Olly Glover, representative for Didcot and Wantage, has called for reform to the business rates system and for ‘independent shop zones’ to be implemented as he highlighted growing pressures on small businesses.

His intervention comes the same week as Oxfordshire County Council launched a controversial new plan for Wantage Market Place which would see car parking spaces removed, bus stops improved and new pedestrianised areas created.

READ MORE: Urgent business meeting called amid Oxfordshire town’s market place plan

The aim of these changes – which are only partially funded – is to create a “vibrant, welcoming and accessible space for everyone” and to encourage sustainable transport.

In addition, the council said the proposals will “support local businesses by promoting tourism, and encouraging local people to visit more often and stay for longer”.

New plans have recently been revealed for Wantage Market Place (Image: Supplied)

However, they have not been universally welcomed with members of the town concerned at the loss of parking, although the council says there are options nearby.

In addition, these changes come as businesses in Wantage say they are facing an increasingly challenging landscape.

In recent months women’s clothing store New Look, off Limborough Road, has closed as has Cozzy Lounge in Newbury Street and the Wantage Chippy in Wallingford Street.

The opening of the Wantage Chippy in 2023 (Image: Ed Nix)

Though, Maeri Howard of the local chamber of commerce said that business was still good in the birthplace of Anglo-Saxon monarch King Alfred the Great, business rates are a particular burden.

She said: “The most meaningful support for our businesses would come through genuine reform of business rates, which continue to penalise physical premises at a time when they need encouragement, not additional burden.”

Mr Glover agreed and reiterated his call for reform to the business rates system during a recent Westminster Hall debate on support for high streets.

New Look in Wantage (Image: Google Maps)

The Liberal Democrat wants a 5 per cent VAT cut for hospitality and reform of the rates system and he has urged the Government to give councils powers to create “independent shop zones” to support small, locally owned businesses and tackle the spread of empty units and chain stores.

READ MORE: Rapist from historic Oxfordshire town branded ‘dangerous’ amid guilty plea

He said: “A successful high street is not just about shops. It is about community, connection and local pride.

He added: “The districts have lost up to £2.4 million in recent funding, while Oxfordshire County Council will lose £24 million over three years, significantly reducing councils’ ability to support high streets and local businesses.

“The Government needs to give power and funding to our local councils to support our independent shops and the value they provide to the community, as well as urgently reform the business rates system and tackle spiralling energy costs.” 

Honey’s of The High, based in Oxford city centre, received the honours at the 2026 Fed Awards, organised by the Federation of Independent Retailers.

The store is owned by Hiten and Kinnari Patel, who took home titles for Home News Delivery (HND) Retailer of the Year, Newsagent of the Year, and Smokeless Alternatives Retailer of the Year.

Kinnari Patel said: “It is so good to be recognised.

“These are three key categories for us in our store, and we are immensely proud to have won three awards.”

The pair were praised for their dedicated service and strong customer relationships, particularly in home news delivery.

Judges described their business as a ‘thriving independent newsagent’ that continues to stand out on the modern high street.

Mr and Mrs Patel were also commended for their support of vulnerable customers.

The awards ceremony was held in Birmingham on June 17 and hosted by TV presenter and magician Ben Hanlin.

Judges highlighted the couple’s carefully curated approach to the smokeless alternatives category.

By focusing on customer needs rather than offering an overwhelming range, Honey’s succeeded in more than doubling its display space while keeping the selection targeted and easy to navigate.

Honey’s of The High’s third win marked its third success in three years across different categories.

The Patels said their achievements are rooted in serving their community.

They have run the business for 13 years and remain committed to customer care and continuous improvement.

FindCheapVPNs has published research showing a sharp rise in UK searches for VPNs after the government confirmed plans to restrict social media access for under-16s. It said the latest weekly search-interest index was the highest since early August 2025.

The analysis examined 53 weeks of UK Google Trends data and 270 monthly observations from January 2004 to June 2026. In the latest weekly reading, the VPN search-interest index reached 34, up from an average of 12.5 over the previous four weeks, which the group calculated as a 172% increase.

The rise began after the government confirmed its under-16 social media policy. The first regulations are expected before the end of 2026, with implementation planned for spring 2027.

Google Trends uses a relative index rather than raw search volumes. A score of 100 marks the point of highest popularity within the selected dataset, so a reading of 34 reflects relative demand rather than the number of searches.

Martin Needs, Cybersecurity expert, director of NeedSec and lead technical assessor at FindCheapVPNs, said the latest increase appeared to reflect concern before any direct change to access rules had taken effect.

“The current increase appears to be an early response to a confirmed future policy,” Needs said.

“People are researching VPNs before the detailed regulations and enforcement systems have been completed. That suggests major online-access announcements can now trigger immediate questions about privacy, age checks and the future use of VPN technology.”

Earlier peak

The research found that the strongest jump in the past year followed the introduction of stronger age checks in July 2025, rather than the latest policy announcement. During the five weeks before that change, the average Google Trends index was 9. In the following five weeks, from 20 July to 17 August, it averaged 47.4, which FindCheapVPNs calculated as an increase of about 427%.

The weekly index reached 100 in the week beginning 27 July 2025. From 25 July, online services allowing pornography and some other harmful content were required to introduce age-assurance measures aimed at protecting children.

The report drew a distinction between legislative milestones and practical changes that affect users directly. It said the Online Safety Act’s Royal Assent in October 2023 did not trigger a comparable immediate spike in VPN search interest.

Needs said the July 2025 increase remained the clearest signal in the annual data.

“The July 2025 peak remains the clearest event in the annual data,” he said.

“The search response was far larger when age checks began affecting users directly than when legislation was passed or consultations were announced. Immediate changes appear to create the strongest demand for technical alternatives.”

Long-term trend

Over a longer period, the monthly data pointed to a steady rise in UK interest in VPNs. Average relative interest was 1.3 between 2004 and 2013, 10.2 between 2014 and 2019, 20.9 between 2020 and 2024, and 46 between January 2025 and June 2026.

The data also highlighted several moments when interest appeared to shift. In November 2016, the monthly index rose from 7 to 13 during public debate over the Investigatory Powers Act. Interest also stayed elevated during 2020 as remote working expanded and more people needed secure access to work systems from home.

Related queries

FindCheapVPNs also examined the fastest-rising UK searches linked to VPNs over the past month. Google Trends labelled all 10 of the leading related searches as “Breakout”, indicating relative growth of more than 5,000% against the previous comparable period.

Those searches included “are vpns illegal”, “are vpns legal”, “uk to ban vpns”, “will uk ban vpns”, “vpn free trial”, “free vpns for iphone” and “cheapest vpns”. According to the analysis, seven of the 10 queries concerned government policy, legality or possible restrictions, while three related to free trials, free mobile VPNs or cheaper services.

The report said the search data could not identify users’ ages or motives, or show whether any search led to an installation. It also said the figures should not be treated as proof that children were behind the increase or that users intended to bypass proposed rules.

Needs cautioned against assuming that interest in VPNs meant unlawful activity.

“VPN searches should not automatically be treated as evidence of wrongdoing,” he said.

“VPNs are used by businesses, remote workers, travellers, journalists and ordinary consumers for legitimate security and privacy purposes.”

He also pointed to a separate concern in the recent data.

“The more concerning signal is the growth in searches for free applications. When demand rises suddenly, inexperienced users may install unfamiliar software without checking its ownership, permissions, logging practices or business model.”