Aldens, which has served Oxford and its surrounding counties for more than 235 years, has been awarded B Corp status – a mark awarded to businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

The certification places Aldens among a global community of companies committed to balancing profit with purpose, and it is the highest-scoring business in its sector.

Matthew Alden, managing director and a member of the seventh generation of the Alden family, said: “For 235 years we believe that success isn’t simply measured by profit, but by the relationships we build, the trust we earn and the contribution we make to our community.

“We’re incredibly proud that these values have now been recognised through B Corp certification.

“Although our business has changed enormously since 1793, our principles remain exactly the same – to treat people fairly, support British farming, produce exceptional food, ensure people eat well and leave the business stronger for future generations.”

The company achieved an Overall B Impact Score of 156.6, placing it in the top one per cent of B Corp companies in the UK.

Mr Alden said: “That is an achievement of which everyone at Aldens can be immensely proud, particularly because it reflects our performance across the business – from our Team and governance to our community and environmental impact.”

The business supplies meat to restaurants, pubs, schools, colleges, universities, and hospitality businesses across the UK, and also serves residents through its Oxford retail outlets, Meatmaster and Fishmarket.

It has sustained its Oxford roots while investing in modern facilities, keeping skilled employment and long-term career opportunities in the city.

Aldens also works with charities, schools, colleges, and community groups, reflecting its belief that businesses should contribute meaningfully to society.

Mr Alden said: “Being part of Oxford isn’t simply where we’re based—it’s part of who we are.

“We have supplied generations of Oxford families, schools, colleges and businesses, and we’re incredibly proud of those relationships.

“As a family business, we’ve always believed that if you look after your customers, colleagues, suppliers and community, the business will look after itself.

“B Corp confirms that those values remain just as important today as they were over two centuries ago.”

Environmental improvements are a core focus for Aldens.

The business has introduced more sustainable packaging, reduced waste, improved transport efficiency and worked with customers and logistics partners to lower emissions throughout the supply chain.

Aldens continues to support responsibly reared UK livestock, building long-term relationships with farmers who share its standards of animal welfare and environmental stewardship.

The Barclays van outside Morrisons in Carterton is set to shut after a gradual drop in customer usage, the town council has announced.

The service is set to shut on Thursday, October 22.

The council said users of the van will still be able to pay cash and cheques into Barclays account at the nearby Post Office.

Instead customers will now have to travel six miles to the nearest Barclays branch in Witney.

The council said “please share this post with anyone who may be affected so they are aware of the upcoming change”.

READ MORE: Bicester Village welcomes major US clothing brand with unique ceremony

The former Chipping Norton Barclays branch (Image: Google maps)

A Barclays local van is a mobile, cashless banking vehicle that travels to community to provide face-to-face support where traditional branches have closed.

Its part of Barclays flexible banking network, which includes pods, vans, libraries, and town halls.

In February 2023, Barclays announced nearly 100 branch closures throughout 2024 and 2025, in addition to the 177 branches it closed in 2023.

This included the branch in Abingdon, which went on to close in February 2024.

Earlier this year bosses at Barclays announced plans to reopen more high-street branches, in a dramatic U-turn for the bank.

Over the past decade, thousands of high-street bank branches have shut their doors across the country, including those belonging to Barclays, leaving just 206 still operating throughout the UK.

Freddie Van Mierlo, who represents Henley and Thame, has urged the company to prioritise fixing leaking infrastructure, which reportedly loses 2.87 billion litres of water daily.

This comes after the Environment Agency declared the Thames Valley area in drought.

The responsibility of maintaining water resources during a drought lies with water companies.

Thames Water has already implemented a hosepipe ban in the area since July 22, 2026.

Chris Weston, speaking on the BBC’s Big Boss Interview podcast, stated that some of the firm’s targets were beyond what they could achieve.

He said: “We have to hit a certain level of leakage, but it is so far in excess of what we are capable of doing, I think anyone would be capable of doing, however much money you invested, that it is not going to be achievable.”

Thames Water, the largest water company in the UK, has been under fire recently for its handling of sewage discharges and leaks.

Last year, it was fined a record £122.7 million by regulator Ofwat, largely for breaching sewage spill rules.

However, Mr Van Mierlo argues that a network-wide hosepipe ban would save around 577 million litres a day.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire: Meet the 9-year old cat looking for his final home

Mr Weston defended the company’s pay levels, as his pay rose by 14% to £1.163 million in the year to March, while other directors received bonuses totalling £4.1 million. (Image: Thames Water)

He said: “So, although measures such as hosepipe bans are required during drought, it seems fixing leaking infrastructure would be a significantly more effective use of time.

“In your most recent interview with the BBC, you commented that targets to fix leakages are ‘unrealistic’, this is incredible insensitive considering we are experiencing a 1-in-500-year drought event.

“After reviewing the company’s existing drought plans, I am further concerned that the actions outlined in the early stages of drought are limited to awareness campaigns to reduce water use and hosepipe bans.

“Nowhere, even when drought progresses to severe, is there mention of emergency repairs to leaks in the system.”

He added that constituents have been contacting him daily about leaks due to Thames Water infrastructure and the lack of action following their reports.

He said: “Not only do these leaks damage property, but now in a time of drought, Thames Water are washing away an essential resource.”

Water bottle supply station after water was lost due to a leak in Oxfordshire (Image: Gee Harland)

The company, serving 16 million customers in London and parts of southern England, treats 4.3 billion litres of waste daily.

Mr Weston mentioned that “99.5 per cent of the time” the waste is treated successfully, although “sometimes something goes wrong”.

He added that while the company wants to improve on pollution, the chance of getting to zero pollution was “very, very slim”.