Former Added Ingredients deli is being turned into a micropub

The new venture will be run by Stuart Fanson, former manager at the Kings Arms, Wantage, according to the Oxford Drinker, the magazine run by real ale enthusiasts CAMRA (Campign for Real Ale).

A sign in the window of the premises in Stert Street informs former customers and passers-by that there will be craft beer, artisan drinks, and a bottle shop, and the micropub may be called The Cow Shed.

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The micropub is expected to open on December 1, with seating for up to 16 people, serving three cask ales and four keg lines, plus cans and bottles, said the Oxford Drinker.

Added Ingredients has been serving customers deli items and fine wines since 2002.

But it closed in May, and it is not clear if the deli will ever return.

A message from owner Jill Carver, on the Added Ingredients website, posted this summer, said: "As some of you will be aware I was off work for the whole of March with Covid. 

"One of the reasons for taking the summer off was to try to re-energise myself as I was still feeling under the weather.

"It also seemed to be a good time to renew the floor (which was very in need of doing) and renew some of the electrics and paint the place throughout."

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However, Ms Carver added she had been unable to reopen as she was still experiencing health problems.

Some stock including non-food items has now been sold and preparations are under way to turn the premises into a micropub.

This would not be the first shop converted into a bar in Abingdon.

The Tipsy Mercer cocktail bar in the High Street opened in 2019, converted from a former Stan James bookmakers.

The same year, the Old Chemist opened briefly as a bar in a former chemist, but it did not last long and remains boarded up.

While The Tipsy Mercer has been a success, The Old Chemist experienced numerous problems.

It opened at Easter in 2019 but in January 2020, during work to install a rest room in the basement, a potentially dangerous type of asbestos was found and the building was shut down.

There have been a number of pubs over the years in Stert Street, but The Cow Shed micropub will now be the only one.

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF