After 30 years of serving the Abingdon community, Seeneys Pet Supplies announced at the start of February (on Facebook) that it will be closing its doors permanently at the end of March. They thanked their loyal customers and dedicated staff for their support and said this decision was difficult. But ever-rising costs and falling revenue have made it impossible for them to continue operating the Abingdon store.

The closure of the Abingdon store does not affect the Weston-on-the-Green store. The Abingdon store will hold a closing down sale.

The neighbouring business Bella Rita, which occupies a different section of the building, has also had a closing down sale.

Lottie’s Bakeaway in Abingdon turned one year old today! The shop was decorated outside with bright balloons and had a heart-shaped anniversary cake to celebrate. Customers who stopped by at lunchtime got a free glass of bubbly to toast the occasion.

Charlotte, the owner, has enjoyed her first year in Abingdon. The business was established early in 2019 and then moved to the Stert Street shop in 2023.

At Lottie’s Bakeaway, you can find freshly made cakes, and cookies. Charlotte also makes special occasion cakes, whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, or just because. There are cupcake parties for the kids to get creative.

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.