The leading UK charity Auditory Verbal, based in Bicester, collapsed into liquidation on May 8, with a statement on its website saying no further operations are expected.

The 23-year-old charity aimed to ensure all deaf children have the same opportunities in life as people who can hear.

Ms Cox presented a BBC Lifeline appeal for the charity in 2018 and it was also visited by former Banbury MP Victoria Prentis.

Auditory Verbal stars in BBC One appeal with radio presenter Sara Cox in 2018 (Image: AVUK)

Ajay Bahl, a senior statutory auditor at Oxford-based Wenn Townsend, said in an independent report for the charity five months ago that there was no evidence the charity could not continue for the next year.

He said: “Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.”

A statement from the charity said that financial pressures “intensified” in recent months to a point where it was “no longer possible for us to operate sustainably”.

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Jane Barry, chair of trustees, said in a report published in February that total income for the charity had dropped from £2.295m down to £1.23m in 12 months.

This was despite an exceptional, one-off amount of £590,000 from the John Thompson estate, and additionally £343,000 from its main fundraising event, held every two years, she added.

She added in the report: “Our priorities for 2025/26 and beyond include a continued focus on the level of unrestricted reserves in order to support existing and planned charitable activity and to mitigate financial risks.

“We aim to keep three months’ budgeted expenditure as reserves, with not less than 50 per cent is unrestricted.”

The trustees said in a statement on the website: “Like many charities, AVUK has been operating in an increasingly challenging and turbulent environment for some time.

“Over recent months, despite strong progress pursing our strategy and continued delivery of high quality, life changing support, the financial pressures facing the charity have intensified to a point where it is no longer possible for us to operate sustainably.

“We understand that the speed of this closure may come as a shock.

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision, taken with the greatest care for the families, professionals and supporters who have placed their trust in AVUK over the years.”

Two independents in west Oxfordshire have announced they are closing permanently in recent weeks including Cotswold Woollen Weavers in Filkins (operating for 44 years) and Junction Hair & Beauty, the salon in Corn Street, Witney (operating for 46 years).

These latest closures follow a number of other businesses shutting in the area across 2026 such as Pretend Supply Co, a clothes shop based at Witney market square, and Homely Furniture 2 Go, a family-run enterprise in Minster Lovell.

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In separate statements both the Cotswolds Woollen Weavers and Junction Hair & Beauty cited increased costs.

Richard Martin outside the Blanket Hall in Witney (Image: NQ)

Richard Martin, who runs the Cotswolds shop, which will continue to operate from Huddersfield, said they stopped weaving there five years ago, in part because of an absence of skills.

“Any of the weavers,” the 73-year-old said, “you bring down from West Yorkshire or Wales just can’t afford the house prices here in the Cotswolds – they’re two or three times the price as over there”.

The family behind Homely Furniture 2 Go in Minster Lovell (Image: Contributed)

Meanwhile Samantha Smith, the co-owner of Junction Hair & Beauty, said that the cost of opening a new salon is “not viable” considering electrics, plumbing and other work.

The hairdresser will close in August after the family that owns the building decided to sell the property.

The team at Junction Hair & Beauty in Witney (Image: Samantha Smith)

West Oxfordshire District Council said it is committed to supporting local businesses, offering advice and support, and signposting funding and grant opportunities.

A spokesperson said: “We recognise that many businesses are facing significant pressures from rising costs and wider economic challenges, and understand the concern when long-established local businesses close.”

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

Meanwhile, The Witney Chamber of Commerce said retail occupation levels in the town were holding up well. However, Adrian Bullock, chair of the group, acknowledged there are challenges.

“The bigger picture does see far more pressure on business,” he said, citing rising utility costs and insurance prices, and changing National Insurance and minimum wage rates.

He added: “The cost increases and squeeze on profit margins is obviously easier for larger brands to manage than it is for independents, so it is quite possible there is a small change in emphasis between independents and brands.”

Councillor Ted Fenton (Image: Bampton Parish Council)

As such, he called for more small business grants to help independents and said that the chamber would continue to push its marketing of the town, a project for which it is looking for partners.

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Councillor Ted Fenton, whose ward includes the Cotswolds Woollen Weavers, was “very sad” to hear the store is closing and said that if we want to retain these independents we have to visit them.

The Conservative said: “Take time to visit places, handle or try on the goods before we buy rather than rely on the ever-increasing fleet of vans both delivering goods and returning the unwanted items.

“Life is fast and furious at times but if we want to maintain a certain quality, we must force ourselves to slow down more often.”

Wallingford-based Connect Catering, which provides catering services across independent and SEND schools, businesses and care settings, was recognised in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 list.

The independent company’s employee engagement score came out at 88 per cent, an ‘excellent’ rating which is higher than the hospitality sector average.

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The score measures against criteria like wellbeing, leadership, empowerment, job satisfaction and workplace culture.

The Connect Catering team at an awards event in 2026 (Image: Supplied)

Victoria Murrell, CEO of Connect Catering, said: ““We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition.

“Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and these results reflect the positive, supportive culture we have worked hard to build across the business.

“Hospitality and catering can be fast-paced industries, so creating an environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to develop is hugely important to us.

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“This achievement belongs to every member of the Connect Catering team.”

The employee engagement survey found more than 90 per cent of employees felt safe in their working environment and felt they had a good relationship with their manager, while 89 per cent felt proud to work for the company and 87 per cent expressed confidence in management.

Connect Catering is an independent, family-run contract catering company which was founded in 1989 and continues to grow across sectors.