‘Independent shops are the lifeblood of Banbury’: Campaigner urges MP to protect businesses from rising costs

In a letter addressed to Mr Woodcock, Andy Willis BCAv, founder of the Banburyshire Advice Centre, warned that rising rents, utility bills and “inflexible business rates” were threatening the livelihoods of Banbury’s independent traders.

He urged the Banbury MP to raise the issue with the Government and push for reforms and subsidies to support and protect local traders and business owners.

Mr Willis, who received a British Citizen Award for his community work last year, said independent retailers were being left with little profit due to rising energy costs, high rents and business rates, making it harder for new businesses to open. He warned that these pressures could contribute to long-term vacancies in the town centre.

He said: “Independent shops are the lifeblood of Banbury’s identity.

“But right now, the financial deck is stacked against them. If we do not address these fundamental overhead pressures, we risk losing the very character that makes our high street special.

“Increasing parking charges in the town have not helped the situation, and the Government needs to do more to ensure local authorities have sufficient funding so that they do not have to increase parking charges, which directly impact the local economy.”

Mr Willis called for permanent business rates reform to give small shops, hospitality and leisure businesses lower and more predictable costs.

He also urged the Government to provide targeted energy bill support and grants to help independent traders improve the energy efficiency of older town-centre properties. He called for more flexible rental agreements to make it easier for new businesses to open and establish themselves in Banbury.

In response to the letter, Banbury MP Sean Woodcock said supporting local businesses was a priority and that he had been listening to business owners’ concerns ahead of next week’s Budget announcement on October 28.

He said: “Supporting our local high streets remains one of my top priorities. Over the past few weeks, I have been meeting directly with a number of business owners across our community to listen to their needs so I can champion their priorities ahead of the Budget.”