Most of us in Abingdon woke this morning to frosted grass and icy puddles. But two of our bookshops have had snow.

At The Bookstore in Bury Street, winter has taken full hold of the window display. Snowdrifts, sparkling reindeer and hibernating creatures make it look as though a blizzard has blown through the shop.

At Mostly Books, on Stert Street, snow is falling. Their window features a painted scene celebrating ‘Tell Your Dog I Love Them’, created by the book’s own author-illustrator, Harriet Lowther who will be there on December 6th. Mostly Books often invite artists to create street art in their window. I wonder whether they ever replace the glass and sell the originals like Banksy’s.

Their blackboard also reminds us that the season of stories in warm corners is upon us.

Over the past year, three local businesses have been moving between premises. Mez House first joined Café Aroma in its High Street location; La Bag’tte moved into Mez House’s former premises; and more recently La Bag’tte has moved in with the other two.

Bringing three brands under one roof must reduce costs. It also means you can now pop in for coffee and a baguette during the day, and a Lebanese restaurant in the evening — all in the same premises.

Added Ingredients is moving back into its old home – bringing with it a wide range of wines and food.

Ove the past couple of years, the premises has been home to two different beer sellers, each running their own bar. The most recent, time-shared the space with Martin, who displayed and sold his photographs of Abingdon and other subjects.

Now Jill and Added Ingredients are back in the shop, selling wines and food once again – at least until the new year, possibly longer.

The Broad Face in Abingdon, which closed in August while seeking new management, has now reopened. A new team took over and the pub has been open again since Monday — with live music this evening.

The Old Anchor Inn also closed for a few days but is open again tonight.