Is a Starbucks coming to Abingdon?

Cafe society in the town is buzzing right now with rumours of the chain's impending arrival at the former M&Co fashion store in the market place.

And it looks like the rumours are true - Alastair Fear's highly respected Abingdon Blog has reported the planning application, which indicates a proposal for Starbucks signage to Vale of White Horse District Council.

Oxford Mail:

If Starbucks does come to town, shoppers in the market place will be spoilt for choice and could instead choose R&R, Java, Costa, or the new Missing Bean across the road in Stert Street.

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Abingdon Blog says: "There is a planning application for signage for a new Starbucks coffee shop in place of M&Co in the Market Place.

"We are well served for coffee shops in Abingdon! Abingdon Market Place – alone – has: Costa, R&R, Java, and Throwing Buns.

"The shop looks like the day when M&Co left, but outside at the back, there is work under way digging up the path."

Oxford Mail:

Missing Bean has proved popular since it opened this summer in a former bank but some residents believe the number of cafes has now reached saturation point.

Oxford Mail:

One Abingdon Blog reader wrote: "I guess the council will allow anyone to take on an empty property rather than leave it empty.

Read more: Missing Bean cafe ready for hot competition

"Better watch the old Touchwood Sports site, there is room in there for another coffee shop as well. I tried to count up number of places in town where you can get coffee now but gave up as there were just so many.

"Problem used to be charity shops, now it’s coffee shops. No wonder people go out of town for their shopping."

Read more: M&Co closes another branch in Oxfordshire

Another wrote: "Quite like Starbucks coffee, generally far better than Costa.

Oxford Mail:

"However, Missing Bean is way ahead of the competition when it comes to the quality of their coffee whilst not attracting a premium price."

As well as coffee shops Abingdon has plenty of hairdressers including a number of Turkish barbers.

Starbucks closed its branch in Cornmarket in Oxford during the pandemic and it has not reopened.