The state of the shops is a regular story in the Abingdon Herald.
In 2001 and 2002 there were concerns about shop closures. By 2003-5 headlines had become more positive with Stert Street doing better. Although there were concerns elsewhere in 2007.
After the opening of the new precinct in the 1970s one of the older shopping streets, Stert Street, did go into decline. In July 2002 there were 9 empty shops. However a delicatessen was due to open in November 2002.
On Saturday some of the town traders were on the Market Place to promote their businesses. Two were from Stert Street: Dream Doors
and Added Ingredients, the delicatessen that opened in November 2002.
That appears to be the turning point for Stert Street. Since 2002 Stert Street has been on the rise. Mod31 opened about the same time, and Finishing Touch in 2003. By 2005 there were 2 empty shops and Stert Street was soon to benefit from the new traffic system with wider pavements and less traffic.
In the last 3 years I cannot remember an empty shop in Stert Street, and so despite difficult trading conditions elsewhere, Stert Street is doing fairly well.
Looks like the old insurance place opposite Abingdon Sports is been renovated.
Big unit, I wonder what it will be???
I think the independent traders on Stert Street have done a great job. They have a very positive attitude and put the focus on very good customer service.
It is interesting how the respective fortunes of Stert Street and High Street seem to have swapped over the last decade.
There are two shops on Stert St that seem to be empty. One was a Vietnamese cafe, not sure what the other was. Neither have agents boards, so are they just being left empty?