Oxford business survey
We commissioned a business survey as part of ongoing monitoring of the temporary congestion charge.
The report produced by Survation Ltd presents the findings of a survey of 300 businesses operating in the Oxford area (postcodes OX1 to OX4) conducted between April 30 and May 15, 2026.
It explores business performance, pressures and views on the temporary congestion charge.
Overall findings
The survey shows a business sample that is broadly positive about current trading conditions in Oxford but facing strong cost and transport pressures. Most businesses say they are performing well (72%), and more say performance is better than worse compared with a year ago (30% vs 16%). At the same time, rising costs are the most common current pressure (69%), while economic uncertainty and transport or travel costs are both cited by 61%.
Primary operating area is an important lens. OX1-primary businesses tend to be more positive about both business performance and the temporary congestion charge. By contrast, OX2 and OX3 businesses are more likely to report negative effects from the congestion charge, especially on customer numbers and staff travel. OX4 businesses are especially likely to cite rising costs and have the highest share reporting many staff changing their travel.
The Oxford area is valued most for its location and accessibility: 71% select good location or accessibility, ahead of Oxford's reputation as a place to do business (47%), quality of life or environment (42%), proximity to universities or research institutions (40%), and strong customer demand (39%). OX3 businesses are less likely than others to value ease of getting to and around Oxford.
Awareness of the temporary congestion charge is high, with 73% saying their business is well informed. Its perceived effect is mixed but leans negative, although they most commonly perceive no effect: 48% say it has had no noticeable effect overall, while 30% say the effect has been negative and 22% positive. It is more clearly associated with higher operating costs, more difficult deliveries or servicing, and negative views of staff travel changes.
Businesses with mobile workers travelling across Oxford several times a week or more report sharper transport pressures. They are much more likely than other businesses to cite transport or travel costs as a current pressure (75% vs 46%) and more likely to say the temporary congestion charge has increased operating costs (42% vs 29%). They are also more likely to say many staff have changed how they travel to work (21% vs 10%).
The sharpest attitudinal differences towards the congestion charge are between shop-front businesses, covering retail, hospitality and tourism, and other business types. Shop-front businesses are substantially more likely than other businesses to say the charge has had a negative overall effect (47% vs 24%), decreased customer numbers (58% vs 18%), made deliveries or servicing more difficult (57% vs 33%), and increased operating costs (43% vs 33%).
Methodology note
The survey contains 300 businesses operating in the Oxford area (OX1-OX4). This sample broadly reflects the mix of businesses in the area, and the methodological approach involved a mix of telephone surveys, email online surveys, and in-person routes to ensure good representation of businesses operating in the area.
The tables below use whole-number percentages from the data tables. The primary operating area columns show respondents broken out by the OX1, OX2, OX3 and OX4 postcodes. In the additional crossbreak tables, results are broken out by worker mobility, and ‘shop front’ businesses vs other business types. Unless otherwise stated, bases are all respondents. Questions asked of subgroups have different bases shown below. The fieldwork was conducted from the 30th April to 15th May 2026.
Business profile
Business operating postcodes
In which of the following postcode area(s) does your business operate?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OX1 | 41% | 100% | 5% | 33% | 6% |
| OX2 | 40% | 6% | 100% | 49% | 13% |
| OX3 | 24% | 6% | 6% | 100% | 17% |
| OX4 | 32% | 9% | 2% | 31% | 100% |
OX1 and OX2 are the most commonly reported operating postcodes overall (41% and 40%), followed by OX4 (32%) and OX3 (24%). Businesses could select more than one area, so the crossbreaks show overlap: businesses whose primary area is OX3 are especially likely to also operate in OX2 (49%) and OX1 (33%), while OX4-primary businesses are relatively likely to also operate in OX3 (17%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
|
Response |
Topline findings |
Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers |
Shop-front businesses |
Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OX1 | 41% | 46% | 36% | 43% | 41% |
| OX2 | 40% | 44% | 37% | 39% | 41% |
| OX3 | 24% | 23% | 25% | 15% | 27% |
| OX4 | 32% | 32% | 32% | 32% | 32% |
On additional crossbreaks, businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel are somewhat more likely than other businesses to operate in OX1 and OX2. Shop-front businesses have a similar spread across OX1, OX2 and OX4, but are less likely than other businesses to operate in OX3.
