Oxford News
Thousands of cancelled flights see major UK traveller U-turn
Flights have seen major disruptions in recent weeks due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Cancellations and delays have become the norm, with uncertainty hanging over holidays and trips for UK residents aiming to travel abroad.
This has seen a major shift to people looking to stay in the UK this summer to have a holiday on home shores.
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Demand for the Cotswolds is on the rise. (Image: Unsplash)
Among the U-turn, the Cotswolds has seen one of the biggest rises in holiday search interest anywhere in the UK, according to new analysis of Google search data.
Research by holiday home insurance specialist Schofields Insurance found searches for “Cotswolds holiday” have jumped by 128 per cent compared with the same week last year.
The figures come as searches for “UK holiday cottage” have surged by 260 per cent in the past month alone.
This points to the growing demand for domestic breaks as some travellers rethink overseas holidays.
The Cotswolds ranked just behind the Lake District in the national search trends and is the second fastest-rising staycation destination in the country.
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Phil Schofield at Schofields Insurance said: “At times when international travel feels concerning or less predictable, it’s natural that many people start looking closer to home when planning a holiday.
“Staycations offer flexibility and familiarity, which is why we’re seeing such strong interest in UK destinations right now.
“The Cotswolds has long been one of the country’s best-known staycation spots, so it’s no surprise to see search interest rising so sharply.
“For many people, it offers an ideal mix of scenery, charm and convenience when planning a UK break.”
Oxford News
Man jailed for ‘sickening’ sexual assault of three girls in Cotswolds
Walter Klen, of Farmoor, Oxford, was sentenced to 19 years in jail at a sentencing at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, July 13.
The 60-year-old was found unanimously guilty of 13 counts, by a jury which police said had to listen to ‘the most vile and harrowing descriptions’ of the child sexual offences.
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These were four counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, one count of attempted rape and four counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.
Walker Klen, of Farmoor, was jailed for 19 years for the ‘sickening’ abuse of three girls (Image: Thames Valley Police)
The court heard that between 2003 and 2010, Klen sexually abused three children over a seven-year period at addresses in Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire and Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.
All three victims were girls who were under the age of 13 at the time of the offences.
Klen was arrested on July 11, 2023, and charged on May 9, 2025.
He was subsequently convicted following a nine-day trial at Oxford Crown Court, which began on June 11.
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Oxford Crown Court (Image: NQ)
Thames Valley Police’s Investigating officer Detective Constable Bryn Smith, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “Klen’s offending was sickening, devious and manipulative and he will rightfully spend many years in prison.
“I commend the bravery of the three victims and their families and friends who had to endure hours of giving evidence in court over these nine days.
“The fact that Klen was found unanimously guilty of all 13 charges is testament to the resolve of those involved and the support they gave each other.
“I would also like to thank the jury. Twelve people from all walks of society who had to listen to the most vile and harrowing descriptions of child sexual abuse over many days.
“I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual abuse to come forward and report it to police.
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“You will be listened to and supported by experienced officers and staff.”
Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can report offences to Thames Valley Police by calling 101 or making a report online. In an emergency, always call 999.
The force said: “We understand that coming forward can feel difficult, and support is available whether or not you choose to make a report to the police. Please see our website for more information.”
Oxford News
Man, 35, banned from Westgate in Oxford after incident
Daniel Walsh was found guilty of a public order offence at a hearing at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on July 10.
The 35-year-old used threatening, abusive or insulting words with intent to harass, alarm or distress a man at the centre, court documents say.
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Walsh denied the offence, which happened on July 1 last year when entering a not guilty plea on August 12, but the conviction was proved in his absence.
Magistrates issued a community order ending October 9, 2026, with specific supervision requirements.
Walsh, if Dunchurch, Rugby in Warwickshire, is also excluded from entering the Westgate shopping centre for three months, also ending October 9, 2026.
The exclusion was ordered as part of the sentence to protect others from further distress.
Walsh’s conviction was recorded under the Public Order Act 1986.
Oxford News
Jobs lost as high street giant in administration with £16m debts
Game, the once‑dominant high street video‑games chain which had over 300 UK stores, continues to disappear from city and town centres across the UK.
An administration report shows the business owed roughly £3.5m to its secured creditor and about £12m to unsecured creditors, many of whom are not expected to recover what they are owed.
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The retailer, now owned by Frasers Group, has been through insolvency once before in 2012 but had rebuilt around a mix of smaller shop units and in‑store concessions inside Sports Direct and House of Fraser.
Those concessions now represent Game’s main physical footprint in Oxfordshire with a branch housed in Cowley’s Sports Direct at Oxford Retail Park on Ambassador Avenue.
That means customers in and around Oxford can still buy products over the counter in Cowley, even as the chain’s standalone stores close elsewhere.
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Witney, however, has already lost its dedicated Game branch after the store held a closing‑down sale in December 2023, before shutting in January 2024.
National coverage has since confirmed that Game’s remaining high street outlets in other parts of the country will shut during 2026.
This ends more than three decades as a standalone presence and leaves the brand trading online and through concessions only.
This pattern is already evident in Oxfordshire, where the Witney shop has gone, and the Cowley counter inside Sports Direct survives.
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