Abingdon: The Great British High Street

Abingdon-on-Thames is in the running for The Great British High Street, #GBHighSt, a competition that celebrates the innovations that support those working to revive, adapt and diversify high streets across the country. We have high hopes for our entry as a large market town, a status of which we are justifiably very proud. But we need your help!

How can you help?

Last year, The Great British High Street saw 230 high streets enter the awards, with 200,000 votes cast; this year the event organisers say the competition is ‘bigger and better’, and we’re hoping you’ll support us by saying why you believe our wonderful town deserves to win – simply go to #GBHighSt and make your voice heard on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or Pinterest.

But why is celebrating the Great British High Street so important?

According to research from the Economic & Social Research Council, derelict high streets are highly visible and provide graphic evidence of the severity of economic downturn. Its research shows that the number of empty property units more than doubled to 16.3% in late 2012 from 7% in 2008. This downturn was triggered by three key factors:

1. The progressive rise of online shopping.
2. The impact of competition from out-of-town ‘one-stop’ retail developments.
3. The rise of convenience culture.

In order to survive and thrive in 21st-century Britain, retailers need to change. According to the Digital High Street 2020 Report, a successful high street must be convenient, engaging, relevant, adaptive, diverse and experiential.

How does Abingdon fair?

There are many factors that make Abingdon stand out, and why it’s worthy of taking the top spot of Britain’s best high street:

Proud to be a market town

As well as having a town centre full of fabulous shops, Abingdon is famed as a market town. Encouraging local people to come together and share their wares, Abingdon, as is our heritage, hosts a variety of markets, including a traditional market every Monday, a monthly farmer’s market on every third Friday, a quarterly local excellence market, a regular country market and a seasonal craft fair. What a lot of choice!

Celebrating our heritage

How many other towns have a 400-year-old annual Bun Throwing Competition? With our claim as the oldest town in the country, Abingdon is steeped in history from medieval times, and has a wealth of buildings (did you know there are over 200 listed buildings in the town centre alone?) and places to visit that are reminders of days gone by, but which blend perfectly with the town’s modern, vibrant environment. 

A town with ambition

Our ambition far exceeds that of many town. With Abingdon BID (Business Improvement District) voted in this year, our town centre businesses are collectively investing in local improvements to enhance the trading environment which will enable businesses to be responsive to the changing needs on the high street. With the development of a comprehensive marketing strategy, work is in place to increase footfall and spend in Abingdon. A range of festivals and events will be developed, aimed at boosting local trade and showcasing what our town has to offer to local, regional and national visitors. And there will be a range of activities to improve such things as street signage and work towards improved town centre parking facilities. After all, according to a report published in The Guardian, for every £1 spent with an SME, 63p stays in the local economy, which is why such initiatives are so important.

So much leisure, so much pleasure

Abingdon’s town centre is always buzzing. There’s a fantastic range of shops with all the best high-street names, plus destination stores that you won’t find anywhere else. Our independent shops are some of the best in the land and well worth a visit – they are brilliant places to browse. Then there’s the fabulous café culture, wonderful gastro-dining, great pubs … you’ll never go hungry or thirsty here. And the River Thames flowing just yards from the town centre is a true privilege for all to enjoy, including the amazing Thames Path national trail.

As you can see, there’s so much more to Abingdon than may first meet the eye. . Please join us in keeping everything crossed for our town to take the prized title in The Great British High Street competition – and remember to add your support at #GBHighSt.