Primary operating area
Which of these is your primary operating area?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OX1 | 33% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| OX2 | 27% | 0% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| OX3 | 16% | 0% | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| OX4 | 23% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 100% |
One third of respondents say OX1 is their primary operating area (33%), followed by OX2 (27%), OX4 (23%) and OX3 (16%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
|
Response |
Topline findings |
Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers |
Shop-front businesses |
Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OX1 | 33% | 36% | 31% | 37% | 32% |
| OX2 | 27% | 29% | 26% | 29% | 27% |
| OX3 | 16% | 14% | 19% | 10% | 19% |
| OX4 | 23% | 22% | 24% | 24% | 23% |
The primary operating area profile is broadly similar across the other sub-groups of interest. Businesses with mobile workers travelling weekly or more are slightly more likely to be OX1-primary, while shop-front businesses are somewhat less likely than other businesses to be OX3-primary.
Responsibility within the business
Which of the following best describes your level of responsibility within the business?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am the business owner, partner or director | 27% | 32% | 23% | 45% | 13% |
| I am self-employed or a sole trader | 15% | 16% | 15% | 10% | 19% |
| I am a senior decision-maker (e.g. responsible for budgets, operations or strategy) | 57% | 52% | 62% | 45% | 68% |
| I am not involved in business decisions | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
The sample is primarily made up of senior business decision-makers: 57% are senior decision-makers, 27% are business owners, partners or directors, and 15% are self-employed or sole traders. OX4 has the highest share of senior decision-makers (68%), while OX3 has the highest share of business owners, partners or directors (45%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I am the business owner, partner or director | 27% | 29% | 26% | 30% | 26% |
| I am self-employed or a sole trader | 15% | 21% | 10% | 6% | 19% |
| I am a senior decision-maker (e.g. responsible for budgets, operations or strategy) | 57% | 51% | 64% | 63% | 55% |
| I am not involved in business decisions | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel include a higher share of sole traders and a lower share of senior decision-makers than other businesses. Shop-front businesses are less likely than other businesses to be sole traders and more likely to be senior decision-makers.
Business sector
Which of the following best describes the sector your business operates in?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human health and social work | 8% | 6% | 7% | 6% | 14% |
| Professional, scientific and technical | 18% | 15% | 18% | 24% | 16% |
| Education | 21% | 28% | 20% | 18% | 16% |
| Public administration and defence | 2% | 3% | 4% | 0% | 1% |
| Accommodation and food services | 6% | 10% | 5% | 6% | 1% |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 15% | 9% | 21% | 10% | 19% |
| Financial and insurance | 3% | 4% | 4% | 2% | 1% |
| Transportation and storage | 3% | 4% | 1% | 0% | 7% |
| Information and communication | 3% | 3% | 4% | 0% | 4% |
| Administrative and support services | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% |
| Arts entertainment and recreation | 6% | 10% | 2% | 0% | 7% |
| Construction | 4% | 2% | 5% | 6% | 4% |
| Manufacturing | 3% | 2% | 6% | 4% | 1% |
| Small goods or service business | 6% | 2% | 2% | 22% | 6% |
| Other | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
The largest sectors in the sample are education (21%), professional, scientific and technical services (18%), and wholesale and retail trade (15%). The profile varies by primary operating area: OX1 has a relatively high education share (28%), OX3 has more professional, scientific and technical businesses (24%) and small goods/service businesses (22%), while OX4 is higher for human health and social work (14%) and wholesale and retail trade (19%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human health and social work | 8% | 13% | 3% | 0% | 11% |
| Professional, scientific and technical | 18% | 14% | 21% | 0% | 24% |
| Education | 21% | 23% | 19% | 0% | 29% |
| Public administration and defence | 2% | 3% | 2% | 0% | 3% |
| Accommodation and food services | 6% | 8% | 4% | 23% | 0% |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 15% | 10% | 19% | 56% | 0% |
| Financial and insurance | 3% | 1% | 5% | 0% | 4% |
| Transportation and storage | 3% | 3% | 3% | 0% | 5% |
| Information and communication | 3% | 3% | 3% | 0% | 4% |
| Administrative and support services | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
| Arts entertainment and recreation | 6% | 5% | 6% | 22% | 0% |
| Construction | 4% | 5% | 3% | 0% | 5% |
| Manufacturing | 3% | 5% | 1% | 0% | 5% |
| Small goods or service business | 6% | 5% | 8% | 0% | 9% |
| Other | 0% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
The shop-front split is driven by the definition of the group: accommodation and food services, wholesale and retail, and arts, entertainment and recreation are all included in shop-front businesses. Businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel are relatively more likely than other businesses to be in human health and social work or education, and less likely to be in professional, scientific and technical services.
