A MULTI-MILLION pound plan to revamp the heart of Abingdon will provide “jobs and greater prosperity” for the town.

Vale of White Horse District Council has signed a £53m deal for the long-awaited work, which will see new shops, a doctors’ surgery and a library.

The Charter area will be overhauled with a supermarket set to take pride of place.

Meanwhile, the 1960s Abbey shopping precinct will get two new large shops and some of the existing units will be converted into bigger stores.

It comes days after a scheme was unveiled to embark on the second stage of development at Didcot’s Orchard Shopping Centre.

James White, chairman of the Choose Abingdon Partnership, said: “Abingdon has fallen behind over the years in terms of development in the town centre and shopping. This is something that has been looked forward to for many years.

“It will make a difference, with more people spending in Abingdon than elsewhere. More shopping will be retained in Abingdon which will be a good thing for the town.”

Paul Townsend, president of Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, who owns E&R Goff Newsagents in Bridge Street, said: “This is good news. Especially following the news Didcot had last week.

“It will be good for the town and good for the area.

“We are full of independent traders and there are not many big names to compete with, but we cannot compete with Didcot unless we have two hours free parking.”

Phil May, owner of Throwing Buns cafe, said: “It is a positive thing and it could get the town on the map for shopping rather than the historical side of things.”

District councillor Samantha Bowring said: “When we talk to residents one of the things we hear most often is we want to see more shops in the town centre.

“But I am personally quite excited because it will mean a better library and a better surgery.

“That is probably the bit of the town that brings the whole town centre down, so building something there that people want and will provide them with better facilities has got to be good.”

The Abbey precinct will be repaved and street furniture, lighting and signs replaced.

The centre’s lease holders Scottish Widows Investment Partnership (SWIP) still has to get planning permission for the schemes, but work could start in January.

An application for the Charter area is expected to be submitted next year, with work starting in 2013.

Richard Gibson, the Vale’s executive member for economic development said: “This deal will attract more people to the town, providing more jobs and greater prosperity.”

He said a major supermarket chain was bank rolling the Charter development.

Council leader Tony de Vere added: “It is a significant development and a real achievement for Abingdon and the Vale.”

SWIP spokesman Cameron Murray said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant improvement to the centre and attract new retailers into Abingdon.”