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unlocked Development news & updates from The Old Gaol, Abingdon-on-Thames
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reside n now ts movin in! g
Delighted buyers now moving in Town centre regeneration well underway Old Gaol well placed for local independent schools Stunning new pictures of the Old Gaol
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w w w. t h e o l d g a o l . c o m
ISSUE
No 3
‘
abingdon town centre is on the up and up work is now well underway
Allan Lockhart, Director of
wanted to do
on the much anticipated £4 million scheme to refurbish Abingdon’s Abbey Shopping Centre, with Phase I now being completed.
this for years -
Deteriorating canopies have been removed and new
a real boost
frontages built creating an attractive retail street which
We have
seeks to complement the historic fabric of the town.
for Abingdon
York stone paving, along with high quality seating and
is coming
lighting will also be introduced to upgrade the Bury Street pedestrian area, providing an enhanced link for shoppers into Market Place and the surrounding streets.
NewRiver said, ‘‘We will be consulting the community soon on
new s how apartm launc ent h april 2ing in 013 – Please
c Marketi all the ng Su further d ite for etails
the next phase of these exciting plans to deliver a high quality town centre for the people of Abingdon. We will take steps to publicise this consultation widely as it’s important for us to get feedback from local residents and traders on the future of the town centre before we finalise the plans.’’
Planning permission for the work was granted in 2011 and Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP), acting on behalf of the owners of Abbey Shopping Centre has appointed award-wining contractors McLaren Construction to undertake the refurbishment. Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: ‘‘The refurbishment is something that we have wanted to carry out for a number of years. I will be very excited to see the progress and look forward to a real boost for Abingdon in the coming months.’’
refurbishment for coaching inn a historic hotel in Abingdon town centre is also benefitting from renovation. Following the refurbishment of the Blue Boar in Witney, its sister hotel, The Crown & Thistle in Abingdon-on-
Demolition work on the second phase of the project is
Thames is due to close its doors in June to embark on a
scheduled to start later this year. A high profile food
£1.4 million refurbishment to attract guests for business
chain is showing interest in the Charter redevelopment.
and leisure. The project will take approximately 16 weeks to complete, so it is anticipated that the hotel will reopen in the autumn of this year. The listed 17th century coaching inn will have 22 en-suite bedrooms, two with four poster beds and two family rooms. The Stocks Bar will be transformed into a wine and cocktail bar and will feature a new gourmet menu. The Skillets restaurant will have an overhaul and comprise of a restaurant and lounge/café area where people can relax and take refreshments. Function rooms will also be available for hire for both business events and weddings. Meanwhile Michael Riemenschneider, who used to run the Michelin-starred Abbey restaurant in Penzance and the Juniper in Altrincham has arrived at The Broad
Abbey Shopping Centre is coming back to life thanks to £4m of new money
Face in Bridge Street. For further details, visit www. crownandthistle.com and www.thebroadface.co.uk
view our virtual tour at www.theoldgaol.com or
family draws retired couple to the old gaol after ten years living on the south
Mrs Douglas says, ‘‘When we started
coast with a boat nearby, Mr & Mrs Douglas needed to re-appraise life in retirement.
flat-hunting, Grahame’s family, who live
Grahame had been having health problems; Janet found
By chance, on a visit to Abingdon we
that the garden and the tasks of laying up the boat in
drove down East St Helen St and saw the
autumn and fitting out in spring, were getting too much.
board announcing the apartments at the
With grandchildren in Spain, Germany and England time
Old Gaol. A look at the website convinced
was at a premium and they decided to sell the boat.
us that we had to find out more.
near Oxford, suggested we move nearer to them, so we began looking near Oxford.
Janet and Grahame Douglas
We returned to visit the scheme, and saw what would
development update
be the highest of the 3-bedroom flats. It ticked a lot
Sales at the Old Gaol now exceed 75%.
great rooftop outlook; private residents’ garden on the
of boxes: basement car park; lift to the front door; riverside; shops within walking distance; eating places
A range of 2 bedroom apartments are still available,
just round the corner and regular buses to Oxford. After
with a choice of position facing the private walled
carefully considering it all, we decided over lunch.
gardens or the River Thames. All the apartments are built to the same luxury specification, featuring:
That was over a year ago. We watched the flats being
Secure parking
built, chose the bathroom fittings, tiles, carpets and
• Private residents’ gardens Private residents’ gym • Estate management office Use of river moorings • New restaurant quarter
kitchen and moved in at Christmas 2012. Our daughter’s family have visited and were full of praise for the scheme.
Brochures and further information are available
Do we miss the boat? Well, sometimes. But now we have The Midlands & from the Marketing Suite on (01235) 555222. Birmingham the North moved in, looking out from our cosy flat and enjoying our stunning views has its compensations.’’
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RADLEY STATION
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abingdon is home to
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on the doorstep of the educational capital
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www.theoldgaol.com andersondesignoxford.co.uk | 01865 201300
‘
Cranbourne are committed to building environmentally sustainable homes which people aspire to live in, while maintaining the charm of this historic environment. We use green roofs, heat recovery systems and obtain our materials from sustainable sources where possible.
Call the Marketing Suite for details on +44 (0)1235 555222 Visit the Old Gaol website: www.theoldgaol.com