Number of employees in the Oxford area
Approximately how many people are employed by your business (including yourself) in the Oxford area (OX1-OX4)?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6% | 3% | 5% | 10% | 7% |
| 2-9 | 27% | 25% | 26% | 45% | 20% |
| 10-24 | 19% | 22% | 21% | 12% | 16% |
| 25-49 | 16% | 20% | 13% | 12% | 14% |
| 50-249 | 23% | 16% | 27% | 16% | 33% |
| 250+ | 10% | 14% | 9% | 4% | 9% |
Most businesses employ fewer than fifty people in the Oxford area, including 27% with 2-9 employees and 19% with 10-24 employees. OX3-primary businesses tend to be smaller, with 45% employing 2-9 people, while OX4 has the highest share of businesses employing 50-249 people (33%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6% | 5% | 7% | 5% | 6% |
| 2-9 | 27% | 19% | 36% | 42% | 22% |
| 10-24 | 19% | 19% | 18% | 18% | 19% |
| 25-49 | 16% | 23% | 8% | 13% | 17% |
| 50-249 | 23% | 23% | 23% | 19% | 24% |
| 250+ | 10% | 12% | 8% | 4% | 12% |
Businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel skew less towards the smallest employer band than other businesses and are more likely to employ 25-49 people locally. Shop-front businesses are especially likely to be smaller employers, with a much higher share in the 2-9 employee band than other businesses.
Businesses with mobile workers
Are you or does your business have mobile workers working across the Oxford area (OX1-OX4)? By this we mean workers whose job requires them to travel regularly to different locations and who do not have a single, fixed workplace.
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 58% | 59% | 59% | 51% | 62% |
| No | 42% | 41% | 41% | 49% | 38% |
Almost three in five businesses (58%) have mobile workers operating across the Oxford area. The figure is highest among OX4-primary businesses (62%) and lowest among OX3-primary businesses (51%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 58% | 100% | 14% | 54% | 60% |
| No | 42% | 0% | 86% | 46% | 40% |
The mobile-worker result is definitional for the first two columns: all businesses in the weekly+ group have mobile workers, while most businesses in the no/less frequent group do not. Shop-front businesses are slightly less likely than other businesses to have mobile workers, but the difference is modest.
Frequency of mobile-worker travel across Oxford
How often do you or your mobile workers travel across the Oxford area (OX1-OX4) (e.g. to visit clients or customers)?
Base: Those who have mobile workers, working across the Oxford area (OX1-OX4). Topline findings = 175; OX1 = 59; OX2 = 48; OX3 = 25; OX4 = 43.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Several times a day | 24% | 24% | 31% | 16% | 21% |
| Daily | 23% | 27% | 23% | 20% | 21% |
| Several times a week | 33% | 37% | 27% | 44% | 28% |
| About once a week | 7% | 5% | 10% | 4% | 9% |
| About once a fortnight | 5% | 2% | 4% | 8% | 9% |
| About once a month | 4% | 3% | 4% | 0% | 7% |
| Less often than once a month | 3% | 2% | 0% | 8% | 5% |
Among businesses with mobile workers, regular cross-Oxford travel is common: 81% travel several times a week or more, including 24% several times a day and 23% daily. OX2-primary businesses are most likely to report travel several times a day (31%), while OX3-primary businesses are most likely to report travel several times a week (44%).
Base: Those who have mobile workers, working across the Oxford area (OX1--OX4). Topline findings = 175; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; Less frequent mobile workers = 21; Shop-front businesses = 43; Other businesses = 132.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Several times a day | 24% | 27% | 0% | 28% | 23% |
| Daily | 23% | 27% | 0% | 21% | 24% |
| Several times a week | 33% | 38% | 0% | 28% | 35% |
| About once a week | 7% | 8% | 0% | 7% | 8% |
| About once a fortnight | 5% | 0% | 43% | 5% | 5% |
| About once a month | 4% | 0% | 33% | 7% | 3% |
| Less often than once a month | 3% | 0% | 24% | 5% | 2% |
Among businesses with mobile workers, the weekly+ group is concentrated in daily or weekly travel by definition. Shop-front businesses with mobile workers have a broadly similar pattern to other businesses, though they are slightly less likely to report travelling several times a week and slightly more likely to report travel several times a day.
