There have been a few changes along Bath Street recently. Empire Tailoring Services has now closed. Jo / Yusuf, the proprietor was clearing out the shop today and will be relocating to London. He offered tailoring and alterations for ladies and gentlemen, but also helped with all kinds of sewing jobs — from cushions and curtains to sewing on military uniform badges.

Meanwhile, a newer addition to Bath Street continues to appear in the former Lounge café. The pop-up shop there has become a place to browse bric-a-brac, vintage items, pictures, tools and plant containers.

Scaffolding has also gone up the full height of the four-storey building above Papa Johns.

The Blue Boar seems to be doing well, after its recent refurb and reopening, and was busy when I walked by this afternoon.

I have already mentioned the traditional butcher’s shop being actively worked on ahead of opening, and another premise that has a “Grand Reveal – Opening Soon” notice in the window that has been there for a while.

Thanks to the person who dropped me a note that began with ‘Since your last visit to Bath Street…’ and ended with the ‘St Helens Wharf closure for 5 days from 8 June.’ I will get to that soon.

Inside The Finishing Touch today, it was cool and calm: past the sky-blue boat and fish ornaments, beneath colourful open umbrellas, through fragrance, jewellery, candles and handbags. The shop has colour-themed displays that at Christmas become a wonderland.

Now, after 23 years on Stert Street, the owners have announced that the shop will close at the end of July. The owner is ‘retiring’, while her daughter is moving on to ‘a new adventure.’

The news brought a response from passers by, with one describing it as one of Abingdon’s best independent shops. They remembered the Christmas displays, wrapped presents, window displays, and a place to go to for gifts for friends and family.

Its closure will be a loss for Abingdon town centre. In the meantime, there’s 25% off full-priced items. Before it closes, there’s still time for a final finishing touch.

The future of the Abbey Cinema in Abingdon town centre has been secured with the cinema operators purchasing the freehold of Abbey Hall from Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council.

The Town Council says the sale fulfils its commitment to retain a cinema in the town centre while saving the council the cost of maintaining the building. Maintenance costs had been estimated at between £2.5m and £3m.

For the Abbey Cinema company, led by Sue and Ian Wiper, the purchase brings certainty after operating on a series of short leases since opening in 2018. They have also restored and reopened and still run the Regal cinema in Evesham.

The change allows other projects to happen. Planned improvements include better disabled access, changes to separate the cinema from the Guildhall, improvements to the building’s appearance, and the creation of a second, smaller screen.

The cinema also hosts charity events, school projects, talks, and special screenings.

The Town Council says the deal will benefit the neighbouring Guildhall as it will access a new kitchen.

The sale involved complex legal arrangements due to conditions attached when the Town Council acquired the building from the district council, including covenants and protections covering future use of the site.

At Added Ingredients, Jill continues to sell wines and food products, including these local honeys.

In the other half of the shop, Martin sells his photographs and has a growing range of second-hand cameras, lenses, and other photographic equipment. He says there is renewed interest in film cameras from people wanting to return to more authentic photography – pre-digital manipulation, and pre-AI.

Martin is also taking pre-orders for his Abingdon jigsaw puzzle.