Insurance firm A-Plan has moved its Abingdon office to larger premises. But the upheaval was kept to a minimum as staff only had to move one door down the High Street.

Abingdon branch manager, Craig Williams, said: “Strong local demand meant we had run out of space, so we are delighted to relocate to larger premises and demonstrate our long-term commitment to the town.

“It is also fantastic that we can now offer more employment opportunities to local people.”

The expansion which cost “a six figure sum” has created two new jobs, taking the branch workforce to 11.

A-Plan, which has its headquarters in Oxford, has 65 branches across the south of England, eight of which, employing more than 100 staff, are in Oxfordshire. Its total workforce is 720 —up from 650 a year ago.

Councillor Sandy Lovett, who opened the new site with wife Monica, the mayor of Abingdon, said: “I am thrilled to see the new A-Plan site, which is opening up career opportunities for the community. The recent investment into Abingdon town centre as a whole is designed to improve the town centre and the shopping experience, as well as the services that it offers.

“We are all very excited about the redevelopment currently taking place, which we expect to bring many more people into the town.”

Pictured are Mayor of Abingdon, Monica Lovatt and her husband Sandy, with branch manager Craig Williams.