Michael Palaeologus

"Ass" surely? Not that you have a big one, not that I was looking ..... ... oh Lordy

Yes and Yes

Ah yes. The old "if the stats dont support my world view then the stats must be wrong, the Government are lying and GOD I wish things were really, really depressing" ploy. I see your point.

They havent been able to massage the figures since the last Government changed the criteria. It is what it is, the figures do at least compare like with like for the past number of years. Unemployment has fallen. That some of these jobs are PT and low paid is true, but for many this at least gets them into the world of work. It is easier to go from employment to better employment. Equally PT work is what many people want, giving flexibility to work around other commitments. Many people in retail management start their employment as PT-ers and Saturday workers.

Quite right too Gingers. But ... My what big teeth you have ....

The demographics arguement is fine, except that Iceland would probably stay if M&S/Waitrose dont get their way - there will be no Supermarket competition other than the Coop, so people will have to go to Iceland like it or no. As MM noted the economic argument doesnt stand up now, unemployment is falling because the economy has been growing for at least 6 months, we now discover. Factors that will decide it are whether M&S/Waitrose want the site badly enough to change their plans and re-submit, how much the rent goes up (it will on the basis of the M&S/Waitrose interest) and whether Iceland want to stay badly enough to pay a higher rent and refurbish the store (which they need to do).

Splendid meeting of the curry club. Hibbs, Alleycat, Floating Onion, MickMac, Gingerbeer and I enjoyed our meal at Tandoori Nights and it was good to see Chick at the EDT beforehand. Roll on Noveember!!

The only notice up on Saturday was simply thanking people for their support and confirming that they had no news re an M&S take over of the site. No mention of timescales.

I have booked a table for 8.30pm.

"Barrel"

Mention "snifter" and "EDT" and the Ladies come a-flocking ....

A thousand blessings are upon us! How about meeting at the EDT for a snifter? 7.30ish ..... XX

Sex and drugs and chips and gravy

BOING!! Could you confirm please? As its Tandoori Nights, I will book a table. XX

Caviar Blinis Creme Fraiche All from Iceland

How true. A sad tendency to knee jerk a class based comment based on wanting to see one capitalist retailer rather than another capitalist retailer. The Co-op will still be there. Sadly they do not sell frozen Greggs sausage rolls, which will be a great loss. Just been in to Iceland (2 packets of pancakes and onion and garlic dip), the notice on the door just thanks people for their support and says that they have no news re the M&S takeover. No date for closure mentioned.

I wonder whether a member of the Curry Club should try them both and give feedback. Volunteers?

In which case, Sorry. It may be akin to downtown Damascus, I have no idea.

I used to live close to the Estate (end of Ivanhoe Road) and in all the years that I was there (19 years) I didnt experience any problems from the Estate.

Even if M&S/Waitrose come to nothing. The threat has caused the Co-op to upgrade their show, I now use it regularly and am impressed. If Iceland do stay, I hope that they invest in the place, it could do with a tart-up.

Veer Zara?

.... and Jimmy Saville in his pomp ..... great.

The M&S option hasnt gone away. The rejection isnt permanent. They can simply revise their plan and re-submit.

There were a few girls in my year that just looked older and they went out with older blokes BUT older by about 2 or 3 years. Most of us went out with people in the same year. As we got into the 6th Form some guys went out with girls who were 16/17. We had one girl who REALLY fancied one of the young, male sports teachers. She was physically mature and really very attractive. To his credit, he kept his distance throughout her school career. We all left 6th Form to go to Uni. Three months later we came back home for Christmas and the annual School 6th form Disco, which by tradition also included the year that had just left and the younger teachers. WALLOP! The two left together after about 30 minutes at the disco. A fine time was had by all, we later heard.

It could be that M&S did due diligence, were aware of the issues and decided to go ahead anyway. They now know precisely what the planning committee want and can negotiate with them to reach a compromise. Alternatively, M&S may have taken a hands off approach and let the freeholder take the risk and the cost of the application. Thus nobody within M&S will get their arses kicked for the rejection and no costs have been incurred to M&S. Its up to the freeholder to sort out, if they want M&S, they will. Now that the freeholder can see that the likes of Waitrose or M&S want the site, the days of Iceland are numbered. Whatever happens with the planning application and building changes, the rent will go up.