Abbey Road

The section of Abbey Road between the town centre and the first bend was originally Church Walk and thereafter it was known as Star Lane that ran down as far as that section we know today as the Spalding Road.

There were cottages on the north side and meadows opposite but most of the old buildings have either been demolished and replaced with modern buildings, mostly shops and commercial premises, or converted for a similar purpose, while the fields have given way to the Abbey Lawn that was purchased for the town as playing fields between 1931-34 by Bourne United Charities and the work of levelling and laying out the grounds was carried out by trainees from the Ministry of Labour Instructional Centre in Bourne.

Most of the old cottages near the town in Abbey Road have been converted into shops and one block is currently being used as an Indian restaurant while No 1 Abbey Road is now occupied by a travel agent with land agent and auctioneer Stephen Knipe next door.

Many of the shop premises that can be found in streets within the area of the town centre, formerly the market place, were built as cottages for artisans or agricultural workers but were converted for commercial use during the 20th century. 

The pair of cottages at No 11 Abbey Road were built in the late 18th century in what was then Church Street, and were still being used as homes in 1912. They were later combined as one shop when an extension was added although the builder went to great pains to retain the outward appearance of whitewashed walls and red pantiled roof. Today the premises are used wholly as commercial premises although the frontage has been relatively unchanged. The most recent owners were E Stringer Ltd, paint suppliers and decorating contractors, but the firm vacated the shop in June 2002 when they moved to larger premises in Manning Road and new tenants are now in occupation.

Across the street, a row of four old cottages have been converted for use as an Indian restaurant and take-away, one of the many fast food establishments in Bourne, several of which are in Abbey Road although some of the premises have been built in more recent times.

Two fast food outlets in Abbey Road (above), the Shalimar Balti House (left) and across the street, Zorba Kebab 2. More old cottages (below) that have been converted for use as commercial premises, No 25 (left) and No 59 (right).
THE CHANGING FACE OF ABBEY ROAD
The changing face of the town is reflected in these two photographs taken a decade apart showing the same historic cottage property at No 11 Abbey Road still in continual use as retail premises but with different tenants.
The Cake Cabin at No 65 Abbey Road which closed in 2007 when the catering business moved to South Street, later North Street. The building was once a water bottling plant, then a fish and chip shop, and in 1960 was converted for use as the headquarters of the St John Ambulance Brigade. It is now derelict and together with the adjoining site of warehouses and waste land has been earmarked for housing development. See also picture below.
MORE SHOPS IN ABBEY ROAD
These premises at the eastern end of Abbey Road have been closed and boarded up for several years after the business moved into the town centre but the roof tiles have now been removed turning into an eyesore for the area.

REVISED MARCH 2014

See also

Stringers Home Decorating Centre

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