SeanMacGabhann

Approximate couple income on benefits (excl any rent allowance) is, I believe, capped at around ?100 a week. Between them. And to think I go out to work everyday and bust my chops to keep people in luxury like that I agree with Asset - a month would be much more realistic to start to see/feel the true impact of living on benefits. It's a problem when Jamie et al fly in with gimmicky programme . And that doesn't even begin to factor in the fact that on benefits you don't necessarily live in a nice gaff, get to have a warm office every day etc that said I think the original post is well-intentioned (but it might appear to some as poverty-tourism?). It's a good excercise anyway given how much food is wasted generally The problem with the reluctance of many to buy good food at a good price isn't with those on benefit - anyone on as little as that (or minimum wage) do what they can just to get by .. it's more those on decentish money who refuse to pay more than ?2 for a chicken. What's decent-ish? One example is if your child is subscribing to those ring-tone lines at ?30-?40 a month then I reckon there is money to be spent on decent food. (every time those ring-tine ads come on I read the disclaimer at the end and can NOT believe what I'm reading)

Even tho I don't "do" supermarkets anymore I can pretty much see the rationale behind many of them: Iceland - cheap as chips for many (scary)items (they do overprice in some areas to make it up tho) Lidl/Aldi - for all the interesting and strange ingredients as well as cheap basics (if you don't worry too much about how they treat their staff - click here for one of many reports Waitrose - decent quality and staff reward schemes and the punter pays accordingly Tescos/Sainsbury's - world domination But M&S (especially M&S Food stores) are just odd - way way way overpriced for no discernible quality - ready meals and 2 baked spuds for just shy of a fiver (not because of sourcing, or suppliers but because they are ready-washed?) My take on the LL Somerfield is that it is about the right size for a supermarket, stocks decentish basics, the staff have been around for years in many cases and I find them mostly lovely and that some of the stock is marked-up beyond comprehension for a national chain. If a supermarket occupies that spot I would favour that one staying. Otherwise a Waitrose. Then a Morrisons

cazzy - you got plenty of supportive answers to your original post. You took overly-sensitive issue with one question and have been ignoring anything positive since. Robhdg also has qualified his statement and hasn't over-reacted to anyresponses Maybe it's not being female, lesbian or patronised that's causing anyone any problems here. Maybe it could just be..... you? You said: Some examples please? And does anything sound more hate-filled than: Glad to see recent weeks have been spent brusing up those diplomatic skills..

So someone who can afford cosmetic dentistry and advertises for Spanish tutors is saying ?1.50 is too much for a loaf of bread? This is why when people start de-railing an argument with "not everyone can afford..." I get a wee bit annoyed. I agree with maya that diversity is good but I hardly think an indi bakery opening is destroying the fabric of Grove Vale. Would Greggs be better? Must we live in a world where nothing better than 50p for a cup of instant coffee is available for fear of upsetting anyone?

Before WS opened I think I posted a link to the source of that info but I'm not able to copy/paste links at the mo... I'll try and get around to it later

Because white stuff have a good record with regards to sourcing clothes from non-sweat shop suppliers perhaps? There is a counter-argument that expensive shops also use sweat-shops and pocket the difference but White Stuff seem to get the thumbs up from the independent organisations which police these things

I checked this route out yesterday - if it's a cash cow then they are milking some very blinkered cows There are signs everywhere!

I didn't say it was a good thing! Just still something I can't shake - it has to have more butter than bread tho - mmmmmmmm

The chips are to die for the ones on louisas shoulder obviously

t'was cheeky of me I admit but don't dis the sis!

Anybody looking for Adrenochrome is advised to look here: Adrenochrome

Strange place to be giving an opinion then...

noone is seriously arguing that life expectancy is the same in 2008 as it was in 1950 are they???? Whatever the pros and cons of living longer, better diets and reduced tobacco and alcohol consumption do mean people live longer - you just don't have to take the advice. But why be so upset about it? WHy get in a tizz about the government - here are some guidelines - youdon't have to do anything about it But you would be a damn fool not to see the problems excessive alcohol consumption causes

And that's the governments fault because.....? Sorry different thread that one As for booze I can only echo Nero and Mockney's points - quality rather than quantity should be the watchword but I fear I am on the quantity side of the equation at the mo. And it's not because the government is telling me this - I'm more than aware of it myself

I have no real quarrel with you Spangles and if you are tired I'm not going to antagonise you further! Have a cup of tea and look out the window I don't think I mentioned ?3 loaves but no matter - the sun is out I think we should let the place open before we declare it as poncey (whatever that means) and definitely "organic" I don't even think there ARE that many poncey and organic places in ED anyway - it seems that way sometimes maybe

in that case Cassius, my answer would be "yes" I have no proof, no one I know has seen here but I believe she is heartfelt.

Spangles - an interest yes, but not a vested one I take your point about budgets etc but I wouldn't put a good bakery in the same bracket as the various trinket shops that abound Income and how it's spent turns out to be an emotive subject - I do ok now but for most of working life have been less fortunate - so I can only talk from my experience and couple that with more abstract concepts. Inevitably some people will just take that as me preaching but I'm only trying to talk regardless of income, most people have some idea about getting what one pays for? Even the youngest kid knows that they want Coca Cola and not Panda Cola - and no amount of pleading from cash-poor parent is going to convince them. Ditto loaf of bread - most people, if not everyone, can, at least once, spend ?2 on a decent loaf of bread instead of the average of ?1 in supermarkets. Yes you can get bread for much cheaper but you need about 6 slices just to feel like you've eaten something So if a place does sell decent bread (and Morrisons have their own upmarket/pricey selection too) what's to complain about? Or should we just have every shop be a Lidl/Tesco

more rap than hiphop but I'm a big fan of this guy - Saul Williams List of Demands

cassius - let's just leave the "funny" comment as the joke it is and not re-open a "class" debate in here - the road to the next forum drinks is knee-deep in the bodies of previous class battles ;-)

further back om the thread KK someone mentioned they only returned because the owner was already aware of the issues and said they had been resolved. Not the first time I've heard that either

and imagine if there was a government fixed price in the UK? Marmora Man and ???? would implode!! One caveat re: organic however. I've said it before so apologies but I'm not overly fussed about organic - with meat maybe because it encapsulates animal welfare but otherwise I'm not too bothered. I understand the aspiration but labelling something organic doesn't make it tasty, healthy or "nice" - I have drunk some organic juices and eaten some organic breads that are just plain revolting But organic or not, good breads can be a thing of wonder. I still like nasty white sliced for morning toast tho'

California Love - a classic absolutely LOVING that No Regrets Dave C

someone on the forum is going to Paris soon aren't they? Something they won't see there is people complaining about overpriced shops selling bread - because people over there seem to like and value decent bread Why open up a business at all if all people want to do is go to Lidl or Morrisons? Moses wept

What IS the matter with you Louisa?? This is all about poor service - and I haven't been to the BMC more than 3 or 4 times in last 4 years - it always seems busy so I doubt it misses me. Service has always been scatty in there and a shame to hear it hasn't improved. Food has mostly been solid but then I've only gone for breakfasts so not much room to mess up. The only reason I don't go more often is the fact that it's always really busy, I know the service will suffer and by god it gets loud in there

no matter how sunny - he sees a darkness ;-) for sunnier tunes - this morning I had "Treehouse" by I'm from Barcelona come on - now THAT is summery