It is sad to see a house being allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair on the Oxford Road in Abingdon. This house is on land that has enough space for two houses and since it will need so much work doing to put it right, building two houses makes sense from a developers point of view – as an investment. But to me it still looks at interesting house. which made a good home, and could have done so still.
The picture from about 1980 shows what was the Thames View light industrial park, with the Abbey Grounds behind.
Most of that area has already been redeveloped but some of the industrial units were kept going for a while – as it is was thought good to try to keep employment centres near the town centre.
The last units were demolished last year, and earth movers have been back this year reducing the pile of rubble. Plans are probably on the way for what will happen to this land. But as yet nothing has come into the public domain as far as I am aware. Thames View is probably the last substantial area of land near to the town centre that could be built upon.
Good to see the ex Hathaways shop is now in a fit state to become a shop again. Looks like Connells next door is also being refurbished.
Grants from the Joint Environmental Trust (JET) can be used towards shop window improvements.
Its seems as if the Joint Environmental Trust is no longer quite so joint. It was set up as a partnership between district and town council – a way to work together to improve the town. Last year it was handed over for the town council to run. This year the leader of the district council said “We’re taking away the blanket grant to Town Council in favour of considering funding for appropriate projects on a case by case basis.“
Work has been continuing over the weekend at the building previously known as the Ox Pub , to turn it into a Tesco Express. The opening date must be imminent.
Chiller cabinets can be see where there once was a bar.
Best One, a family run convenience store, two doors down, with just The Magic Wok separating their business from the new Tesco Express, will soon know the effect on their trade.