The shop on the High Street formerly known as ybuynu has changed to Abingdon Fashion. Previously people used to bring in nearly new clothes to be sold on, like a High Street Ebay, but now all the fashion is new and looks very spring like and summery.

The layout of the upstairs part of the shop is still recognisable from the days when Knights the bookshop used to be in this premises. Currently upstairs is being used for the remaining nearly new clothes, but soon both floors will be used for new Abingdon fashion.

It may look as if the Abbey Shopping Centre has taken a risk building new retail space in the middle of the longest economic downturn most of have known …

but a study done for the Vale of White Horse Council, predicting what retail is needed in the longer view up to 2029, says the space is needed, as well as a new large supermarket in the town centre.

Last week the vale published the additional papers underpinning the main Local plan Document to 2029. The retail study says “High street national multiples have increasingly sought larger modern shop units (over 200 sq.m).”

We will all be glad to get some news about how the new retail space is to be used. Some rectification work has happened during the first three months since the main work was completed.

The study also looks at the viability of cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys, and bingo halls in the Vale area. It says a 2 screen 400 seat cinema could be viable, anything smaller would not be.

Local people can respond to the plan with their own views of what will work and be viable.

At about 9 AM on Easter Sunday morning a hot air balloon floated over South Abingdon. Harry barked at the balloon as we walked up Healey Close.

Andrew photographed the same hot air balloon from Abingdon Bridge.

Meanwhile in the Masefield Play Park, Spike got much closer to the same hot air balloon.

Up in the balloon there was a photographer taking pictures for their company ‘Window on the World’ – a photographic company.

Paul Viney’s studio in West St Helen Street is closing at the end of the month. It has been there since it took over from the barbers that used to be there, called In Trim, about twelve years ago.

As well as weddings, and studio portraits, Paul is often to be seen at town events taking pictures so must have quite a collection of Abingdon life.