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Oxfordshire business group launches survey amid parking row

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The Witney Chamber of Commerce is asking local people to respond to its ‘Transport and Movement Survey’ which comes after the publication of Oxfordshire County Council’s controversial Local Transport and Connectivity Plan for the West Oxfordshire Lowlands.

A row has broken out following the publication of the consultation which is running until June 2.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire high street project set to last all summer

The consultation document states: “The availability of free parking discourages the use of alternative modes of transport for short journeys, as people have the ability to do so.”

It adds: “We need to work proactively with community, local stakeholders and businesses to explore options to manage car parking (e.g. removal/ limiting of free parking, re-locating car parking, reducing parking stock) while at the same time protecting the rural local economy.”

Some have taken this as a plan to remove free parking across west Oxfordshire, including Witney, although the county council has said that there are no current plans to change existing parking arrangements.

Witney and District Chamber of Commerce chair Adrian BullockWitney and District Chamber of Commerce chair Adrian Bullock (Image: Witney and District Chamber of Commerce)

In response, a chamber of commerce spokesperson said on social media: “The main item we want to point out is this plan notes there is very high car use across the region.

“They accept that the aging population and rural setting means car dependency is high YET puts the car at the bottom of a pyramid of hierarchy of transport options.”

The chamber added that there was an “inferred threat” within the consultation to car parking.

A spokesperson for the county council said: “Any potential changes to parking would only be considered in locations that have a good level of access by other modes of transport, prior to future schemes being implemented.”

Free parking in West Oxfordshire is ‘under threat’, it has been claimed. (Image: WODC)

Adrian Bullock, chair of the chamber of commerce, has said the group is working on its own paper about transport in Witney and its surroundings.

As such, a survey has been launched to find out whether local businesses and residents support ongoing transport policy in the region and to feed into the chamber’s own work.

Respondents can take part through the organisation’s website here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KWJXCRH

A statement said: “While we as an organisation represent businesses, our members are employers as well so the needs of residents who work in the area are just as vital to these documents.

“We are not a political organisation, we do not wish to engage in rhetoric, opinions or ideology.

READ MORE: Benefits of £4.4m Oxfordshire high street refurb questioned

“We do want to understand as best we can what the people of this area need and want when it comes to getting around.

“To this end we are asking you to complete this survey so we are better informed on your needs and can represent this further to those that are responsible for managing our transport network.”

As well as free parking, the chamber of commerce has spoken out on ongoing construction work on Witney High Street and parking provision within the town.





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Rosa’s Thai is giving away 4000 free Pad Thais to students

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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.





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Historic coin company enters administration after 20 years

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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.





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Warning of new rules for Aldi and Lidl after watchdog review

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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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