Quite a lot has happened in two weeks since the last look at progress at the Abbey Shopping Centre.
The day after that last update I got this shot of the contractors leveling the upper concrete floor (Thanks for this shot).
Today they were placing what looked like large insulating sheets on the roof (they confused me for a bit as I commented on twitter there had been a delivery of mattresses).
Today it rained most of the time so it was NOT good to work outside, and probably not that good either for the French Market – with us from Thursday to Saturday.
Flat roofs are out, and gable ends are in, above the existing units of the Abbey Shopping Centre.
The large tree near Superdrug has had a lot of micro surgery round its roots to put in new services. The leaves will soon be falling, from autumn and not from being killed.
Meanwhile new block paving has started to be laid adjacent to Costa. Amazingly the shops still continue to trade with all of this building work going on. Another update soon I’m sure.
Throwing Buns and the shops alongside managed to continue trading throughout a whole summer despite very intrusive building works, and hoardings that more or less hid them from view….
At least Costa are on the town square and they can be seen !
It’s a tough time for the traders in the precinct. They all know trade should be better once the work finishes and the new stores arrive but many of these businesses run on very tight cash flows.
I’d encourage people to go out of there way to support these stores over the next few months – as I know many of the readers of this blog already do.
Sorry ‘their’ – don’t want to set a bad example for younger readers
I’m assuming the block paving is only as far as Costa i.e. doesn’t run through the precint.
Does anyone know if the buildings above NewLook and Costa are getting upgraded as part of the development – they seem to be getting new windows, but I wondered whether they are part of the overall plan and will get a paint job etc.
I’m looking forward to the precint getting sorted out, it will, along with the Crown and Thistle, Gaol dev and Nag’s Head make a massive difference to the town centre. Genuine reason for optimism!
The local shops are suffering badly from the loss of trade caused by the building work the council should stop the rates they charge traders until the development is finished
Is there any indication as to what companies will be moving into the new units?
This weekend above Santander they replastered the walls,what a mess!!!!!!
I didn’t get a chance to photograph it, although they put large sheets on the floor, and cling film covering on the large windows, they must have had a lot of clearup after.
Not that I’ve heard yet Ste. They’re aiming at fashion retailers.
Thanks col, I kept looking at the walls thinking something was different but I didn’t think thaey could replaster and paint in a weekend so I thought I must be going mad.
for the younger readers that should be “They”
I have heard a rumour Debenhams are looking to open a store in the town.