Barclays have sent letters to customers of the Abingdon Marcham Road branch to say that the branch is closing on the 10th February 2021. They are closing other branches including those at Botley and Didcot. The Barclays at The Square in Abingdon must still have enough visitors as it is kept open.

The main reasons, given by the bank, why the Abingdon Marcham Road is closing:
• Customer visits have gone down over the last 2 years
• 82% of customers have other ways of banking, and this percent has increased
• 57% of this branch’s customers have been using nearby branches
• 29 customers use this branch exclusively for their banking

At the Fairacres retail park, across the Marcham Road, a new planning application P20/V2809/FUL requests that the 3 remaining units (of the phase 2 development) will need an exterior garden centre. The application mentions Homebase. So if this goes ahead,  in late 2021, it will mean Homebase are returning with a brand new store taking the last 3 new units.

It was Halloween today and a local shop have a closing down sale. Abingdon Sports supply a wide variety of sportswear and equipment. The staff also have a lot of experience. Abingdon Sports were previously known as Touchwood Sports, and have been in Abingdon since the 1960s, first in the Vineyard, and then in the High Street since the 1970s.

Going into town today people will have noticed that two major clothing shops in Abingdon have closing down sales. M&Co announced in August that they were shutting 47 stores. M&Co will be closing their Abingdon, Market Place, store in about four weeks time.

The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, which includes Peacocks, called in the administrator yesterday. The Abingdon shop now has Closing Down Sale signs.

Both retailers have found the past seven months very difficult. They had to shut their stores in March due to the pandemic. M&Co reopened in June, and Peacocks in August – later than most shops.

Walking round the town centre this afternoon I noticed two new restaurants and a pop up wedding shop.

In High Street, Que Pasa will be openings as a Spanish Tapas bar and Mediterranean Restaurant and wine bar .

Al Mulino will be a takeaway pizzeria in Bath Street.

In Bury Street is The One Stop Wedding Shop – a pop up shop. Some weddings have been put on hold because of the restriction on numbers, but not all.

P.S. 1 Stert Street, The ex TSB bank, is getting painted.