Latest news with #BotleyRoad
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Oxford's Courtney Pianos blames closure on Botley Road delays
The owner of a piano shop says it is closing down after more than three decades because of the long delays to a road and rail improvement Road has been closed since April 2023 as part of a £161m scheme to upgrade Oxford railway station and is expected to reopen in August Hogben of Courtney Pianos told the BBC the effect the disruption had on the shop was "like falling off the edge of a cliff".A Network Rail spokesperson apologised and said: "We understand how frustrating the Botley Road work is to local businesses and residents and appreciate their concerns." Botley Road was closed as part of Network Rail's project to expand the station and improve connectivity. When the rail operator first outlined its plans it was expected to be shut over two six-month periods, with a six-month break in September 2023 it announced there would be no break because works ran behind schedule. Then, last July, it said it would not reopen in October as planned. Courtney Pianos will close in August as a result of the reduced footfall and uncertainty, and move to a small workshop to focus on restoring pianos. It opened on Botley Road in 1991, though Mr Hogben started the business in 1977. He said during the first closure he thought it better "to ride it out, see how things went, and although we did notice that trading had slipped a bit we were able to keep our heads above water".He added: "But the feeling now is that first of all it's nine months, then it's another nine months, and now we've got another year and a quarter to go, and that's just too long to hang out waiting for things to improve."Mr Hogben said closing the shop "wasn't a real choice". "The numbers and the maths suggested that we had to make a decision of this nature," he explained."I'm feeling a bit flat, a little bit nostalgic for better times, but we've had to make the decision that we either sink or swim." Mr Hogben confirmed there were changing trends in piano sales across the country, with a move towards digital keyboards, but that this did not account for a 40% drop in sales since the Botley Road Bradfield, a piano technician at the shop, said: "It's just got a lot quieter. We don't get the passing trade that we used to... it's hopeless, it really is. They've ruined it."A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We know how important Botley Road is to Oxford and apologise for the ongoing inconvenience."They said the company was organising monthly sessions with residents and businesses, a weekly newsletter, and complimentary workshops to assist with marketing, but said it welcomed any feedback on the project. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Botley Road businesses being 'supported', says Network Rail
Businesses that have been affected by the extended closure of a major route in Oxford will be supported by Network Rail, it has Road has been closed since April 2023 as part of a £161m project to upgrade Oxford Station and is expected to reopen in August month, five businesses affected by the closure stopped paying their business rates and said they would not pay them until they received further financial a statement, Network Rail said it was providing businesses with "independent, tailored advice" to apply for a reduction in their rates. "We continue to work with local businesses and government stakeholders on ways we can provide support within the constraints of being a public body and regulations for managing public money," the spokesperson said. In a letter last week addressing concerns raised by Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds, the rail minister, Lord Hendy, said the government was "working hard with Network Rail to finalise a solution" for businesses on and around the Botley Network Rail spokesperson said it was "continuing our regular engagement with these businesses and are providing independent, tailored advice for their business rate applications to the Valuation Office Agency".Business rates are collected by Oxford City Council on behalf of the government, which set the rates and keep most of the income. Decisions over changes to business rate charges are made by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).A spokesperson for the VOA said although it could not comment on individual cases, it was "engaging with local businesses and other partners affected by the ongoing works around Botley Road"."Where customers have applied for a reduction in their rateable value we'll always look to progress cases as quickly as possible," the spokesperson added. Local business owners have previously they could not "sustain" the losses inflicted by the closure "indefinitely".Zack Iqbal, owner of First Stop Spanner Works, told the BBC it was like "this section of Oxford is closed for business, closed for residents, and just basically shut off from the rest of the world".Tom Rainey, who owns The Porter House restaurant and hotel and The Punter pub, said they were "financially, 10% down".Mr Rainey is one of five business owners that stopped paying their rates, saying: "Not one person has offered us anything, and therefore we believe the only option is to make a stand."While he admitted it was "a bit extreme", he said: "If I end up with a jail term, then I would accept that". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
