Barratt and David Wilson Homes builders in Oxfordshire revealed their top drinks and biscuits to mark National Tea Day, which falls on April 21.

Despite the UK consuming an estimated 100 million cups of tea daily, 58 per cent of survey respondents said they preferred coffee, compared to just 28 per cent who chose tea.

Chanda Chileshe, head of sales at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, said: “When important decisions need to be made, there’s no better time for a nice, hot cuppa.

“It’s not a surprise to see coffee named the beverage of choice, alongside top-tier dunkers Hobnob and Digestive.

“Whatever your drinking preference, we are always ready to put the kettle on for our customers looking for their first or next home and welcome anyone interested to visit our sales advisers for a cuppa and a chat.”

Most workers, 87 per cent, said hot water should be poured first when making a cup of tea.

A health-conscious 61 per cent preferred their drinks without sugar.

Tea and coffee remained the dominant choices, with only 14 per cent opting for alternatives like hot chocolate or herbal teas.

Chocolate Hobnobs were named the top biscuit for dunking, earning 31 per cent of the votes, narrowly beating chocolate digestives at 26 per cent.

Others gave honourable mentions to shortbread, rich tea, and cookies.

For more information about nearby developments, visit the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes websites.

A proposal submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council has revealed the former charity shop at 6 Market Place in the Cotswolds town may become a wine ‘cellar’.

Plans include adding a dark green retractable awning, a hanging street sign and new signage and lighting on the three-storey stone building.

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The text on the awning would read: “Chipping Norton Cellars, proudly independent wine merchants” along with signage promoting wine, beer, spirits and events on the shop front.

A company of the same name was incorporated on March 25 this year, according to the public register.

The planning application for the changes to the shopfront are currently under consideration with West Oxfordshire District Council, with a decision expected by May 14.

The British Business Bank has committed up to GBP £35 million to Episode 1’s Fund IV, marking its fourth investment in an Episode 1 fund.

The commitment follows earlier backing for the venture firm’s 2014 Fund I, 2018 Fund II and 2022 Fund III. Episode 1 invests in early-stage companies, primarily at the pre-seed and seed stages, with a focus on software-led UK businesses across artificial intelligence, software infrastructure, deep tech, and tech bio.

The investment forms part of the Bank’s role as a major investor in UK venture and growth capital funds. Cornerstone commitments can help funds reach a first close and attract further private sector investment.

Fund IV is expected to continue backing businesses linked to the UK’s Industrial Strategy sectors. According to the Bank, a significant majority of Episode 1’s Fund III portfolio mapped to five of the eight priority sectors: digital and technology, financial services, professional and business services, clean energy, and life sciences.

The latest commitment also reflects the Bank’s stated plan to direct more capital towards those sectors over the next five years. The institution, the UK government’s economic development bank, says its programmes support GBP £23 billion of finance for almost 64,000 smaller businesses.

Christine Hockley, Managing Director and Co-head of Funds at British Business Bank, said the programme is intended to increase the availability of capital for innovative UK businesses. “Our fund investments are designed to increase the availability of capital for innovative UK businesses, allowing them to start, scale and stay in the UK. By making a cornerstone commitment to Episode 1’s Fund IV, we are expanding the pool of capital available to support high-growth, high return innovative businesses,” she said.

Michael Laycock, Investment Director, Funds, at British Business Bank, said Episode 1 had shown a strong track record in backing early-stage UK businesses with growth potential.

“Episode 1 has a strong track record of backing early stage UK businesses with strong growth potential. Fund IV represents the fourth Episode 1 fund that we have backed and we are pleased to continue our support. Fund IV will continue to make a substantial impact supporting primarily UK based businesses operating in the Industrial Strategy sectors, further fuelling UK economic growth, by supporting promising UK businesses to scale,” Laycock said.

Early-stage focus

Episode 1 has built its investment approach around identifying and assessing software-driven start-ups at a very early stage. The firm says it uses an algorithmic method to source and evaluate companies, alongside a behavioural approach to founder selection.

Its portfolio includes businesses such as Lawhive, Carwow, Mantic and Source.dev. The latest backing from the British Business Bank gives Episode 1 additional institutional support as it looks to invest in another group of UK start-ups.

Adam Shuaib, GP at Episode 1, said the investment reflected confidence in the firm’s approach. “British Business Bank’s backing is a huge vote of confidence in what our team has built over the last decade; an early-stage fund combining proprietary algorithmic sourcing with a rigorous behavioural approach to founder selection to find incredible companies like Lawhive, Carwow, Mantic and Source.dev before others get there,” he said.

Hector Mason, GP at Episode 1, said the commitment was an encouraging sign for the firm’s strategy. “Securing backing from one of Europe’s most respected institutional investors is a strong signal that the thesis we’ve been refining over the past decade is resonating at the highest levels,” he said.