Business pressures and performance
Factors currently affecting businesses
Which of the following factors, if any, are currently affecting your business?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rising costs (for example energy, labour, materials or services) | 69% | 66% | 71% | 61% | 77% |
| Changes in customer demand | 34% | 32% | 29% | 37% | 39% |
| Economic uncertainty | 61% | 66% | 62% | 57% | 57% |
| Difficulty recruiting or retaining staff | 24% | 26% | 26% | 22% | 19% |
| Supply chain issues | 20% | 22% | 13% | 31% | 17% |
| Access to finance or cash flow pressures | 13% | 16% | 12% | 14% | 10% |
| Regulation or compliance requirements | 22% | 27% | 20% | 27% | 16% |
| Competition in the market | 34% | 31% | 39% | 31% | 33% |
| Transport or travel costs | 61% | 61% | 67% | 53% | 59% |
| Other | 8% | 7% | 6% | 10% | 9% |
| None of these | 3% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 6% |
Rising costs are the most widespread pressure on the business (69%), followed by economic uncertainty and transport or travel costs (both 61%). OX4-primary businesses are especially likely to mention rising costs (77%), OX2 businesses are highest on transport or travel costs (67%), and OX3 businesses are more likely than others to mention supply chain issues (31%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rising costs (for example energy, labour, materials or services) | 69% | 72% | 66% | 71% | 68% |
| Changes in customer demand | 34% | 37% | 30% | 33% | 34% |
| Economic uncertainty | 61% | 67% | 55% | 61% | 62% |
| Difficulty recruiting or retaining staff | 24% | 23% | 25% | 10% | 29% |
| Supply chain issues | 20% | 21% | 18% | 24% | 19% |
| Access to finance or cash flow pressures | 13% | 14% | 12% | 8% | 15% |
| Regulation or compliance requirements | 22% | 24% | 21% | 16% | 24% |
| Competition in the market | 34% | 32% | 35% | 29% | 35% |
| Transport or travel costs | 61% | 75% | 46% | 62% | 61% |
| Other | 8% | 8% | 8% | 10% | 7% |
| None of these | 3% | 1% | 5% | 4% | 3% |
Frequent mobile-worker businesses stand out on transport pressures: they are much more likely than other businesses to cite transport or travel costs (75%), and somewhat more likely to cite economic uncertainty (67%). Shop-front businesses have a broadly similar pressure profile to other businesses, though they are less likely to cite recruitment or retention difficulties.
Current business performance
Overall, how would you say your business is performing?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very well | 14% | 16% | 10% | 14% | 17% |
| Fairly well | 58% | 62% | 61% | 55% | 51% |
| Neither well nor badly | 20% | 16% | 17% | 24% | 25% |
| Fairly badly | 4% | 4% | 6% | 0% | 6% |
| Very badly | 1% | 0% | 0% | 4% | 1% |
| Prefer not to say | 3% | 2% | 6% | 2% | 0% |
| NET: Well | 72% | 78% | 71% | 69% | 68% |
| NET: Badly | 5% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 7% |
| NET: Difference | +67pp | +74pp | +65pp | +65pp | +61pp |
| Mean score | 3.83 | 3.92 | 3.79 | 3.77 | 3.77 |
Most businesses say they are performing well (72%), while only 5% say they are performing badly. OX1-primary businesses are the most positive on this measure (78% well), while OX4 is slightly lower but still strongly positive (68% well).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very well | 14% | 15% | 14% | 13% | 15% |
| Fairly well | 58% | 57% | 59% | 63% | 56% |
| Neither well nor badly | 20% | 21% | 18% | 16% | 21% |
| Fairly badly | 4% | 5% | 3% | 5% | 4% |
| Very badly | 1% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 1% |
| Prefer not to say | 3% | 1% | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| NET: Well | 72% | 72% | 73% | 76% | 71% |
| NET: Badly | 5% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| NET: Difference | +67pp | +66pp | +68pp | +71pp | +66pp |
| Mean score | 3.83 | 3.81 | 3.84 | 3.86 | 3.81 |
Current performance differs little by the new crossbreaks. Businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel and those with no or less frequent mobile-worker travel give very similar performance ratings, while shop-front businesses are slightly more likely than other businesses to say they are performing well.
Business performance compared with a year ago
Compared to a year ago, how is the business performing?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Much better | 6% | 7% | 2% | 8% | 9% |
| Slightly better | 24% | 27% | 17% | 24% | 28% |
| About the same | 33% | 33% | 39% | 35% | 26% |
| Slightly worse | 13% | 12% | 12% | 16% | 12% |
| Much worse | 3% | 1% | 5% | 4% | 4% |
| Prefer not to say | 20% | 20% | 24% | 12% | 22% |
| NET: Better | 30% | 34% | 20% | 33% | 36% |
| NET: Worse | 16% | 13% | 17% | 20% | 16% |
| NET: Difference | +14pp | +21pp | +2pp | +12pp | +20pp |
| Mean score | 0.22 | 0.34 | 0.00 | 0.19 | 0.31 |
Businesses are more likely to say performance has improved than worsened compared with a year ago (30% better vs 16% worse), though a third say it is about the same (33%). OX2-primary businesses are less positive than the other areas, with 20% saying performance is better and 17% worse, while OX1 and OX4 have stronger net-positive scores (+21 and +20 points respectively).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Much better | 6% | 8% | 5% | 4% | 7% |
| Slightly better | 24% | 21% | 27% | 20% | 25% |
| About the same | 33% | 27% | 40% | 38% | 32% |
| Slightly worse | 13% | 15% | 10% | 16% | 11% |
| Much worse | 3% | 4% | 3% | 6% | 2% |
| Prefer not to say | 20% | 26% | 14% | 15% | 22% |
| NET: Better | 30% | 29% | 32% | 24% | 33% |
| NET: Worse | 16% | 19% | 13% | 23% | 14% |
| NET: Difference | +14pp | +10pp | +19pp | +1pp | +19pp |
| Mean score | 0.22 | 0.18 | 0.25 | -0.01 | 0.31 |
Compared with a year ago, shop-front businesses are less positive than other businesses: they are less likely to say performance is better (24%) and more likely to say it is worse (23%). Differences by mobile-worker frequency are modest, with both groups more likely to report improvement than deterioration.
