The biggest change to the Abbey shopping centre happening this year will be the demolition of 5 units and the erection of 2 larger two-storey shops in their place. The new shops will stretch back to the road and be as deep as the Co-op (ex Somerfields). Looking at the picture above the dark Dream Doors van will be inside one of the new shops. (I had not quite taken that in until today talking to NC).

Unit  29 will be demolished (was Abingdon Gift Centre until moved). Unit 30 will be demolished (was West End news until moved)

Unit  31 will be demolished. Unit 32 will be demolished (and so YMCA will move).

Unit 33 will be demolished (currently a temporary let to Calendar Club but was once Stead and Simpson). Unit 34 will stay and be refurbished (vacated by The Lemon Plaice anyway).

From this angle on Wilsham Road the Old Gaol looks much as it always has.

From Abingdon Bridge the new accommodation, next door, is more obvious.

I have no hard news on progress but building work continues. By now restaurant groups may have been invited to tender for the three restaurants,  and some of the luxury apartments may have been sold.

A detail of the previous picture shows a heron watching from an undisturbed spot – reflected in the water.

The final one is from the garden of St Ethelwolds.

The view from East St Helen Street to the new flats of the Old Gaol development looks quite imposing. This is the view from the walled garden of one Abingdon’s oldest houses.  The new flats will look better when the scaffold is down, but it seems an imposition on people living down that side of the street.

Large posters have appeared in the windows fronting Bridge Street. One thing they mention is  theoldgaol.com, a website launched on 1st August, which has details about the properties and what prospective buyers can enjoy if they move to “Abingdon on Thames”.

The website has a gallery of pictures of the development, and a virtual tour of how it will all look.

In the virtual tour this building is cleaned up with decorative windows. People are seated inside and alongside in the conservatory where the old entrance used to be.

Finally to quote theoldgaol.com website about the designated public areas “… attractive pedestrian walkways linking Bridge Street to East St Helen Street will ensure easy access within the Town Centre.

The new restaurant quarter comprises 11,848 sq ft of flexible space that provides for up to three or four restaurant premises. External seating is available for each unit overlooking either the River Thames or within the attractive courtyard.

Throughout the year the public gardens and courtyard will be able to host Art & Craft exhibitions, open-air theatre productions, picnics, festivals and weddings (subject to the appropriate licenses).”