The picture from about 1980 shows what was the Thames View light industrial park, with the Abbey Grounds behind.
Most of that area has already been redeveloped but some of the industrial units were kept going for a while – as it is was thought good to try to keep employment centres near the town centre.
The last units were demolished last year, and earth movers have been back this year reducing the pile of rubble. Plans are probably on the way for what will happen to this land. Â But as yet nothing has come into the public domain as far as I am aware. Thames View is probably the last substantial area of land near to the town centre that could be built upon.
It should be put to good use for retail or expanding the abbey gardens or something. But knowing this town it will be just yet more flats/houses!
I have heard that a retirement home is to be built there.
I heard the same as Julian. (Retirement homes/apartments or a ‘Care Home’ depending on planning I suspect.
Homes for retired people would be a good idea as the site is so near the park and the town centre. However, I think the genuine needs of retired people should be considered by whoever is developing this site. I have been told that the flats in the Old Gaol are being targetted to retired people, but I think they are very unsuitable as they are very cramped with a combined kitchen/sitting /dining room. Other retirement companies try to make money by attracting younger retired people and then “encourage” them to leave when they become infirm. This is not what peole need.
The Old Gaol is now being marketed by Savills and Thomas Merrifield. Show Apartment opens later this month
http://www.theoldgaol.com/images/brochure/oldgaolbrochure.pdf
there’s the brochure
@Ste Assuming it is privately owned it will almost certainly be used for housing because there is a lot of demand for it and it is therefore more profitable.
And the demand is there because people want to live in Abingdon, which isn’t such a bad thing.
And more people living in the town centre will lead to a more vibrant and successful town centre.
@rudi They sell the town very effectively 😉
Can’t see anyone wanting to build a care home on that site, unless people haven’t noticed that sector is in dire straits at the moment. Most likely usual selection of under sized houses and flats rammed in as tight as they can get away with.
…tenuously linked I know (but it’s still ‘brown field’ related-ish), does anyone with their ear to the ground know about a rumor I heard….that the Citroen garage on Drayton Road may become a KFC (drive-through)?
Was only overheard pub gossip by a third party (very tenuous, I know)…but just wondered…
I’d heard the same rumour but about the garden centre at tescos. As a long term KFC addict I’m keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
on a slightly different note, I’ve got it on good authority that the company that own the Kings Head have tried to get a lease for the Nags Head but the landlord/company that own it want OTT money and there is also an issue with the bottom of the beer garden sinking into the thames…….interesting.
Are you buying Iain??
My only problem with KFC is that I don’t like soft drinks – and last time I went to one they didn’t have coffee.
Another Drive through fast food outlet??.
I think I remember that when MacDs were looking to build that the Ex Renault Garage had traffic issues. The Citroen Garage is opposite side in the Hartwells Motor Village!! (that is what its advertised as, Ford/Citroen/ and Fiat dealers.
Being an ex petrol station it may be classified as Toxic Site.
“Toxic site”…sounds about right for a KFC then!
Certainly happy to buy you a celebratory KFC helen (without fuzzy drink) – be lively not to have to drive ten miles for my fix of 11 herbs and spice 🙂
Sami’s fried chicken is nice but it’s just not the same.
Surely the leftover oil would save KFC a fortune in supplies…. ?!? ;O) ….
On the Nags Head I suspect the owners think they are sitting on a potential goldmine site as once the old gaol is finished they will be in a more “prime” part of town. So instead of a pub staring at a boarded up prison we’ll have upmarket flats staring at a boarded up pub come summer…. pity, it could be Abingdon’s “The Trout” with right investment. Good luck to the KH&B guys if they are going for it as they’d do a good job.
I pity anyone who has to live near yet another large takeaway food outlet. I live near to the Macdonalds and the litter problem is appalling.
I think the Nag’s Head is being offered by the dreaded Punch Taverns at a ridiculous annual lease fee (circa 175k). The tragic fact is that it might sit empty at that price. Good luck to the KH&B guys, but it really needs to be a top quality foodie place to bring in that revenue. Much as though I like the beer and staff at the KH&B, the food isn’t of that calibre