White Horse Exotics opened this morning.

They have many small and exotic animals in the back together with the vivariums, food, lighting, heatpads and other paraphnalia that goes with keeping small reptiles and insects.

There are also toy reptiles in the window display.

The shop is opposite Oxfam, on Stert Street, which also has an exotic window display.

Also of interest to lovers of the exotic east is the opening of The Oriental Food Markt on West St Helen Street.

Also, and I am not sure how exotic this will be, at the Northcourt Centre, Northcourt Road, Abingdon there is an Open Afternoon this Sunday, July 19th from 2.30 – 5 . 30 pm. Entry free! There will be demonstrations, fundraising, teas, and you can find out about the groups and clubs that use the Centre. You can also visit a local garden. ( £ 5 including tea and garden ). I will try to let you know on tomorrow’s blog.

The last of the shelves are piled in a Sims Metal Management container. Everything else has goes into the Chilton Waste container.

In just a few days the Bury Street store has been emptied of shelves and cabinets. The speed makes me wonder whether there is somebody already lined up willing to pay a higher rent – another supermarket.

I remember Aldi did want to open at Fairacres, but because of the Fairacres covenant were not allowed.

In their place there is a B&M who sell, among all their other household goods, a limited range of groceries – crisps, cereal, confectionery, and tins. Nothing fresh chilled or frozen.

Notag Fashions has recently closed. I read on the streetlife forum that the shop will be missed. It had some very loyal customers.

There is a license application in the window of the empty shop at the end of the precinct for sale of alcohol from midday to midnight.
The application is for a Wildwood Restaurant.

Not much has happened yet with the biggest unit in Bury Street – completed 2½ years ago. The perceived wisdom was that Abingdon needed bigger units to attract the National Chains.

The Abingdon Portal’s Business Directory still has Frend & Co the Jeweller at 3 West St Helen Street. They have since moved to near the Charter.

The shop is now being painted black. The sign should soon follow.

A few doors down. the town portal has Number 25 as The Honey Pot. There will be an Oriental Food Mart moving in there soon. Also black.

Meanwhile, over the road, the Sally Anne Cafe & Charity Shop no longer take donations. Volunteers will be calling it a day very soon.

At what was Lansbrough Lettings (now moved to 100 Ock Street), the plaster board has been stripped out to reveal stone walls beneath. Something could also be happening there.