SHOPKEEPERS could extend their opening hours under a plan from a new group designed to inject life into Abingdon.

In recent months, the town has fallen victim to the economic downturn, and shops such as Halfords, Cargo and Hathaways have been forced out because of a dip in sales.

Retailers have also blamed ongoing traffic problems for the slump in trade.

The newly formed Choose Abingdon Partnership — made up of representatives from town, district and county councils and businesses, community organisations and the Chamber of Commerce — has come up with its first action plan.

It includes a call for shops to trade on Sundays and stay open into the later evening. It also said improving signs directing people to Abingdon could help improve the situation for retailers.

Choose Abingdon Partnership was officially launched this month and has an annual budget of £60,000, made up of £20,000 from each of Abingdon Town Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council.

The money is to be spent on employing a partnership manager and carrying out improvements to the town.

The partnership is spearheaded by consultant Iain Nicholson — who has helped other areas such a Witney — and was commissioned by Abingdon Town Council.

It was created through Abingdon’s Joint Economic Forum, whose chairman, Julie Mayhew-Archer, said: “We will be working to publish a leaflet or having an event or just trying to support the shops in what are difficult times across the country.”

The partnership plans to promote Abingdon as England’s oldest continuously inhabited town and wants to introduce brown tourist attraction signs from the A34.

abingdon@oxfordmail.co.uk