Marks & Spencer (M&S) will open a foodhall at the Fairacres Retail Park in Abingdon as part of a wider plan to open twelve new stores in former Homebase sites. The Abingdon store is one of the first confirmed locations and will open in late 2025 subject to planning permission.

The other empty unit in the Fairacres Retail Park was filled when Wren Kitchens opened a showroom on 16th May 2025, relocating from the Botley Road in Oxford. The unit was previously Carpetright.

A new Vietnamese Café and Noodle Bar on Stert Street opened for a soft launch on 26th April. After a few small adjustments, it’s now been open for a couple of weeks and is doing well.

There was once a Vietnamese café called Ha Noi on Stert Street — named after Vietnam’s capital city.  The new cafe’s name Cây Khê is more rural and poetic and means starfruit tree.

A new barber has opened in Abingdon, on the High Street, founded by two barbers who have worked in the town for 6 and 12 years respectively. Drawing on their knowledge and client base, they’ve joined forces to launch their own business. They provide another option to anybody looking to get their hair cut in Abingdon.

Justin and Samantha have opened the Craftsman Taproom in the former Added Ingredients stop on Stert Street, as a venue for locally brewed beer in Abingdon.

Justin, a local carpenter and joinery lecturer, began brewing at home and has steadily grown his craft, selling at local markets and beer festivals. One of his standout brews, Scooby Doo, was the first to sell out at the recent Oxford Beer Festival. He also has a new beer called ‘Magic Midget’.

The Taproom will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 5pm to 10.30pm, Saturdays from 10am to 10.30pm, Sundays from 11am to 6pm, and Bank Holiday Mondays (there are two in May) from 11am to 6pm. On its opening night on May 1st, the venue was full of visitors.

Newcomer was on hand to capture the moment, and sent me photos of Justin and Samantha, beer enthusiasts Steve and Charles from CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), who enjoyed the beer, and Justin’s dad in sartorial splendour.

Wine is also available for those who prefer it. The shop will still feature Martin’s photographs during some day times.

Newcomer added that Justin is a 5th Dan in Karate – so best not to cause any trouble at closing time.