This is the last weekend Stroll In will be open as they will be closing next week. Over the years Stroll In have provided kitchenware, hardware, toys, party things – all at a very reasonable price – things people needed. It was a shop only found in Abingdon.
Where will we hire electric wheelchairs now?
I’m sorry to see this, but it’s unsurprising given that poundland has recently opened.
I remember it being Ledgers before it was Stroll In…that probably gives away my age!
I must be a similar age to you, Ishtar, because I always think of it as Ledgers.
Shame it’s going. What (if anything) will come in it’s place?
A sad loss – but unfortunately it was one of Abingdon’s many hidden secrets – I could never understand why they (and Lewis Baker on Bridge Street who sell similar stuff) didn’t capitalise on the demise of Woolworth. A bit of marketing at that stage could have done wonders for their trade, but I guess margins may have just been too tight.
But its a prime location, lets hope an interesting retailer snaps it up – and wouldn’t it be nice if they opened up the blanked off windows onto Stert Street?
My wife Kate and I are both very sad to hear that Stroll-In is closing its doors. During the summers we have lived in Abingdon, Stroll-In and its marvelously-friendly staff have helped to make our stays a real pleasure. Whenever we wanted something, we always looked first at Stroll-In, and nearly always found what we were looking for!! Hail and fare thee well, friends.
Carl Fritz
Gainesville, Florida
It’s such a shame to see a local business squeezed out by the multiples. It was such a useful well-positioned shop – we’ll miss it.
a shop of legend!
i once furtively bought a dirty video there, got it home and of course it turned out to be tamer than the benny hill show.
That’s so sad I remember going to Stroll in with my girlfriends on our first unaccompanied trip into town. It was so exciting to go shopping without parents. The make up stand was our favourite place.
Shame, over the years my late parents always found what they needed in Stroll-in.
and if they could get it for you, even if only a small amount/peice was required.
We needed a non slip material for lining the shower, certain specifications set by social services, they provided a hemp ‘net’ with a ruberised coating.
thanks for everyones kind words about the shop,its a shame to see it go after so many years. had some good times working there x
CCC: I once bought a Benny Hill video there, and it was 3 hours of hard-core filth. Can we do a swap? I think you got my video, and vice versa.
Such a shame, but it has never been the same since Maureen left – have heard she wasn’t treated very well by owner, even tho’ she ran the shop – just deserts perhaps
I remember a lady that worked there for years, never knew her name, must have been Maureen. I thought she was the owner. Agree, it has not been the same since. On my last visit I found a big increase in prices, I thought it must be under new ownership. Has been very useful over the years, sorry to see it go, but the world keeps changing. Nothing lasts forever.
It will be very sad to see Stroll In(Ledgers as was) close I have to confess to wandering in from time to time for a trip down memory lane, Dad started the shop in the 70’s and much of my childhood, teenage years etc etc was spent stacking the shelves and washing the floor! In those days it was so busy you had to man the door, one customer in as one went out. All the staff are still dearly remembered -Marie, Diane, Ian, Brenda, Mrs Trippett, Linda are just of a few, were like family. So sorry to here its closing all the very best to Chris and all the staff.
I agree with the majority of comments left here but as an insider, thought i would leave my own. Turn back the clock a couple of years ago and guaranteed as soon as you stepped foot inside stroll-in you were greeted with a cheery smile and welcome. staff were always happy to assist and have valuable suggestions if they could not provide what was asked for. The place was always busy and OMG, xmas was chaos!- in a great way! unfortunately a few members of staff were very cruely either driven out in tears or badgered into leaving by the new management, who i like to add demoted the very lovable maureen to ‘floor assistant’ who was expected to do all the same things but on the minimum wage. A huge shock for regular customers and the then staff. A lot of people who used the shop have commented on being ‘tailed’ like criminals while browsing the store by the new staff who were often blatantly rude. So yes, while it is extremely sad to lose a store such as stroll-in, it just goes to show that regardless of an increase in prices, people will always return time and time again to a place where they are greeted by friendly, loveable and helpfull staff than shop elsewhere. so before everyone makes the presumption that poundland and the poundplus stores are heavily to blame (bearing in mind that one of these stores have the same supplier so there was in actual fact no need to be quite as extortionate in price hikes) it is the damn right greed, disrespect (particularly for the elder generation that were denied their daily chats because staff were ordered not to engage in any conversation other than stricly business anymore) and lack of willingness to help EVERYONE and not just the ones that looked like they had the money to shop in harrods, ultimately became the downfall in their new ‘family run’ concept. I am afraid this was totally predictable and utterly unnecessary. I will leave with the parting words of you reap what you sow and poor poor Marie, the only remaining staff member that was there to the end and still remained polite and helpful and most importantly friendly, may i wish you all the best for the future.
I am not at all suprised that this shop is closing, the staff are rude and the prices are disgusting! The old staff were really lovely and polite and the prices were great! It really does make me mad that people are blaming the poundshop and the ressesion on the closure, it has nothing to do with either of these as it managed for 25 years before the new people took over! The real reason for closure is the fact that you cannot come in, take over, be rude to customers and follow them around the store as if they are shop lifters! I have lived in Abingdon all of my life and shopped here for many years before it changed hands, also I know alot of Abingdon people and they feel the same as me so I do know what I am talking about 🙂
Oh and good luck to Marie for her future! She is one of the old staff 🙂
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Having worked for 23 years (to the day) and moving out of the area I was not at all surprised to here of Stroll-In Ltd demise and closure. The final management have now had there cumupance, simpathy for all of my old faithfull staff.
Lots of memories of original staff Joyce Trippet Marie Beasley Linda Fitchett Charmain Joan Kelly.