Oxfordshire high street plea amid ‘sharp trading decline’

Witney Chamber of Commerce has written to its local authorities and politicians after its members’ trading figures declined by between 20 and 30 per cent compared to last year.

The harrowing claim comes amid major changes to the centre of the town, with construction works ongoing to ‘upgrade’ the High Street and Market Square.

READ MORE: ‘Snowflake’ council slammed for England Flag campaign amid World Cup fever

Beginning in May and due to be completed by November, Oxfordshire County Council say the works will make it easier for people to move around the High Street and access it.

The completed scheme will include new seating areas and trees, resurfacing of approximately 2,000m2 of existing footways and creating over 1,000m2 of new footway space, and a new bus stop for community transport.

However, the delayed project has not been without its controversy with some questioning its benefits and whether it is worth the reported £4.4 million cost.

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

Others criticised the timing.

Councillor Thomas Ashby said: “As businesses navigate a climate of increased taxation by the Labour Government, I worry that the summer construction will hinder our hospitality trade by eliminating outdoor service areas.”

Now, Adrian Bullock, chair of the Witney Chamber of Commerce, has said there has been a “significant drop in customers numbers and a major impact on trading figures”.

He said: “For anyone involved in the retail or hospitality business it should be immediately obvious that this level of decline is the majority if not all of a business’s profit in these sectors and this is at a time of the year when footfall should be at its maximum because of the weather.”

Councillor Thomas Ashby (Image: Thomas Ashby)

As such he has called on West Oxfordshire District Council to consider reductions in business rates and for Oxfordshire County Council to implement signage at both Marriotts Walk and the Woolgate Shopping Centre car parks.

The signs would read: “We apologise for the disruption, Witney High Street remains open and ALL businesses are still trading, please continue to support your town centre.”

Mr Bullock added: “Your help and support in ensuring everything is done to support these businesses during this difficult time is vital for the future of the town centre once the project has been completed.”

West Oxfordshire District Council declined to comment, but county authorities said that they are exploring additional signage.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire GP surgeries hit back after ‘disappointing’ low NHS ranking

This would be in addition to the temporary traffic management signage already in place.

A county council spokesperson added: “Our pedestrian monitoring data at the Welch Way roundabout shows that the number of people visiting Witney High Street is higher than at the same time last year.

“However, we recognise that wider external factors are also affecting businesses.”

They said the wider scheme remains on track to be completed on-time and that it will benefit businesses “by providing a High Street that is more pleasant to spend time in, with wider footways that support increased footfall”.