Oxford as a place to do business
What businesses value about Oxford
What do you value most about the Oxford area (OX1-OX4) as a business?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong customer demand | 39% | 44% | 34% | 33% | 41% |
| Affluent customer base | 37% | 31% | 45% | 35% | 36% |
| Good location or accessibility | 71% | 75% | 72% | 61% | 71% |
| Footfall or passing trade | 17% | 22% | 20% | 12% | 12% |
| Reputation of Oxford as a place to do business | 47% | 46% | 40% | 53% | 52% |
| Skilled workforce availability | 32% | 33% | 30% | 33% | 30% |
| Proximity to universities or research institutions | 40% | 43% | 39% | 39% | 36% |
| Business networks or partnerships | 32% | 32% | 32% | 33% | 32% |
| Quality of life or environment | 42% | 48% | 48% | 35% | 30% |
| Stability of the local market | 24% | 27% | 28% | 20% | 19% |
| Ease of getting to and around Oxford | 26% | 31% | 23% | 8% | 33% |
| Other | 4% | 2% | 5% | 8% | 3% |
Good location or accessibility is by far the most valued feature of the Oxford area (71%). Other common positives are Oxford's reputation as a place to do business (47%), quality of life or environment (42%), proximity to universities or research institutions (40%), and strong customer demand (39%). OX3 businesses are less likely than others to value ease of getting to and around Oxford (8% versus 26% overall).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strong customer demand | 39% | 47% | 29% | 42% | 38% |
| Affluent customer base | 37% | 40% | 34% | 35% | 37% |
| Good location or accessibility | 71% | 71% | 71% | 70% | 71% |
| Footfall or passing trade | 17% | 19% | 15% | 34% | 11% |
| Reputation of Oxford as a place to do business | 47% | 39% | 55% | 43% | 48% |
| Skilled workforce availability | 32% | 35% | 28% | 19% | 36% |
| Proximity to universities or research institutions | 40% | 39% | 40% | 35% | 41% |
| Business networks or partnerships | 32% | 30% | 34% | 19% | 37% |
| Quality of life or environment | 42% | 40% | 44% | 34% | 44% |
| Stability of the local market | 24% | 25% | 23% | 30% | 22% |
| Ease of getting to and around Oxford | 26% | 25% | 27% | 22% | 27% |
| Other | 4% | 5% | 3% | 3% | 5% |
Businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel are more likely than other businesses to value strong customer demand (47%), but less likely to mention Oxford's reputation as a place to do business (39%). Shop-front businesses are much more likely to value footfall or passing trade (34%), and less likely to cite skilled workforce availability (19%) or business networks (also 19%).
Temporary congestion charge
Awareness of the temporary congestion charge
How well informed do you feel your business is about the Oxford temporary congestion charging scheme?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very well informed | 24% | 27% | 18% | 35% | 17% |
| Fairly well informed | 49% | 46% | 55% | 37% | 57% |
| Not very well informed | 22% | 25% | 22% | 20% | 20% |
| Not at all informed | 5% | 2% | 5% | 8% | 6% |
| NET: Well informed | 73% | 73% | 73% | 71% | 74% |
| NET: Not well informed | 27% | 27% | 27% | 29% | 26% |
| NET: Difference | +46pp | +46pp | +46pp | +43pp | +48pp |
| Mean score | 2.92 | 2.98 | 2.87 | 2.98 | 2.86 |
Nearly three-quarters of businesses feel well informed about the Oxford temporary congestion charging scheme (73%). This is very consistent by primary operating area, ranging from 71% in OX3 to 74% in OX4. Just over a quarter (27%) do not feel well informed.
