Work is continuing to ensure a dangerous building in the centre of Abingdon is made safe.

At the beginning of October, the district council's building control team took action to manage the safety of a dangerous building at 3 West St Helen’s Street, Abingdon, and now scaffolding is being erected.

A large crack appeared in the brickwork and residents were evacuated, with the Jamaican restaurant, Pappy's Cuisine, on the ground floor, forced to close. The building is next to the Co-op which remains open.

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For the safety of the public, access to the side alleyway is temporarily closed with fencing erected in front of the building to limit pedestrian access.

Residents are expected to be able to return to their home, with the restaurant reopening once scaffolding is fully in place and a review has been completed but it is not yet known how long this will take.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) A spokeswoman for Vale of White Horse District Council, said: "Council officers liaised with the building owner, with three residents who vacated the building, and with the business owners of the takeaway on the ground floor, who temporarily suspended business.

"On Wednesday the building owner’s contractors started the installation of structural scaffolding.

"The scaffold, once in place, will secure the structure and allow pedestrian access through the alleyway to the small courtyard behind. However, to maintain the integrity of the scaffold, the alleyway will remain closed to vehicles.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) "Once the scaffolding is fully in place and subject to a review, we anticipate residents can return to their homes and the takeaway can resume business."

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She added that West St Helen Street at this location has also been narrowed as part of the safety measures and the contractors have put signs out to highlight the alternative pedestrian route.

Discussions will now continue with the landlord on the longer-term work needed for the building.

Pappy's Cuisine opened in West St Helen Street before Christmas and has attracted lots of regular customers. 

Among the dishes on the menu are curried goat and lamb stew, both costing £8.

The business, which has a four-star food hygiene rating, has been launched by Saudia Hind and Courtney Bennett, who are both originally from Jamaica.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) The idea came about through a friendship that has spanned for more than two decades.

Ms Hind is the director and owner and has lived in Abingdon for four years.

She has been in the food business for over 20 years and has another restaurant and takeaway in Littlemore called Taste of Jamaica.

Mr Bennett has lived in Abingdon for more than two decades.

Most people in the community knows him as Courtney and not Pappy, which was a name given to him by his grandfather.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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