Michael sent some pictures of Bella Rita’s new Italian ceramic shop next to Seeneys in Stratton Way. He says they could do with some publicity – not many people have found them yet.

They’ve got some nice designs, mainly fruit, vegetables, flowers etc. and Christmas designs but some more artistic items. They also have leather handbags.

He says I’m now the proud owner of the large blue plate in the window display!

Back in 2007 Tesco wanted to expand the store to use the old garden centre. The garden centre was closed 10 years ago in 2011 and has been loosing roof tiles since then.

Two years ago Travelodge proposed putting a hotel on the site. Now, rival chain, Premier Inn have adapted the plans and have got planning permission for a hotel with 85 rooms.

There is already a Premier Inn half a mile away behind the Ock MIll Beefeater restaurant.

The VWHDC (Vale of White Horse District Council) planning committee unanimously approved the application for an Aldi store on the Wootton Road.

Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council supported the application as did local councillors speaking at the meeting. 290 people wrote in supporting the application. 13 were against.

The main advantage to locals is a large store nearer north Abingdon and Whitecross and Wootton, which should cut down on the need to travel, and could cut down on traffic round Abingdon.

The main concerns were cycling and access. The current cycle path is used by school children coming from Wootton, and area, and will not be expanded to the recommended width for such a development. The cycle path will also be impeded by the new store junctions. The right turn out of the store could also cause queues.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby said this development does mean a change of policy for VWHDC who in recent years have ensured new supermarkets were built in town centres, not out of town, for reasons of town centre vitality. The empty Peacock store in Abingdon town centre could be expanded to 929 sq.m (currently 738 sq.m). The new Aldi is 1,315 sq.m.

I saw the large posters in the window. ‘SALE Everything must go!’

The sad news is that after 31 years Prices Stationers are to close.

The posters had been put up on Saturday night. Some people had learned through Facebook. Monday morning at Prices was manic. By the time we saw the poster it had calmed down and there was time for tears.

Marian was there stocking up on sketch pads. My wife stocked up on acrylic paints. I got a large notebook for a diary.

It was one of the best of Abingdon shops. The people behind the counter were friends. Running a business like that does not allow much family time or holiday time. There are also problems of trying to make enough money from retail in 2021. And some of us at this time in life are getting older and need to slow down.

Thankyou to Prices for being there for 31 years.