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very well informed | 24% | 25% | 23% | 14% | 27% |
| Fairly well informed | 49% | 51% | 48% | 56% | 47% |
| Not very well informed | 22% | 19% | 26% | 22% | 23% |
| Not at all informed | 5% | 6% | 3% | 9% | 3% |
| NET: Well informed | 73% | 75% | 71% | 70% | 74% |
| NET: Not well informed | 27% | 25% | 29% | 30% | 26% |
| NET: Difference | +46pp | +51pp | +41pp | +39pp | +48pp |
| Mean score | 2.92 | 2.94 | 2.90 | 2.75 | 2.98 |
Awareness of the temporary congestion charge is broadly similar by mobile-worker frequency. Shop-front businesses are slightly less likely than other businesses to feel very well informed, though a clear majority in both groups say they are well informed overall (70% and 74% respectively).
Overall effect of the temporary congestion charge
Overall, what effect, if any, has the temporary congestion charge had on your business?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very positive effect | 7% | 7% | 7% | 4% | 7% |
| Fairly positive effect | 15% | 21% | 11% | 12% | 13% |
| No noticeable effect | 48% | 49% | 43% | 49% | 52% |
| Fairly negative effect | 19% | 16% | 22% | 20% | 19% |
| Very negative effect | 11% | 7% | 17% | 14% | 9% |
| NET: Positive effect | 22% | 28% | 18% | 16% | 20% |
| NET: Negative effect | 30% | 23% | 39% | 35% | 28% |
| NET: Difference | -9pp | +5pp | -21pp | -18pp | -7pp |
| Mean score | -0.13 | 0.05 | -0.30 | -0.29 | -0.09 |
Businesses are more likely to say the temporary congestion charge has had a negative positive effect overall (30% negative vs 22% positive), although the largest group say it has had no noticeable effect (48%). OX1-primary businesses are the only group with a net-positive balance (28% positive vs 23% negative), while OX2 and OX3 businesses are clearly net-negative (-21 and -18 respectively).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very positive effect | 7% | 10% | 3% | 1% | 9% |
| Fairly positive effect | 15% | 18% | 12% | 15% | 15% |
| No noticeable effect | 48% | 39% | 58% | 37% | 52% |
| Fairly negative effect | 19% | 20% | 18% | 28% | 16% |
| Very negative effect | 11% | 13% | 10% | 19% | 9% |
| NET: Positive effect | 22% | 28% | 15% | 16% | 24% |
| NET: Negative effect | 30% | 33% | 27% | 47% | 24% |
| NET: Difference | -9pp | -5pp | -12pp | -30pp | -1pp |
| Mean score | -0.13 | -0.08 | -0.18 | -0.48 | -0.01 |
Views of the overall effect of the congestion charge are much sharper among shop-front businesses: they are almost twice as likely as other businesses to say it has had a negative effect. Businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel are more likely than other businesses to report both positive and negative effects, and less likely to report no noticeable effect.
Effect on customer numbers
Has the temporary congestion charge affected the number of customers using your business?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased a lot | 6% | 9% | 4% | 2% | 7% |
| Increased a little | 15% | 16% | 16% | 12% | 13% |
| No change | 45% | 51% | 29% | 55% | 49% |
| Decreased a little | 19% | 14% | 32% | 20% | 12% |
| Decreased a lot | 9% | 8% | 10% | 8% | 12% |
| Don't know | 5% | 2% | 10% | 2% | 7% |
| NET: Increased | 21% | 25% | 20% | 14% | 20% |
| NET: Decreased | 29% | 22% | 41% | 29% | 23% |
| NET: Difference | -8pp | +3pp | -22pp | -14pp | -3pp |
| Mean score | -0.12 | 0.04 | -0.31 | -0.21 | -0.08 |
On customer numbers, the largest group report no change (45%), but more businesses say customer numbers have decreased than increased (29% vs 21%). The pattern is most negative in OX2, where 41% say customer numbers have decreased and 20% say they have increased; OX1 is the only area with a slight positive balance (+3).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased a lot | 6% | 10% | 2% | 6% | 6% |
| Increased a little | 15% | 23% | 5% | 9% | 17% |
| No change | 45% | 32% | 59% | 22% | 54% |
| Decreased a little | 19% | 22% | 16% | 35% | 14% |
| Decreased a lot | 9% | 8% | 11% | 23% | 5% |
| Don't know | 5% | 5% | 6% | 5% | 5% |
| NET: Increased | 21% | 33% | 8% | 15% | 23% |
| NET: Decreased | 29% | 30% | 27% | 58% | 18% |
| NET: Difference | -8pp | +3pp | -20pp | -43pp | +5pp |
| Mean score | -0.12 | 0.05 | -0.31 | -0.63 | 0.06 |
The customer frequency impact is the clearest shop-front difference: a majority of shop-front businesses say customer numbers have decreased (58%), compared with fewer than one in five other businesses (18%). Frequent mobile-worker businesses are more likely than other businesses to report increased customer numbers (33%), but also slightly more likely to report decreases (30%).
