The Oxfordshire branches of Witney-based retro-themed gift retailer Past Times have closed with the loss of about 30 jobs.

The stores in Oxford, Witney and Banbury were among 47 to be axed by the firm out of 98 nationwide leading to 400 redundancies. A temporary shop in Oxford’s Westgate Centre has also closed.

But the jobs of 50 staff at the company headquarters on Witney’s Windrush Industrial Estate are safe for now after bosses successfully applied for a 10-day extension to a notice to appoint administrators while talks continue with potential buyers.

The business was originally started in Turl Street, Oxford by John Beale and celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.

It is understood to have suffered poor Christmas trading.

Meanwhile, a cloud hangs over the five county branches of roadside restaurant chain Little Chef.

The firm has announced the closure of 67 of its 161 sites in a move expected to lead to the loss of between 500 and 600 jobs nationally. Last night it could not confirm whether the eateries at Weston on the Green, Bicester, Buckland, Thame and Burford would be included.

Bosses blamed "a variety of economic and locational factors" but said remaining sites are trading profitably.

The announcements follow the closure of the Banbury branch of lingerie chain La Senza after the business was taken into administration while jobs were saved at at Black’s Leisure, which operates four Millets camping stores in Oxford, Witney, Bicester and Banbury as well as a Blacks store in Oxford after the stores were bought out of administration by sportswear firm JD Sports Fashion.

Toy retailer Hawkin’s Bazaar, which had outlets in Oxford’s Westgate Centre and Banbury is also in administration.