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.

The Homebase store opened this morning at the Fairacres Retail Park and will be open seven days a week – Monday – Saturday (9 am – 8 pm) and Sunday (10 am – 4 pm).

They had: kitchen units, bathrooms, furniture, storage units and flexible wardrobes, gardening and outdoor, painting and decorating, tools, flooring, lighting, and probably much more if you look (they had sewing kits and cotton at the end of one aisle).

The Fairacres Retail Park was demolished and rebuilt in two phases. The old Homebase was demolished during phase 2. It has been a nice surprise that Homebase has returned, and a pleasure to look round the smart new Homebase this evening. There were people on hand, including the store manager, to answer questions.

Cosener’s House is a conference centre owned by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) in Abingdon. The STFC is a government and industry-funded organisation which runs some important scientific research facilities.

The STFC does not have exclusive use of Cosener’s House. The facilities are open for weddings, conferences, rooms, and meals. After going to the Becca Caldecott exhibition the other day I bought a coffee and looked around the grounds. There were a few other people at tables. On leaving, a larger party had started to gather.

Over the last two years, work has been done where the Cosenor’s House gardens look out on the River Thames. There is now a wharf and a stronger river wall.

The Victorian grotto has also been strengthened this year and is a safe place to enjoy the view.

Homebase will be opening its store in the Fairacres retail park later in September. Some of the staff, made redundant when the old store was closed for demolition in 2019, could well return.

The store takes the last three units at the Fairacres phase 2 redevelopment. Fairacres is full. The new garden center was an addition to the original development and is completed and being filled with stock.