One of Oxfordshire's biggest towns is facing a growing crisis, with more and more retailers shutting shop, writes Roseena Parveen.

Historic Abingdon now has 16 shops lying empty in its town centre, and many feel the problem is worsened by a planning policy, which stops anything other than retailers from taking over certain empty units.

This effectively rules out new restaurants, cafes, banks and similar businesses. Some units, such as the former butcher's Hedges, in Stert Street, have been derelict for more than a year. John Menzies newsagents in Stert Street is another business set to close this month. In October, Milwards shoe shop shut after 20 years in Bath Street. But Vale of White Horse planners say they are doing all they can to save retail trade in Abingdon.

"The situation is worse than previous years. There seems to be more vacant properties at the moment," said Rodger Hood, the Vale's head of planning services.

"But that's not an uncommon situation in market towns at the moment. Retail is struggling nationally.

"You must also consider geography - Abingdon may be suffering more because it is close to Oxford. As a council, we do what we can to enhance the town's environment to attract new businesses." People are rallying to save Abingdon - once bustling with market traders, now bustling more with heavy traffic and pollution. The Abingdon Town Working Party is one of several initiatives started this year by a desire to revamp a town desperate to reverse its dour image. Its task is to dream up ideas to rejuvenate the town.

Other initiatives being developed to entice retailers back by improving the environment, include the Abingdon Transport Strategy, which aims to solve traffic chaos. A farmers' market could be on the cards, promoting fresh produce from local farms.

Negotiations over revamping the dilapidated Bury Street precinct - which dates back to the 1970s - are also on-going. Planners are also establishing policies for major areas of development in the town, to make sure retail trade benefits long term. Among them are The West Central Area, the famous Morland brewery site in Ock Street, and the old Maltings site in The Vineyard.

One key strategy to kick-starting Abingdon is to increase town centre population.

Mr Hood insists it is not too late.

He said: "It is easy to present a gloomy picture of Abingdon, but there are many exciting developments here which will benefit retail in future. Abingdon has significant attractions. It's a tourist town with benefits of the River Thames close by." But some retailers feel the council's policy of protecting retail units is a bad thing.

Kevin Clare, president of the chamber of commerce, said: "We would like to see a thriving business in these premises rather than empty shops.

"Abingdon is at a crucial point in its history. There are prime sites for re-development here and care must be taken to provide the right mix of housing, shops and leisure facilities to ensure its vitality."

Kevin Martin is one businessman looking to expand, but was refused permission to establish an 'up-market' cafe.

He said: "I understand the need to protect retail space, but surely allowing a cafe is better than having units lie empty, making the town look even more derelict?" Ian Hunt, managing director of Ivorfields camera shop in Stert Street said: "My personal opinion is it would be better if the units were given to small retailers. But it's difficult to survive at the moment, unless more initiatives to entice retailers are introduced, such as rate concessions."

Story date: Monday 06 December

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