Effect on operating costs
Has the temporary congestion charge affected your business operating costs?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased a lot | 6% | 5% | 6% | 4% | 10% |
| Increased a little | 30% | 30% | 34% | 24% | 28% |
| No change | 51% | 54% | 48% | 59% | 45% |
| Decreased a little | 4% | 2% | 6% | 4% | 4% |
| Decreased a lot | 2% | 3% | 1% | 2% | 1% |
| Don't know | 7% | 6% | 5% | 6% | 12% |
| NET: Increased | 36% | 35% | 40% | 29% | 38% |
| NET: Decreased | 6% | 5% | 7% | 6% | 6% |
| NET: Difference | +30pp | +30pp | +33pp | +22pp | +32pp |
| Mean score | 0.37 | 0.34 | 0.40 | 0.26 | 0.46 |
The congestion charge is more likely to have increased than decreased operating costs (36% increased vs 6% decreased), while 51% report no change. Cost increases are somewhat higher among OX2 and OX4 businesses (40% and 38%) and lowest among OX3 businesses (29%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increased a lot | 6% | 10% | 3% | 8% | 6% |
| Increased a little | 30% | 32% | 27% | 35% | 28% |
| No change | 51% | 46% | 56% | 37% | 56% |
| Decreased a little | 4% | 4% | 4% | 6% | 3% |
| Decreased a lot | 2% | 3% | 1% | 5% | 1% |
| Don't know | 7% | 5% | 9% | 9% | 6% |
| NET: Increased | 36% | 42% | 29% | 43% | 33% |
| NET: Decreased | 6% | 6% | 5% | 11% | 4% |
| NET: Difference | +30pp | +36pp | +24pp | +32pp | +29pp |
| Mean score | 0.37 | 0.45 | 0.28 | 0.38 | 0.37 |
Businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel are more likely than other businesses to say the charge has increased operating costs (42%). Shop-front businesses are also more likely than other businesses to report increased costs (43%), with the net balance strongly towards higher costs in both groups.
Effect on deliveries or servicing
Has the temporary congestion charge affected deliveries or servicing of your business?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made them much easier | 6% | 7% | 4% | 4% | 7% |
| Made them slightly easier | 11% | 15% | 9% | 8% | 9% |
| No difference | 40% | 40% | 37% | 43% | 43% |
| Made them slightly more difficult | 30% | 27% | 34% | 27% | 30% |
| Made them much more difficult | 10% | 9% | 11% | 10% | 9% |
| Not applicable | 4% | 2% | 6% | 8% | 1% |
| NET: Easier | 16% | 22% | 12% | 12% | 16% |
| NET: More difficult | 39% | 36% | 45% | 37% | 39% |
| NET: Difference | -23pp | -14pp | -33pp | -24pp | -23pp |
| Mean score | -0.28 | -0.16 | -0.43 | -0.33 | -0.25 |
For deliveries and servicing, 40% report no difference, but businesses are more likely to say the charge has made them more difficult than easier (39% vs 16%). The balance is most negative in OX2, where 45% say deliveries or servicing have become more difficult and 12% say they have become easier.
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Made them much easier | 6% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 6% |
| Made them slightly easier | 11% | 19% | 2% | 5% | 13% |
| No difference | 40% | 38% | 43% | 30% | 44% |
| Made them slightly more difficult | 30% | 26% | 34% | 42% | 25% |
| Made them much more difficult | 10% | 9% | 10% | 15% | 8% |
| Not applicable | 4% | 2% | 6% | 3% | 5% |
| NET: Easier | 16% | 25% | 7% | 10% | 19% |
| NET: More difficult | 39% | 35% | 44% | 57% | 33% |
| NET: Difference | -23pp | -10pp | -37pp | -47pp | -14pp |
| Mean score | -0.28 | -0.13 | -0.45 | -0.58 | -0.17 |
For deliveries and servicing, the shop-front difference is again substantial: shop-front businesses are much more likely than other businesses to say the charge has made deliveries or servicing more difficult (57%). Businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel are more likely than other businesses to say deliveries have become easier (25%), but still more likely to report difficulty than improvement (36%).
