Press on Changes in 2023 for a bigger (pdf) map version showing the changes.

Key:
Green is a vacant shop at the start of the year and is now occupied.
Yellow means a business change or name change.
Red is a shop occupied at the start of the year and now vacant.

Change in 2007 ( 6 green, 5 yellow, 10 red ) – Net Loss 4
Change in 2008 ( 10 green, 8 yellow, 13 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2009 ( 9 green, 6 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Gain 3
Change in 2010 ( 9 green, 6 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Gain 4
Change in 2011 ( 2 green, 8 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2012 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 1
Change in 2013 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2014 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2015 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2016 ( 10 green, 5 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Gain 5
Change in 2017 ( 3 green, 6 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 4
Change in 2018 ( 7 green, 6 yellow, 4 red ) – Net Gain 3
Change in 2019 ( 4 green, 3 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2020 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 8 red) – Net Loss 2
Change in 2021 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 8 red) – Net Loss 2
Change in 2022 ( 4 green, 2 yellow, 5 red) – Net Loss 1
Change in 2023 ( 9 green, 6 yellow, 3 red) – Net Gain 6

Welcome to:

The Dog Spot

Govand Barbers

Keystone – Abingdon Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub

Lotti’s Bakeaway

Oxford Grazing Deli

Pappy’s ‘Back A Yard’

Tech Repair Clinic

Thomas Cleary & Sons Flooring Specialists

Goodbye to:
Udon Thai Market
Spruce (currently closed but likely to reopen under new management)

Moved inside Town Centre:
Abingdon Thai Massage
Orange Frog Mortgages

Change to business in same premises
A-Plan became Howdens
Established Barbers became Bubs Barbers
Flaming Grill became Tripoli Lebanese
Karims Trims became Turkish Barber Abingdon
Robert Stanley became Bayfields

(let me know of any mistakes in this annual roundup)

It is over three years since The Old Chemist business closed, and the windows were boarded up ten days ago. A legal notice has been stuck to the door, saying that the landlord has changed the locks and taken back possession. It gives the leaseholder fourteen days to apply to retrieve what is left inside, or their possessions will be sold or disposed of. The Abingdon Herald had more details of the history of The Old Chemist Gin Bar at https://www.heraldseries.co.uk/news/24003683.abandoned-gin-bar-abingdon-repossessed/.

The clock ticks for the old leaseholder, but this will begin a new chapter for a building that once housed Abingdon Library and Smiths the Chemist. A prescription of business know-how and a dose of creativity will see the building up and about.

Avicenna, the chemist chain who took over Smiths, is the landlord.

Belinda has had a shop in West Saint Helen Street for ten years and, to the disappointment of her many customers, has decided to close the business now that the lease has ended.

Known particularly for her homemade jewellery and ornamental items, Belinda also does jewellery repairs.

After over ten years of six-day weeks, Belinda deserves a break, but she will carry on doing repairs from home to keep her hand in and because she enjoys the challenge.

Whilst she is sad to be closing, Belinda says she has thoroughly enjoyed being a small part of the town, and wishes to thank everyone who has supported her business over the years.

There will be a sale of the remaining stock and display cabinets and furniture in January.

A new takeaway/restaurant at Number 3 West St Helen Street offers Afro-Caribbean Cuisine. They have been open for about a week and had a trial run during the Abingdon Fair. I enjoyed my first meal this evening. The Curry Goat was tender, and the rice and peas were flavourful. Good luck to them in their new venture. Check out their menu at pappys.co.uk.