Small Business Saturday and Abingdon Footfall Survey

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Small Business Saturday
It was Small Business Saturday last week in the U.S.A, and today (Saturday 6th December) is Small Business Saturday in the U.K.
Small Business Saturday
The intention is to raise the profile of local independent stores, who are far more likely to have local suppliers, and benefit the local economy generally.
Small Business Saturday
So a good chance to try out or two new ones today. Be brave and look in a new door.

Abingdon should soon be receiving a national award if the Vale of White Horse survey of local footfall is accurate.
Small Business Saturday
It says that footfall in Abingdon is up a dramatic 44% from 2013 to 2014 (surveys were done during September and October). That is better than Wantage, who recently received an award for their improved town centre. Wantage footfall was up 30%. Faringdon was up 8%. So all Vale towns are doing well against the national average which saw a 0.6% decrease in High Street footfall over the same period.

The Vale report suggests that the dramatic 44% increase in Abingdon footfall could be explained by: the draw of local events and markets, high rates of retailer occupation, the town centre refurbishment, and free parking. Even though none of these factors changed between 2013 and 2014. So the dramatic increase is a mystery.

Read the Report here.

Collapsed manhole cover and Leaking water main on Stert Street

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The northern end of Stert Street, from the junction with Stratton Way to Broad Street, was closed overnight because of a partially collapsed manhole cover that needed replacing.
Collapsed manhole cover
Meanwhile there is a lot of water at the southern end of Stert Street from a leaking water main.

The other roadworks, the Culvert exploratory work, is nearly complete, and the contractors are just repairing the holes.

Abingdon Music Centre Christmas Concert

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Christmas Lights
St Helen’s Church was full for the Abingdon Music Centre Christmas Concert – an annual event where groups from the Abingdon Music Centre, perform for each other and for family and friends.
Christmas Lights
The concert started with the Community Orchestra. They played some Beatles songs, then Bruch’s Violin Concerto no 1: 2nd movement.

Before they could start a butterfly landed on the music of Helen Eccleston, the conductor. Once blown off, the orchestra watched it fluttering off round the church.
Christmas Lights
Bethan Rose was the soloist of the concerto – a piece she played when winning the Francis Kitching Trophy for 2014, a trophy in memory of a well known local music teacher who wanted to encourage students to continue music after school.

Town Centre Christmas Lights 2014

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Christmas Lights
The Christmas Lights were turned on at 5:30 on Saturday. The big candles above the Market Place have been repaired after their first few years or use, and are looking as strong as ever in 2014.
Christmas Lights
Thanks to Peter for sending an alternative view of the fireworks that followed the lights being switched on.
Christmas Lights
The most original new light in 2014 is near the war memorial – a simple poppy.
Christmas Lights
The displays along High Street look best if you can sweep through town in a car.
Christmas Lights
Sami’s Kebab Trailer must enjoy being at the centre of this Picadilly Circus of lights. The golden lights down Bury Street, behind, got turned on a week before the rest.
Christmas Lights
I read in the Herald that about £15K was spent on new lights and light repairs by Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council round the town centre. The museum lights look as striking as ever, whether viewed outside or in.