Effect on staff travel
Has the congestion charge affected how your staff travel to work?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes - many staff changed their travel | 15% | 13% | 13% | 16% | 20% |
| Yes - some staff changed their travel | 41% | 43% | 41% | 41% | 39% |
| No noticeable change | 28% | 29% | 29% | 27% | 28% |
| Don't know | 10% | 12% | 11% | 8% | 6% |
| Not applicable | 5% | 3% | 5% | 8% | 7% |
More than half of businesses say the congestion charge has affected how staff travel to work: 15% say many staff changed their travel and 41% say some staff have. Differences by area are relatively modest, though OX4-primary businesses are most likely to say many staff changed their travel (20%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes - many staff changed their travel | 15% | 21% | 10% | 16% | 15% |
| Yes - some staff changed their travel | 41% | 42% | 41% | 43% | 41% |
| No noticeable change | 28% | 21% | 36% | 25% | 29% |
| Don't know | 10% | 13% | 6% | 9% | 10% |
| Not applicable | 5% | 4% | 7% | 6% | 5% |
Frequent mobile-worker businesses are more likely than other businesses to say many staff have changed how they travel to work (21%), and less likely to report no noticeable change (36%). Differences between shop-front and other businesses are relatively small on whether staff travel has changed.
View of staff travel changes
Have changes to staff travel been positive or negative in your view?
Base: Respondents who say the congestion charge affected how staff travel to work. Topline findings = 170; OX1 = 56; OX2 = 45; OX3 = 28; OX4 = 41.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very positive | 9% | 11% | 7% | 14% | 7% |
| Fairly positive | 12% | 23% | 4% | 7% | 10% |
| Neither positive nor negative | 26% | 25% | 20% | 21% | 37% |
| Fairly negative | 35% | 34% | 42% | 36% | 29% |
| Very negative | 17% | 7% | 27% | 21% | 17% |
| NET: Positive | 22% | 34% | 11% | 21% | 17% |
| NET: Negative | 52% | 41% | 69% | 57% | 46% |
| NET: Difference | -31pp | -7pp | -58pp | -36pp | -29pp |
| Mean score | 2.62 | 2.96 | 2.22 | 2.57 | 2.61 |
Among businesses reporting changes to staff travel, views are more negative than positive (52% negative vs 22% positive). OX2 stands out as especially negative, with 69% saying the changes have been negative and only 11% positive; OX1 is much more mixed (41% negative vs 34% positive).
Base: Respondents who say the congestion charge affected how staff travel to work. Topline findings = 170; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 96; No/less frequent mobile workers = 74; Shop-front businesses = 47; Other businesses = 123.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Very positive | 9% | 13% | 5% | 4% | 11% |
| Fairly positive | 12% | 16% | 8% | 13% | 12% |
| Neither positive nor negative | 26% | 27% | 24% | 15% | 30% |
| Fairly negative | 35% | 30% | 42% | 38% | 34% |
| Very negative | 17% | 15% | 20% | 30% | 12% |
| NET: Positive | 22% | 28% | 14% | 17% | 24% |
| NET: Negative | 52% | 45% | 62% | 68% | 46% |
| NET: Difference | -31pp | -17pp | -49pp | -51pp | -23pp |
| Mean score | 2.62 | 2.81 | 2.36 | 2.23 | 2.76 |
Among businesses where staff travel has changed, views are more negative among no/less frequent mobile-worker businesses (62%) than among frequent mobile-worker businesses (45%). Shop-front businesses are also notably more negative than other businesses, with a much higher share saying staff travel changes have been very negative (68% versus 46%).
Re-contact
Re-contact about this research
May we contact you again about this research, if needed?
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; OX1 = 100; OX2 = 82; OX3 = 49; OX4 = 69.
| Response | Topline findings | OX1 | OX2 | OX3 | OX4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes, you may contact me | 46% | 46% | 43% | 39% | 54% |
| No, please do not contact me again | 54% | 54% | 57% | 61% | 46% |
Just under half of respondents are willing to be contacted again about the research (46%), while 54% are not. OX4-primary businesses are the most willing to be re-contacted (54%), while OX3 businesses are least willing (39%).
Base: All respondents. Topline findings = 300; Mobile workers several times a week or more = 154; No/less frequent mobile workers = 146; Shop-front businesses = 79; Other businesses = 221.
| Response | Topline findings | Mobile workers weekly+ | No/less frequent mobile workers | Shop-front businesses | Other businesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes, you may contact me | 46% | 49% | 42% | 48% | 45% |
| No, please do not contact me again | 54% | 51% | 58% | 52% | 55% |
Willingness to be re-contacted is slightly higher among businesses with frequent mobile-worker travel than among other businesses. Shop-front businesses and other businesses are very similar on this measure.