Beyond the empty tables outside the Boundary House

the sun sets.

It was the last sunset for this blackbird.

Looking through the door I can see the words ‘Fairtrade Champions’, ‘Local Harvest’, and Chilled. Empty shelves are coming out of cardboard boxes all ready for use. The new Co-op is due to open on January 22nd 2009.

But look on That Ginger Guys Blog to see the empty shelves at Woolworths being sold off. The window shows 7 days remaining. The Abingdon store closes on the 6th Jan 2009. The Didcot store closes on the 2nd.

This picturesque bridge between Saint Helen’s Mill, and Mill Paddock, could well be demolished by this time next year.

( John sent me the second less-known view of the same. )

The Environment Agency suggests that it is removed as a flood prevention measure because it created a blockage during the July 2007 floods.

This is the state of the town centre at the end of 2008 (press on image for a bigger version and if it that looks grainy press again the (+) magnifying glass or whetever resize icon appears in your browser). (Alternatively https://www.abingdonblog.co.uk/images/abingdon2007.gif is last year’s map and https://www.abingdonblog.co.uk/images/abingdon2008.gif is this year’s. )

Red is a vacant shop premises that was occupied at the start of the year.
Yellow means change of ownership.
Green is a shop that was vacant at the start of the year which is now occupied.

Change in 2007 (10 red, 6 green, 5 yellow) – Net Loss 4
Change in 2008 (13 red, 10 green, 8 yellow) – Net Loss 3

Pending, but not shown here, are the imminent closure of Woolworths and Halfords, and possibly Adams who have gone into administration today, and the opening of the Co-op, including the move of the Post Office.

Not suprisingly, given the state of house sales after the credit crunch, estate agents have been merging offices.

Hodsons have closed their smaller lettings office in High Street, and concentrated at their Ock Street Office.

Bucknell and Ballard took over Adkins, and closed their Bath Street Office, to put all their operations in the High Street office. Charles Lawson have been ‘closed for refurbishment’ , operating more from their Oxford office, but are still using the shop front to display properties.

Elsewhere, also on the way out, Klick closed earlier this month, when the parent company went into receivership. It was also a goodbye earlier in 2008 to Jennifer Gerrard Gallery, de Paaw, Poldeli, Cargo, Birthdays, and Stead&Simpson.

On the positive side, Local Roots opened, as did Londis, the Thai Orchid Oriental Supermarket, and recently: Ask, Coffee Republic, Sweets and Chocolate, and the Honey Pot.

Of the movers: Outdoor Traders moved into larger premesis, as did Scrivins (previously known as Russel Caulton). Cafe Zeko expanded. Centre Stage moved from Bath Street to Coxeters, and Faulkner Photography moved from Coxeters to Lombard Street.

(Let me know any mistakes or omissions. This does not get proof read except by you)