1. Store Conversion (and change of Use)
An application has been submitted to convert the existing M&S unit at Fairacres into a food store, with associated car parking and external alterations. This proposal is opposed by the owners of Bury Street, who cite planning conditions that restrict out-of-centre food retail in order to safeguard Abingdon’s town centre. Consultation on this application has ended and a decision is expected by 15th September 2025.
It has a planning reference: P25/V1108/FUL
2. Mini-Roundabout Upgrade at Fairacres / Nuffield Way
A second application proposes installing a mini-roundabout at the junction between Fairacres Retail Park and Nuffield Way to improve traffic flow. Surveys commissioned on behalf of M&S show that, at peak times, delays are significantly longer for vehicles exiting Fairacres than for those leaving Nuffield Way. The proposed roundabout is expected to ease the exit from Fairacres. Comments on this application are mostly from people who use Nuffield Way regularly and highlight existing concerns about heavy traffic along Nuffield Way at peak times. There are also comments about whether a mini-roundabout will make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians or not. Consultation on this ends on 28th August 2025. So there is still time to respond.
It has a planning reference: P25/V1525/FUL
Maybe the owners of Bury St should spend more energy on encouraging businesses into the MANY vaccent lots in the shopping centre.
Maybe the owners of Bury Street should focus more on filling their many vacant lots.
Ridiculous opposing planning for m and s. The town centre is shot already and Abingdon can only improve with an m an s wherever it is. Planning agreed for Tesco and aldi and Lidl so cannot refuse m and s on those conditions. Disgraceful how can we ever compete with didcot and Witney when the planners take this attitude
My wife’s aunties cousin overheard in the pub that Scottish Widow – the people currently running down the precinct, previously didn’t want to have an M&S come to the help save the precinct and so stopped them coming…but now are against M&S opening elsewhere…
“They don’t like it up-em”, do they!?
Scottish Widow have had ample opportunity to “do right” by Abingdon and it’s precinct…don’t let them now stop Fairacres become the destination of choice too. They had their chance.
I agree their had their chance it 10 years in the making
Scottish Widows disappeared from the scene many years ago; after them we had Aberdeen Asset Management and the current leaseholders are Gentian Sunnyday.
Has the council gone bonkers? Abingdon has NO decent shops the council need to wake up an smell the coffee! Abingdon town center is a DUMP shops empty all we have is endless barbers……do we really need all these barbers an we all have an idea why thier are so many. Nail bar opening up in Bath street why? Regeneration is needed in Abingdon an fast!
Abingdon is a Town stepped in history and people visit for its history and beauty around, but there are far too many hair dressers there now wanting ‘cash only’ , which in my opinion, brings nothing to the Town.
The market square is beautiful and has a wonderful ‘culture of coffee shops and restaurants.
Putting an M and S there would detract from this and would be far better placed at Fairacres, which would give easy access for shoppers. There is a large Tesco nearby too !
The roads are already jammed, particularly with increased housing. I’d further comment that, Marcham is increasing in size and Fairacres is far more convenient to access, than in the centre of Abingdon, particularly with its limited parking .
What has the council got to do with this – they aren’t objecting to the M&S.
What shops do you want in Abingdon?
I works like a shop that sells loose ball bearings.
‘The council’, whichever one you mean, has no control at all over what shops are in Abingdon centre.
I don’t see why the owners of Bury St precinct would object to M & S opening a food hall. We already have 3 Tesco, 2 Co-op, Budgens, Aldi, Lidli and Waitrose, plus the independents in Reynolds Way and off Stratton Way, so l don’t see how an M & S will make any differnce to the town centre.
What has the council got to do with this – they aren’t objecting to the M&S.
What shops do you want in Abingdon?
Sorry, reply posted to the wrong comment. I agree with you, I disagree with Janet.
Neither “the Council” nor the precinct landlords can make businesses move into Abingdon. Those businesses have to perceive that there will be enough footfall to make it viable (and to be honest, perpetual social media whingeing about the state of the town doesn’t help that).
I think the issue is that the precinct landlords want a supermarket (and associated car park) in the town centre – ideally on the multi-storey car park site – to bring footfall into town which will make it easier for them to attract businesses to their premises. That will be why they are objecting.
PS I am not saying whether or not I personally think that is a desirable solution!
PS Typo on my part, Lidl not Lidli
Scottish Widow had the opportunity to have MnS in the precinct “as an anchor store” and poo-poo’d it.
They’re now just objecting because their nose has been put out…
Scottish Widow have no, zero, nada interest in offering anything above and beyond what they have already for the precinct. They don’t need decent, interesting or even full occupancy. Their business model works on a “60% LET is good enough” policy…which is roughly where it’s at.
I don’t believe Scottish Widows owns Bury St anymore. The letter submitted appears to suggest Poundland will be closing in due course. The letter objecting is badly written with several spelling mistakes and clearly wasn’t proofread before being submitted.
I think Poundland are in trouble nationally Ray so probably related to that
Yes but it appears this was already in traction before the recent issues.
I have carried out a lot of maintenance in Poundland over the years.
The shop is riddled with asbestos.
It will cost a fortune to remove.
Aren’t the Vale the Landlords of the precinct – letting it to the leaseholder that is “Scottish Aberdeen Sunnywhatever” then?
Anyway, the point still stands – there was interest, will and possibility when “Precinct phase 2 rejuvenation” was on the cards some 10 years ago or whatever.
They’ve missed the boat.
Freeholder rights (VoWHDC) are relatively limited given the leaseholders have a very long lease
I’d assume they’re still looking for an anchor tenant for the Library end of the precinct and Fairacres is therefore competition. I think it’s understandable that they would object but frankly ‘more competition’ isn’t a good reason to reject a planning application, and, in common with most people I’ve spoken with, I’d see an M&S as a good addition to the Fairacres site.
where shall i buy food in bury street then?
oh that would be nowhere – apart from which the rule was already overriidden when b&m and also aldi/ lidl i forget which opened on fairacres.
Quite a few food outlets on Bury Street, although appreciate no supermarket since the coop closed. Having said that coop on WSH St and Spar on High Street and Waitrose are all pretty close. If the landlords of Bury Street really want a supermarket there they’ll need to spend some money and provide an attractive site which a supermarket wants to lease.
Would be nice to see an M&S food hall! I’m all for variety and it would be a welcome change to the discount or standard supermarkets and would offer something a little more luxury (at a price no doubt) for choice.
If people are worried about losing out on market share they need to look at their own offerings and how they can better serve the people of Abingdon. Abingdonians are crying out for more choice, they don’t need greedy muppets further destroying what used to be an amazing town…
I’m very much in favour of an M&S at the Fairacres. Those of us west of the centre already have to battle a terribly clogged one-way system to visit Waitrose for better quality fruit and veg. The M&S will serve West Abingdon and Marcham for those wanting better quality good without a needless 30 minutes sit in stop start traffic