Thanks to Peter for a picture of the Extravaganza as the lights were turned on. It is always a dramatic moment.
The lights have been on for a few evenings now.
What still looks new is the display along Bury Street.
Scottish Widows put their lights on two weeks before the Extravaganza.
I always enjoy the lights whether they come from Independent Retailers, Town Council, or Pension Funds.
Thanks to Steve for these pictures he took, of Stert Street, before new Abbey Court was built. A few days ago on this blog you may have seen developers want to demolish the new buildings.
Steve says “Originally it was the Cinema, fondly known as the Flea Pit. The two shops on the right are now Thomas Merrifield…
The old coach house building at the rear is still there, access via Abbey Close. Beyond, the small building was I believe the parcel office for the station?”
Steve adds “… shop to the right was Carter’s Toy Shop.”
Last week Philosophy moved their hairdressing business to the Market Place. They have lots of natural light with windows both sides.
Big white Afro wigs are part of the first display in Abingdon’s biggest new fashion shop window
– New Look moved to the bigger premises along Bury Street last week.
Plans to demolish the New Abbey Court Offices in Stert Street, together with buildings behind, and replace them with new housing, was on the agenda for last week’s meeting of the Vale of White Horse District Council (VWHDC) Planning Committee.
The original plans had drawn opposition from Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, The Friends of Abingdon, and neighbours.
Updated plans, which should have addressed some of those concerns, were issued, and recommended by VWHDC planning officers. The updated plans were not liked by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, or the Friends of Abingdon, and withdrawn from the VWHDC agenda at the last minute.