Nisa Local, which first opened in Botley Road in November, can now be extended after a Planning Inspector overturned Oxford City Council’s rejection.

The proposal is for a steel security shutter and a single-storey rear extension, which would provide more space for new services such as an Evri and two more Cook frozen meal freezers.

The Costa Coffee self-service machine is hoped to be on the front of the shop and will provide more floor space for Bake & Bite and the Oxford-based Natural Bread Company.

Oxford City Council refused permission in March arguing the extension would harm the character and appearance of the property.

Aejal Patel, Nisa manager (Image: Ben Hardy)

However, planning inspector Alexander O’Doherty concluded the impact on the wider area would be limited because the extension would be largely hidden at the rear from public view.

In his decision issued on July 23, the inspector acknowledged that the extension would have some harmful effect on the appearance of the building itself, but said the benefits outweighed that harm.

The inspector noted the shop is “clearly lacking in storage space” and said the additional floor area would help it better serve local residents.

The decision also referenced numerous representations from supporters, with the inspector saying these lent “considerable credence” to the benefits of the scheme.

He added that providing these services within a residential area would encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport by reducing the need for residents to travel elsewhere by car.

Grumpys Sweet Shop in Fettiplace Road, which operated as a cafe and collectibles shop until it became a sweet shop in 2023, has announced it will close by the end of August.

A statement from the team behind the shop said the ‘difficult decision’ was taken with a ‘heavy heart’.

The final day trading would be Friday, August 28.

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The statement said: “This hasn’t been a decision we’ve taken lightly.

“Like so many families and small businesses, we’ve felt the impact of the rising cost of living, and the increasing costs of running a business have made things more challenging than ever.

Sweets (stock photo) (Image: Timm Bursch / Unsplash)

“On top of that, our current lease has came to an end.

“Renewing it would mean committing to another seven years, and after a great deal of thought, we’ve decided that this is the right time for us to close this chapter.

“While we’re incredibly sad to say goodbye, we’d love to see as many of you as possible before we close.

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“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for making Grumpy’s Sweet Shop so much more than just a business.

“You turned it into a place filled with smiles, laughter, and wonderful memories that we’ll treasure forever.”

The owners added that ‘everything you see in the shop’ is now for sale, and offers will be considered for all fittings and displays.

The dispute that halted the much-anticipated introduction of new trains to Milton Keynes looked to be coming to be coming to an end.

The Government has been pushing for ‘Driver-Controlled’ or ‘Driver-Only Operation’—a cost-saving method introduced widely on London commuter lines in the 1980s, a move widely condemned by trade unions.

The Department for Transport’s (DfT) plan for trains to be staffed by a driver and a customer service inspector seemed to solve the dispute.

But this did not meet the The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)’s demands.

The union has been opposing plans to use driver-only trains between Oxford and Milton Keynes Central.

Although the line between Bicester and Bletchley has technically been open since 2024, it has only been used by freight, charter, and test trains.

Chiltern Railways was chosen as the operator and has been advertising for customer service inspectors, instead of guards.

However, these inspectors would not be considered ‘safety-critical,’ meaning the driver would be responsible for opening and closing the doors.

Chiltern Railways stated it has made significant progress in preparing for the line to open to scheduled passenger trains, but no date has been announced.

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East West Rail Action Group protesting outside Bletchley station (Image: Diana Blamires)

The company said it is continuing to work closely with the The Department for Transport, trade unions, and industry partners.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers general secretary Eddie Dempsey insisted on the necessity of a guaranteed safety-critical second person aboard trains, citing their essential role in handling a wide range of duties and responding appropriately to ‘dangerous and fast-moving’ situations.

He said: “We need a clear commitment from Chiltern that East West Rail services will not be Driver Only Operation and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be guaranteed.”

Chiltern Railways is set to be renationalised on September 20, when it will be taken over by DfT Operator in preparation for Great British Railways.

45 drivers have been recruited for the new service, but no guards.

The project delays have already taken a significant financial toll.

Six two-carriage trains have accumulated £2.6m in costs due to delays in their lease.

Currently idle in a Bletchley depot, these units are costing the Department for Transport money without generating any fare income.

The Government previously said trains from Oxford to Milton Keynes are being lined up to appear in the December rail timetable.

In a written statement, rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “Chiltern worked with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and other operators on the December 2026 timetable and services have been timetabled between Oxford, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes.”