Category Archives: Business

Lloyds to Shut Abingdon Branch


Lloyds Bank has announced the closure of its Abingdon branch on 8 Ock Street. The closure is scheduled for July 24th, 2024.

Lloyds Banking Group announced plans to close 176 branches across the UK in 2024 and 2025. The closures reflect a national trend towards online banking. The Didcot and Oxford branches will remain.

The closure is likely to be a blow to the elderly or those less comfortable with technology. Lloyds say after the branch closes, a Community Banker will be available to support customers in the local area one day a week.

In 2023, Lloyds were granted planning permission to demolish the existing rear extension and build 8 new flats without parking. The commercial unit on Ock Street will be reduced in size.

This follows the closure of Barclays, over the road from Lloyds, in February 2024, where the signs and cash machine are gone.

Renovation of The Punchbowl


The Punchbowl had scaffolding up since mid-February, while the exterior was patched up and painted. Last week, it was closed for an internal makeover and decoration. The pub opened again yesterday and looks very smart now, thanks to the efforts of the landlady, Vanessa.

The pub has two rooms, a larger front bar accessible from the Market Place, and a traditional snug with wood panelling, low beams, and fixed bench seating, accessible from East St Helen Street. According to Inns and Alehouses of Abingdon 1550 – 1978 (J Smith and J Carter ), the pub’s earliest recorded date was 1775.

New Shop in Bath Street


A new shop opened in Bath Street yesterday, next to Tiffins.

It sells a variety of foods and drinks, English, Turkish, and Arabic, with some interesting cakes and bread. It also has clothes and household items. The shop also has a photocopier that costs 15p for B&W and 39p for colour.

They were open late this evening and will put up their opening hours soon. Good luck to them.

New High Street Shop Sparks Curiosity


A new shop on Abingdon’s High Street has its shelves stocked. It is where Conway opticians used to be. This newcomer still needs to unveil its name or open, but shelves are lined with vape products, crisps, and sweets. There are also phone cables. An array of hookahs (bongs) takes centre stage in the window. We are no longer quite so shocked by such things here in Abingdon. The new barber has some in the window. Abingdon’s last town centre newsagent was the first to display hookahs in the window.