Staff at Shrivenham’s Post Office, originally based at 32 High Street, bid farewell to the building after owners Mathew and Sarah shut their doors after 16 years.

But residents with parcels and letters to send didn’t have to wait long as the post office was just changing address.

The opening of the post office, now based at the former Lloyds Bank building on the High Street, was marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony with local MP, Charlie Maynard, and a Post Office Chief Executive.

Charlie Maynard, MP for Witney, said: “Delighted to officially open the new Shrivenham Post Office.

It was a pleasure to cut the ribbon at the new home of Shrivenham Post Office, which has moved into the former Lloyds Bank building on the High Street.

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The post office in its former building at 32 High Street (Image: Google Maps)

“Congratulations to Sarah and Matthew Thorne, whose dedication and hard work have helped the Post Office grow into a thriving hub for the village. Their new premises provide much more space to meet increasing demand for parcel services, everyday banking, and a wider range of retail products.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see a former bank building brought back into use in a way that continues to serve the community.

“With no banks left in the village, the Post Office plays an essential role, providing access to banking services for residents and local businesses alike.

“Wishing Sarah, Matthew and the whole team every success in their fantastic new premises.

“Here’s to many more years of serving the Shrivenham community.”

The reopning of the village’s post office comes after the closure of Chalgrove Post Office in January, after 24 years, and the recent closure of the East Hagbourne Post Office counter, which has prompted significant community concerns and calls for the Post Office to reconsider its decision.

The business stopped trading earlier this year in January after more than 30 years in business.

Holidays were cancelled when the business folded.

And then the directors of Gold Crest Holidays put the bust company into voluntary liquidation.

Statement of affairs submitted to Companies House reveal debts of £927k, including £102k to ABTA and £63k to American Express.

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The company specialised in coach packages to Disneyland Paris, European city breaks and major sporting events, as well as UK short breaks and themed holidays.

Its advertised itineraries included countryside and heritage tours with excursions to areas such as the Cotswolds, alongside seaside breaks and city stays.

A notice to customers says all future departures have been cancelled and the business has stopped trading with immediate effect.

Travel industry body ABTA is treating Gold Crest as a financial failure and has confirmed that customers with package bookings protected by its scheme can claim refunds for holidays that will not go ahead.

Reports say the collapse affects coach holidays booked through both travel agents and direct with the company, covering trips in the UK and overseas throughout 2026.

Gold Crest’s liquidation comes amid a series of failures involving UK travel businesses, with Oxfordshire Travel Limited also in liquidation.

Industry commentators have pointed to rising operating costs, pressure on household budgets and tighter margins in the coach and package holiday sector as factors behind the recent wave of insolvencies.

For Gold Crest customers who had booked Cotswolds or countryside itineraries as part of a coach package, the liquidation means holidays will not take place, and passengers will need to seek refunds or rebook with alternative operators.

With creditors withholding further funding until the incoming government clarifies its stance, Thames Water said its finances are projected to last until November.

The incoming government’s view will determine the provision of more funds by the creditors, leaving the water company, which serves around 16 million customers, anxiously awaiting their rescue.

Currently, Thames Water has a £1.1bn reserve, but time is ticking as it races to secure additional funding.

The group of creditors, angling to assume control of Thames Water, had a rescue package previously dismissed by environment secretary Emma Reynolds in June.

This package intended to eventually list the utility company on the London Stock Exchange.

Now, this proposal is left in limbo as creditors await the new government’s next move.

Despite Thames chief executive, Chris Weston, stating that creditors are willing to offer additional funding to prevent the company from hitting a cash wall, they are holding back until they get clear guidance from the government on their future approach.

Burnham has previously called for more public oversight of the long-criticised water sector, even suggesting potential nationalisation.

However, whether he will dismiss a private sector-led remedy for Thames Water or opt to place it under temporary government control is currently unspecified.

The announcement came alongside the release of Thames Water’s annual results, showing it achieved just 55 per cent of its regulated targets.

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Currently, Thames Water has a £1.1bn reserve, but time is ticking as it races to secure additional funding. (Image: Newsquest)

Moreover, an increase of 101 per cent in customer billing complaints was reported.

The company made it clear in its annual accounts that its cash reserves would dry up in the fourth quarter of the year.

This financial crisis points towards Thames Water potentially entering a Special Administration Regime, which could set the stage for nationalisation under a government led by Mr Burnham.

Burnham’s anticipated role in Thames Water’s future has received significant attention, underlining his potential influence over the future of the more significant water industry, which is under scrutiny for potential upgrades, including pipes and storm drains.

Meanwhile, Thames said it had proposals for an £800m up front payment in place to avert years of crippling penalties.

The results statement showed a reduction in total pollution incidents in the past year, falling from 470 to 386.

Unfortunately, even so, Thames fell short of its targets in several other categories, including leakage rates and supply interruptions.

This has led to anticipation of further fines, with a forecasted 40% rise in penalties for failing to meet pollution obligations, in spite of the reduced number of incidents.

The figure was likely driven by increases allowed by industry regulator Ofwat to fund record but overdue investment in infrastructure including pipes and storm drains.

As Thames Water clings to life with a limited reservoir of funds, all eyes are now on incoming prime minister Burnham’s next move.