A MANAGER tasked with transforming Abingdon into a bustling business hub has pledged to polish the town into a "gem of Britain".

Julie Downing discussed her vision for the town after becoming manager of Abingdon Business Improvement District [BID], a partnership shaped by local businesses to promote the town and increase footfall.

Mrs Downing, who worked on a successful BID in Newbury, said she wanted to "bring life back to the town" by embracing independent shops and plugging leisure events.

She added: "Abingdon is a beautiful town with such a lot of history – it just needs a bit of love and attention.

"It’s easy for people to drift away: we need to make it enticing and appealing, to get local people in first and then people from further afield. There is so much here that people don’t know about. Abingdon is the hidden gem of Britain.

"It’s never going to be a huge retail destination, there just aren’t big enough units for those stores, so we want to bring in more lovely independents and smaller shops, and hopefully people will start making their way back. There are a lot of other things to offer, like beautiful coffee shops and walks by the river."

Mrs Downing said event were going to be a "big part" of increasing footfall, especially in the Market Place.

An agreement to create the BID was passed in October after 58 per cent of business owners united to back the project.

All business rate payers in the town must pay an annual levy of £230 for five years, which will accumulate to a £800,000 investment to plough back into the town.

Friends of Abingdon civic society chairman Bryan Brown, who is on the BID’s executive board, said: "Abingdon is a growing town. We need to put a bit more energy and enthusiasm into its community and commercial life.

"With all this new housing going up, the vitality of the town centre is absolutely critical.

"Abingdon has got a very good potential retail positioning with great independent and smaller stores. We absolutely need a smaller independent cinema."

Stuart Bates, a partner at Wenn Townsend accountants in Broad Street, added: "It’s an exciting time for Abingdon. We could all benefit from greater footfall, which Abingdon struggles with as does everywhere.

"There are an awful lot of willing volunteers who have done their bit to try to promote Abingdon, but with the BID and management there is more cohesion to the marketing strategy. It will be a focal point to get things happening."

Mrs Downing said she soon hoped to bring in footfall counters to track the most popular spots in the town.