at Sound Devices, commented on the launch and the software update.

“Astral Wireless is the most full-featured wireless toolkit on the market, designed to meet the ever-changing needs of a rapidly evolving RF landscape,” said Matt Anderson, Chief Executive Officer at Sound Devices.

“The launch of Astral Mini Plus, along with continued firmware development and deeper software integrations, reflects our commitment to this constant evolution and our desire to provide high-quality solutions that reflect the day-to-day realities of the most demanding RF professionals,” Anderson said.

The launch reflects a wider trend in professional audio towards combining hardware improvements with deeper software integration.

As productions become more complex and spectrum management challenges increase, manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on tools that simplify wireless coordination and device monitoring. The addition of SoundBase integration is expected to appeal to engineers managing large-scale deployments where visibility and control are critical. Extended battery life and expanded tuning capabilities may also help reduce operational interruptions in demanding live and broadcast environments.

With the latest hardware and firmware updates, Sound Devices is continuing to position Astral Wireless as a comprehensive platform for professional RF applications.

Louisiana-born chicken brand Raising Cane’s is setting up shop on Coventry Street in the heart of London, between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square.

Although no official opening date has been announced, branded hoardings have now appeared at the site, signalling that the long-awaited launch is edging closer.

The chain, loved by celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Post Malone and Halle Berry, opened its first store in 1996, and as it approaches 30 years in business, is coming to the UK for the first time.

US fast food chain Raising Cane’s set to open its first UK restaurant

The chain has already developed a UK-focused menu featuring both take-out and dine-in meal options, as well as customisable chicken finger combos.

Unlike many competitors, Raising Cane’s keeps its menu simple, offering chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and its signature Cane’s Sauce.

The sauce, described by fans as “next level,” is a particular point of excitement among British diners, who have shared their enthusiasm online.

One food lover wrote: “Omg I absolutely love Raising Cane’s.”

Another said: “Had this in Vegas.

“It was so good.

“Definitely on a par with Slim Chickens imo.”

A third added: “The sauce is next level.

“I will travel just for that.”

The company is reportedly exploring additional central London locations, including Oxford Circus, Paddington, South Bank, and The Strand, as well as potential drive-thru sites across Greater London.

The London restaurant will be the starting point for the brand’s wider European rollout.

US fast food chain rivalling McDonald’s coming back to UK after 17 years

Raising Cane’s is the latest in a wave of US fast-food brands expanding into the UK market.

Recent arrivals include Popeyes, while Dave’s Hot Chicken and Chick-fil-A have also announced UK expansion plans.

Chili’s Grill & Bar is also looking to come back to the UK after more than 15 years, with hopes of eventually opening more than 100 restaurants across the country.

The chain originally arrived in Britain during the 1990s and operated restaurants in places including Cambridge, Reading and London’s Canary Wharf, but by 2009, every UK branch had closed.

Now, the company is making a fresh attempt at cracking the UK market, aiming to open a flagship restaurant within the next 12 to 18 months before it aims to roll out more sites, reports Need To Know.

Industry insiders say they believe the chain could open between 85 and 100 restaurants if successful, with potential locations including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, and Liverpool.

The Tex-Mex chain is well-known in the US for its burgers, ribs, fajitas, and margaritas.

What US restaurant or fast food chain would you most like to see come to the UK?