TRAFFIC and roadworks in the city has led a long-established Oxford clothes shop to move to Witney.

Casa Rose Boudoir owner Rose Lyburn had planned on opening a shop in Witney alongside her Walton Street ladies clothes shop.

Despite a revamp 12 months ago she has decided to close down the Oxford shop she opened in 2004 and tomorrow will be its last day of trading.

She said: “I made the decision even after a refit last year in August because of the way Oxford is now.

“I have a database of 2,000 ladies built up over the past 10 years – they come from all over.

“They are telling me they cannot get into Oxford.”

Ms Lyburn, who previously worked at Polo Ralph Lauren in Bicester Village, said she set up in the city because it was “booming”.

More than a decade later the shop owner now thinks Witney is the place to be, at the expense of Oxford.

She said roadworks, traffic and parking charges had led to takings being down.

The North Leigh woman, who has been in retail in Oxford since 1989, said: “The parking charges are increasing, the park-and-ride is apparently moving to Eynsham and then there’s the roadworks.

“It started in Abingdon Road and then Botley Road, then Hythe Bridge Street and the station and now Banbury Road and Woodstock Road.

“Every exit and entry to Oxford is blocked.”

The former French Connection Oxford manager added: “Over the past two years I would say it has been the most severe and it’s getting progressively worse.

“It has shown in our takings and has affected business.”

The 49-year-old said that free parking and an array of independent shops in Witney led her to first think about expanding to the town seven years ago. The new High Street shop will open on September 10.

Jo Sensecall, from West Oxfordshire Business Awards, said the number of independents in Witney was increasing.

She said: “Witney is a thriving market town with a vibrant businesses community.

“Retail businesses really benefit from the provision of free parking, which is reflected in the growing number of independent retailers.

“Last year the West Oxfordshire Business Awards introduced a new retail award which received an encouraging number of entries from independent retailers wanting to celebrate their success.”

A spokeswoman for Oxfordshire County Council said: “Jericho is a vibrant place that many people visit for its diverse shops and restaurants and because it is so easy to get to by foot, bike or by car. Oxford remains very much open for business during all the roadworks as we are doing all the work while also keeping all of the roads open.

“Work on Frideswide Square is scheduled to be completed in December which will create a gateway befitting Oxford’s ambitions as a world-class city. We have worked hard to ensure that all shops and businesses remain accessible and have put up numerous signs and banners to ensure potential customers are aware of this while the work is being done.”

Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce president Peter Smith said: “There is evidence that congestion in Oxford continues to cause problems for commuters and consumers.

“From a county point of view, it is encouraging that the shop is moving to thriving Witney and this town will ultimately benefit.”

Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership said the roadworks were an “unfortunate consequence” of the county’s growth.

Communications manager Mandy Scruby said: “Oxfordshire is experiencing exceptional growth and it is essential that Oxford city’s infrastructure is continually improved to encourage future prosperity.”