Helping our Local Shops & Businesses

West Oxfordshire is a thriving area with many small businesses and I work hard to provide a strong voice for our local wealth creators. I am determined to ensure that our thriving local economy continues to grow, providing even more good jobs for local people.

I have championed West Oxfordshire businesses since becoming your MP, meeting with hundreds of local businesses in the constituency, and have hosted Parliamentary events honouring our innovative local companies. I have also been elected as the Chair of the All-Party Group for Small and Micro Businesses - making me a key voice in Westminster for small business.

These companies are the lifeblood of our local economy, and it is essential that West Oxfordshire continues to be a dynamic hub of businesses, from table-top operations to international world-beaters.

I work hard to ensure that our small, independent high street shops - which provide our towns with character and local wealth - are able to adapt to a rapidly-changing 21st Century business landscape and compete with the growth of online retail.

I continue to campaign for a root and branch review of the business rate system and for a reduction in the red tape and bureaucracy that faces small firms.

News

Witney Town Centre Survey

Dear resident,

Tell me your priorities for Witney town centre — and together let’s get things done. 

Our town centre should be the bustling heart of our community. But after the pandemic, local businesses have been hit hard. 

Visit to Linear Fisheries

Linear Fisheries is a sustainable, local business with a passion for angling.

It was fantastic recently to meet with their team and see the excellent fishing opportunities they offer locally.

Visit to Windrush Valley Amateur Boxing Club

Great to meet with Dan and the team at Windrush Valley Amateur Boxing Club recently.

Windrush Valley Boxing Club do fantastic work to promote health and fitness in our local area.

Business Breakfast Briefing

Great to speak to local business leaders at the latest Business Breakfast Briefing at ICE Oxford following the Chancellor’s Spring Budget.

Visit to Abbott Diabetes Witney

Abbott Diabetes in Witney undertake truly life-changing research and manufacturing, with the devices made here improving the lives of those living with diabetes all over the World.

Visit to Smiths of Bletchingdon Quarry

I was pleased to visit Smiths of Bletchingdon Quarry recently to learn more about their sites in West Oxfordshire, including how they work with local communities to reduce the impacts of operations as well as the economic benefits of their work.

Robert Visits Bruern Farms Estate

Robert said: "It was a pleasure to visit the beautiful Bruern Estate recently to discuss their commitment to sustainable farming and learn about how they are promoting biodiversity gain at the farm. Thank you for the enjoyable visit and interesting discussion."