ABINGDON’S Abbey Meadow could be revitalised with a riverside cafe in a £2m project to entice more visitors to the town.

Abingdon Town Council’s plan to revamp the leisure area could also see the outdoor pool refurbished to make more of the park’s Thameside location.

Council leader Sandy Lovatt said: “We don’t do enough for the river frontage.

“There is so much there – we need to draw attention to it to draw people into Abingdon.”

Last month, the council agreed to change the town’s name to Abingdon-on-Thames, subject to it being ratified by Vale of White Horse District Council.

Mr Lovatt said: “The thought is if we had a licensed cafe there it would be more of a focal point.

“A cafe would help stop the boats and give the walkers somewhere to go. It would form a gathering point for people to come and use the other facilities.

“It is people that attract businesses and if we can attract people to the town then business can prosper.”

The spot already boasts the heated outdoor pool, tennis courts, golf facilities, a children’s water feature, and a small kiosk.

Preparations for the revamp are not likely to start for at least another year.

Peter Harbour, from the Friends of Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool, welcomed the idea. He said: “This is something that will attract people to Abingdon as well as pleasing the local people.

“The Abbey Meadow is one of the most attractive features in the town and a lot more could be made of it. It could be better publicised and provided with facilities, which will help when the weather is not too good.”

James White, chairman of the Choose Abingdon Partnership, agreed the town did not make enough of its riverside location.

He said: “We could have far more events and festivals in that area to make more use of what we have got. It is an under-used asset. It is lovely to have it but people don’t make much use of it.”

The council wants to change the name of the town back to Abingdon-on-Thames in a rebranding exercise targeting tourists.

Chamber of commerce president Paul Townsend, who runs a newsagents, said: “I get a lot of custom off the river myself but most of them are only staying the night on the way to Oxford.

“There does need to be something done to connect the river to the town.”

A £4m refurbishment of the Abbey Shopping Centre will begin in February and a £3.5m revamp of the County Hall Museum is on track to finish in the spring.

The Guildhall will also benefit from a £1m investment, possibly with a cinema, in a move to make it a more profitable community venue.

Mr Townsend said: “We need to look to future projects and I think making more use of the river has to be a primary goal.”