Homebase in Abingdon is facing an uncertain future. The current store opened three years ago after the Fairacres phase 2 redevelopment, and replaced an older Homebase at the same location.
The company has gone into administration, putting 2,000 jobs at risk. 70 stores have been sold, and 49 will continue to operate while negotiations with potential buyers are ongoing.
It’s unclear whether the Abingdon store is among the 70 sold or the 49 with a less certain future. Staff have been put on notice that their jobs are at risk of redundancy, and are facing a worrying time just before Christmas.
On 14 November 1539, Hugh Faringdon was hung, drawn and quartered in front of the gates of Abingdon Abbey whose last Abbot he was.
He was hung drawn and quartered at Reading Abbey, not Abingdon.
You are right, Mark, and I tried to delete the posting for that reason.
And this is relevant why?
I tried to withdraw my post because of my mistake.
It would have been a useful remembrance of sacrifice – and still is even if it happened in Reading rather than Abingdon.
The last Abbott of Abingdon was Thomas Rowland aka Pentecost. He and his fellow monks departed peaceably in 1538 and lived comfortably at Cumnor thereafter. https://www.abingdonabbeybuildings.co.uk/history/the-abbots-of-abingdon-abbey/
Homebase lost it’s way. In its day it used to be a decent “DIY” store, but this incarnation (in Abingdon at least) was all fluffy cushions and linen baskets. “Something and nothing” unfortunately. Every time I went in there for something garden/or DIY I’d leave in exasperation vowing never to return.
Was nice to have it return to Fairacres. But honestly, its simply no good for anything