Business & Technology
Fears for Oxfordshire independents after businesses shut
Two independents in west Oxfordshire have announced they are closing permanently in recent weeks including Cotswold Woollen Weavers in Filkins (operating for 44 years) and Junction Hair & Beauty, the salon in Corn Street, Witney (operating for 46 years).
These latest closures follow a number of other businesses shutting in the area across 2026 such as Pretend Supply Co, a clothes shop based at Witney market square, and Homely Furniture 2 Go, a family-run enterprise in Minster Lovell.
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In separate statements both the Cotswolds Woollen Weavers and Junction Hair & Beauty cited increased costs.
Richard Martin outside the Blanket Hall in Witney (Image: NQ)
Richard Martin, who runs the Cotswolds shop, which will continue to operate from Huddersfield, said they stopped weaving there five years ago, in part because of an absence of skills.
“Any of the weavers,” the 73-year-old said, “you bring down from West Yorkshire or Wales just can’t afford the house prices here in the Cotswolds – they’re two or three times the price as over there”.
The family behind Homely Furniture 2 Go in Minster Lovell (Image: Contributed)
Meanwhile Samantha Smith, the co-owner of Junction Hair & Beauty, said that the cost of opening a new salon is “not viable” considering electrics, plumbing and other work.
The hairdresser will close in August after the family that owns the building decided to sell the property.
The team at Junction Hair & Beauty in Witney (Image: Samantha Smith)
West Oxfordshire District Council said it is committed to supporting local businesses, offering advice and support, and signposting funding and grant opportunities.
A spokesperson said: “We recognise that many businesses are facing significant pressures from rising costs and wider economic challenges, and understand the concern when long-established local businesses close.”
Witney and District Chamber of Commerce chair Adrian Bullock (Image: Witney and District Chamber of Commerce)
Meanwhile, The Witney Chamber of Commerce said retail occupation levels in the town were holding up well. However, Adrian Bullock, chair of the group, acknowledged there are challenges.
“The bigger picture does see far more pressure on business,” he said, citing rising utility costs and insurance prices, and changing National Insurance and minimum wage rates.
He added: “The cost increases and squeeze on profit margins is obviously easier for larger brands to manage than it is for independents, so it is quite possible there is a small change in emphasis between independents and brands.”
Councillor Ted Fenton (Image: Bampton Parish Council)
As such, he called for more small business grants to help independents and said that the chamber would continue to push its marketing of the town, a project for which it is looking for partners.
READ MORE: Unique Cotswolds shop announces ‘heavy discounts’ amid imminent closure
Councillor Ted Fenton, whose ward includes the Cotswolds Woollen Weavers, was “very sad” to hear the store is closing and said that if we want to retain these independents we have to visit them.
The Conservative said: “Take time to visit places, handle or try on the goods before we buy rather than rely on the ever-increasing fleet of vans both delivering goods and returning the unwanted items.
“Life is fast and furious at times but if we want to maintain a certain quality, we must force ourselves to slow down more often.”
Business & Technology
Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students
Celebrating both GCSE and A-Level Results Days, the chain will offer the popular dish to students who buy one of its bubble teas.
The free offer is available at all 42 Rosa’s Thai restaurants across England and Wales.
To avail of the free noodles, students need to register on Rosa’s Thai website for a unique code, which they should present at the restaurant together with a copy of their results.
Rosa’s Thai has a new range of bubble tea flavours, including Ube-Taro, Matcha-Coconut, Mango Sticky Rice, and Milo Chocolate Milk, as well as favourites like Home-brewed Thai Tea with Tapioca, and Lychee Mango with mango boba.
Students can sign up for their free Pad Thai at rosasthai.com/result-day-free-pad-thai and find their nearest restaurant at rosasthai.com/locations.
Business & Technology
Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years
The London Mint Office, which distributes commemorative coins and medals, appointed administrators on July 31 after 20 years in business.
The company’s website now displays a message confirming the appointment of Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP as joint administrators.
A spokesman for Alvarez and Marsal said: “On July 31 2026, Michael Magnay and Jonny Marston of Alvarez & Marsal Europe LLP were appointed as Joint Administrators of The London Mint Office Limited in administration (the “Company”).
“Regrettably, the Company’s liquidity challenges have led to a number of immediate redundancies. We are supporting the affected employees through the redundancy process.
What Happens When a Company Goes Into Administration?
“The affairs, business and property of the Company are being managed by the Joint Administrators who act as agents of the Company and without personal liability.”
The announcement confirms that it is no longer possible to purchase coins or medals through the company’s website.
The London Mint Office operates a distribution centre in Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, where it employs a significant number of people.
Administration is a formal insolvency process triggered when a business cannot meet its financial obligations.
An insolvency practitioner is appointed to manage the company’s affairs and may attempt to restructure the business or sell off assets to repay creditors.
What happens when a company goes into Liquidation?
Founded in 2006, The London Mint Office describes itself as “one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of historic, commemorative, and collector coins.”
It is part of Samlerhuset AS, a Norwegian company based near Oslo and one of Europe’s largest distributors of commemorative coins and medals.
Samlerhuset’s website states that it offers “provide a wide range of coins from ancient to modern, originating from virtually every country in the world.”
The London Mint Office has advised anyone with an interest in the company’s assets to contact the administrators at INS_THLMOL@alvarezandmarsal.com.
Business & Technology
Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally decided that both discounters should be added to the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010, which currently applies to Asda, Co-op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.
This order is designed to prevent large grocery retailers from using land agreements to block competitors from opening nearby stores, often through restrictive covenants or exclusivity terms.
Juliette Enser, executive director of competition enforcement and markets at the CMA, said: “We want everyone to have the best choice of supermarket and range of prices when buying their groceries.
“To ensure this happens, we put rules in place to prevent big supermarket chains blocking rival stores from opening nearby – and now we propose applying those rules to Aldi and Lidl too.
“This is about allowing shoppers to choose where they spend their money and levelling the playing field for all major supermarkets.
“Today’s proposals are provisional and we welcome views before deciding the best way forward.”
The CMA’s review found that Aldi, Lidl GB, and Lidl NI now meet the criteria of ‘Large Grocery Retailers’ (LGRs) due to their store footprint, nationwide presence, procurement model, and the breadth of their grocery range.
Aldi and Lidl were originally excluded from the 2010 order as ‘limited assortment discounters’, offering a smaller selection of products compared to traditional supermarkets.
However, the CMA’s provisional findings indicate that this is no longer the case.
All three now operate large grocery stores, each with more than 1,000 square metres of shop floor space, and offer a full range of products, though with less category choice than some competitors.
They also purchase goods directly from suppliers through integrated wholesaling.
With the UK grocery market estimated to be worth £215 billion, Aldi and Lidl are now ranked among the top five retailers by market share.
The CMA is seeking feedback from stakeholders before reaching a final decision.
Aldi and Lidl could join the other supermarket chains later this year.
The CMA is inviting views until 5pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, and will issue its final decision in the autumn after reviewing responses.
If the discounters are included under the order, they will be prevented from using land agreements to limit competition from other supermarket chains.
The CMA aims to ensure competition across the grocery sector to give shoppers more choice and competitive pricing by removing obstacles to new store openings.
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