It may look as if the Abbey Shopping Centre has taken a risk building new retail space in the middle of the longest economic downturn most of have known …
but a study done for the Vale of White Horse Council, predicting what retail is needed in the longer view up to 2029, says the space is needed, as well as a new large supermarket in the town centre.
Last week the vale published the additional papers underpinning the main Local plan Document to 2029. The retail study says “High street national multiples have increasingly sought larger modern shop units (over 200 sq.m).”
We will all be glad to get some news about how the new retail space is to be used. Some rectification work has happened during the first three months since the main work was completed.
The study also looks at the viability of cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys, and bingo halls in the Vale area. It says a 2 screen 400 seat cinema could be viable, anything smaller would not be.
Local people can respond to the plan with their own views of what will work and be viable.
