Two new bars are coming to the High Street, Abingdon, and both now have coloured vinyl displays on the windows. The Old Chemist’s green vinyl advertises books, cocktails, and gin, and food. It was Smiths the Chemist, and contains the old Abingdon library reading room.

Then directly over the road, where Stan James the bookmakers was, the blue vinyl says Mercer Bar is coming soon. The building is already looking much smarter without the big pigeon nets covering the top floor.

The two new bars join The Narrows, and The Grapes on the High Street.

La Baguette has re-opened in new premises on Bath Street this morning – Wednesday 9th January. They look forward to welcoming customers – old and new. La Baguette closed in the Market Place last August, and have re-opened in what was previously Salinas Cafe.

2018 was a good year with more business gains than losses in Abingdon town centre.

Press on Changes in 2018 for a bigger (pdf) version of the map showing the changes.

Key:
Green is a shop that was vacant at the start of the year which is now occupied.
Yellow means a change of business.
Red is a vacant shop premises that was occupied at the start of the year.

Change in 2007 ( 6 green, 5 yellow, 10 red ) – Net Loss 4
Change in 2008 ( 10 green, 8 yellow, 13 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2009 ( 9 green, 6 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Gain 3
Change in 2010 ( 9 green, 6 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Gain 4
Change in 2011 ( 2 green, 8 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Loss 3
Change in 2012 ( 6 green, 1 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 1
Change in 2013 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2014 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2015 ( 6 green, 8 yellow, 6 red ) – Net Change 0
Change in 2016 ( 10 green, 5 yellow, 5 red ) – Net Gain 5
Change in 2017 ( 3 green, 6 yellow, 7 red ) – Net Loss 4
Change in 2018 ( 7 green, 6 yellow, 4 red ) – Net Gain 3

Welcome to:
Abingdon Bistro – may not be the final name
Abingdon Fish & Chips

Bulgarian Coffee and Restaurant – Tansi

Empire Tailoring Services
Children’s Air Ambulance
H&H Nail Salon
MIU Beautique
Pablo Lounge

Wysteria Avenue

Goodbye to:
Dorothy Perkins
La Baguette
Rosie’s Tea Room
Thomas Cook
Wildwood Kitchen

Move to new premises:
Galaxy Techno
The Nursery Shop

Change to similar business in same premises:
Abingdon Spice (replaces Majliss)
Abingdon Barbers (replaces Istanbul Barbers)
Seems Oriental (replaces Oriental Food Mart)

Please note Helen’s Beauty Work Shop has not closed. They have relocated to 21 West St Helens Street, OX14 5BL,
Within Ebony-Marni. For appointments/enquirers please call 07468419674, email helensbeautyworkshop@gmail.com or go to our Facebook page.

(let me know any mistakes in this annual roundup)

There was a trend in 2018 to use Abingdon in name changes and new businesses.

It is goodbye (Sunday 23rd December 2018) to Rosie’s Tea Room after eight years of good tea and scone service to the people of Abingdon, and visitors. Rosie’s Tea Room took over the premises in West St Helen Street previously used by Frugal Food.

It was not just a tea room but also provided evening entertainment such as knit and natter, pudding nights, and small performances without a microphone. The current proprietors were planning to hand over Rosie’s tea pots to somebody else but it appears the landlord has another better offer for the premises to become a restaurant.

(2nd picture from Rosie’s Facebook page where there are over 131 comments from people about the closure).