As a previously frequent visitor to Abingdon Street market I was keen to see what had been done with the space. Although there had been a launch ‘do’ the previous evening, Saturday 27th May 2023 was the first day of public operation. Prior to the 12:00 doors open time, there were queues down the street from the two Edward Street doors.
Only the food hall section has been opened and the retail stall area was still blocked off with roller shutters. It was interesting trying to remember the old layout and transpose it on what’s there now. It consists of rows of tables and benches with food and drink outlets in a perimeter around them.
People took to the tables and started buying the food and drink as if they’d been going there all their lives, which has to be a good sign. There was much hubbub.
At present I feel that the new market lacks the tight intimacy of the old, but that market had many empty stalls and probably couldn’t go on the way it was. Of course, we only have the food hall at present and perhaps the whole thing needs to be open before the benefits start to come through. This market has been designed to meet 21st century needs.
Good luck for the market’s future and to all who have invested in it. There is a new town centre focus area to enjoy.
