Category Archives: Business

Second Abingdon Charity Shop re-opens

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Shop fronts
Cancer Research Uk re-opened today in Abingdon. They are the second charity shop in Abingdon to re-open.

They have put in place safety measures to stop the transmission of the virus and keep people safe. Only 4 customers will be allowed in the shop at any time and shop displays allow 2 meter social distancing.
Shop fronts
Another shop that has a new look is the ex-Ladbrokes. It will open as Abingdon Nail Spa. The nail bar that was in West St Helen Street are moving and upgrading.

The name Abingdon does carry a certain significance. It is also used by Abingdon Health, in York, who are working on a Covid-19 antibody test.

Abingdon Town Centre is now Half Open

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A dozen or more shops have reopened since Monday.
Half Open
In Bath Street, they included Masons,
Half Open
Clockwork Dragon,
Half Open
and Eileen.

Eileen have a closing down sale that began a few days before the lockdown and is continuing now.

About half the shops in Abingdon town centre are now open. Most of the charity shops are still closed. The hairdressing / nail businesses are closed. Catering (that are not doing takeaway) are also closed.

Of the bigger clothes shops New Look was open with a welcome back sale. Fat Face, M & Co, and Peacock are still closed. They have started re-opening some stores elsewhere.
Half Open
Traffic at the Ock Street / Stratton Way lights was beginning to stretch back to the junction with West St Helen Street at times.

So called ‘Non Essential’ Shops to re-open from Monday June 15th

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Non Essential
The so called ‘non essential’ shops have permission to open from June 15th.
Non Essential
The shops have all been certified as ready to open after working out their social distancing, and cleaning measures.
Non Essential
Opening hours will be less than usual in many shops.
Non Essential
The almost three months closure of businesses has meant they had to look, during the closure, to online sales, deliveries, or pick and collect.

The list of those businesses allowed to open include:

  • Betting shops
  • Charity shops
  • Clothing shops
  • Gift shops
  • Mobile Phone shops
  • Art galleries

Not all shops in these categories will want to open immediately.

Hairdressers, beauty salons, pubs, and restaurants will have to wait until at least July before they open. They involve closer contact.
Non Essential
There is a one way system on the Market Place – managed by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, but not in places managed by other authorities or companies.

The last newsagent

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The last newsagent
The last dedicated small newsagent in Abingdon has closed. That makes 4 closures in the last year.

It was on Northcourt Road, near a Co-op supermarket that also sells newspapers. Newsagents have been closing down across Britain with competition from supermarkets and petrol stations. Many people now get their news online.

WH Smith continue to operate and sell newspapers and magazines, and much more besides.