Category Archives: Business

The Magic Midget becomes The Roaring Raindrop

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The Midget pub in Abingdon is set to reopen on Friday, December 13th, 2024, under a new name: The Roaring Raindrop. The new name pays tribute to the last record-breaking MG car made in Abingdon.

The old name honoured the record-breaking 750cc MG ‘Magic’ Midget cars of the 1930s, produced in Abingdon. It was a clever name as MG appears in both Magic and Midget.

The pub has been closed for a revamp and rebranding following an online petition signed by over 1,000 people who objected to the name ‘The Midget’ which when applied to small people is insulting. The name was changed from ‘The Magic Midget’ to ‘The Midget’ in about 2002.

The address of the pub is The Roaring Raindrop, Midget Close, Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

Is Taping a Banana to a Wall Art?

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Step into a certain local hair salon on Stert Street, and you’ll find more than just stylish haircuts. There’s a work of contemporary art: a banana, suspended mid-wall by a strip of duct tape.

The inspiration came from the world-famous duct-taped banana by Maurizio Cattelan, which sold for $6.24 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York last Wednesday.

While the Abingdon version might not get such a price tag, it’s priceless for sparking laughter and conversation among customers.

Abingdon Homebase Staff Face Uncertainty as company falls into administration

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Homebase in Abingdon is facing an uncertain future. The current store opened three years ago after the Fairacres phase 2 redevelopment, and replaced an older Homebase at the same location.

The company has gone into administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk. 70 stores have been sold, and 49 will continue to operate while negotiations with potential buyers are ongoing.

It’s unclear whether the Abingdon store is among the 70 sold or the 49 with a less certain future. Staff have been put on notice that their jobs are at risk of redundancy, and are facing a worrying time just before Christmas.

New Pub Opens in Abingdon

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A new pub, the Earl of Abingdon, opened its doors last night in the town centre.

Located in the Coxeters building, the Earl occupies half of the downstairs space. Another part is being converted into a higher-end bar called the Countess, with separate entrance, which is expected to open by the end of November for Christmas functions.

The Earl features a large bar area with screens.

There is also a separate lounge area equipped with electronics, and a dartboard that can be used for quizzes. There are no plans for Strattons style nightclub.

The Earl is being operated by the same team that previously ran the Grapes pub. The Grapes has a planning application for a partial rebuild and renovation, including the addition of accommodation and a reconfiguration of the bar area. So that is one for the future.