On Stert Street some of the buildings are being worked on. A sign outside says ‘Open as Usual.’
Underneath the scaffolding, Finishing Touch was open this Sunday, as were a lot of other Abingdon shops – just over a week to go to Christmas.
In the Abbey Shopping Centre the shops are used to being ‘Open As Usual’ having had scaffolding up and work underway most of the year.
Not much of that scaffolding now remains and the reshaped buildings are now visible both sides.
We are still waiting with interest to see what new names may come to Abingdon in the coming months.
I have heard from the contractors that the shops next to boots are going to be New Look. Of course they already have a shop but that one will be shutting and they will be making a bigger and better New Look store.
They look a damn site more appealing than it did before. I know people moan about the loss of canopies, but it has a nicer overall feel and I for one will not mind using a brolley. Let’s just hope we get an H&M or NEXT to bring more footfall in for the independent shops.
Nick – I believe H&M is going in the old ‘dixons’ in the Clarendon Centre in Oxford. But, knowing our luck it won’t have a men’s section….and if it does, it’ll be a small area in amongst the women’s.
I keep telling my son when we walk past the new abingdon shops “that’s gonna be one LARGE Poundland!”
I agree though, as much as I haven’t been a fan of the chosen development design….it is vastly better than what it was.
Anyone know when the next phase (charter area) kicks off, or where it’s all up to?
I know a lot of people who use the Charter, who want to know as well. They have not been told if they are to be demolished/or when.
They have been relocated 2 or 3 times now, [Originaly top floor on Market place, then the lease came up for renewal, they moved: shared Abbey Centre (Audlett Drive), Then swapped round when Charters was refurbished, users moved to Audlett Drive, they moved to Charters] They want to know what is happening so they can plan for the future.
I understand that the timing of the next phase will be influenced by market conditions – not surprising really. Under the current schedule the planning application is due to be submitted in Autumn 2013, with a public consultation before that, but I guess that might change if the economy doesn’t pick up. So it looks as if it will be some time before tenants and users know their future..
I know most people I speak to about it just want to know what shops are going in the new units…we were hoping for some bigger national retailers…somewhere to buy a DVD anyone?? But from the sounds of previous comments that doesn’t look likely!
Anyone know the proposed finish date? Also seems to have gone quiet on the Wetherspoons on the old Post Office site as well…