There’s a new caffé on Bath Street, adding another touch more Italy to the street. (In Italian, caffè means coffee, but it’s also used to refer to a coffee shop or café.) Delicatessen Caffè has been open for about three weeks and offers freshly made bagels with a variety of fillings, stone-baked pizzas, pasta dishes, croissants, puddings, and all the usual hot drinks. You can find out more at delicatessencaffe.co.uk.
Across the road, another shop is being worked on. Three weeks ago, a sign in the window promised a ‘Grand Reveal — Opening Soon: TEN 10.’ That may or may not be a clue, but the balloons that decorated the window have now gone as more fitting out continues.
On Stert Street, another business is ‘Opening Soon’. The sign in the window shows a gold monogram with the letters ABC, and below are the words ‘Aesthetics By Clouds.’ It looks likely to be an aesthetics / beauty clinic.
This is good news! Any shop is better than a vacant one. We’re very lucky to have so many thriving businesses in Abingdon while so many others are struggling to keep their High Streets alive. Three shops opening in a rural town within the space of a few weeks is practically unheard of. Worth remembering the next time you hear someone lazily remark on the number of cafe’s and barbershops in town.
I agree with what you say Boris. People complaining about all the cafes and Turkish barbers in Abingdon, seem to forget that the landlords need rent and not empty shops. If anyone is going to mention the rumours about Turkish barbers, that is all they are, rumours.
Remember, those “landlords” includes the people responsible for the precinct. Their business plan is dependant on 60% occupancy – which they have. This is why there’s no incentive for them to do better.
Which is fine. 🤷♂️
Lets hope Fairacres gets the M&S soon!