LondonMix

Its a Food Hall not a Simply Foods :)

Charlton has a Waitrose and M&S. It doesn't make you push nor does a lack of one make you shabby. Louisa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Jeremy Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I've no problem with charity shops. And as it > goes > > I think Beckenham is perfectly OK. But posh > ???!! > > > Jeremy, I know it pains the ED hoi polloi to have > to admit that Beckenham has had a Waitrose and M&S > for years, many many of them. Along with a > sainsburys and a lidl, a Foxtons, Nandos.. I could > go on. It's attracted wealthy people for decades. > Some neighbourhoods want to have it, some had it > and lost it, others have always had it aka > Beckenham. > > Louisa.

Oh, out of confinement for a while and the old stirrings are starting to rise to the surface! Crouch End (the East Dulwich of the North!) has an M&S and a Waitrose. So does Charlton / Eltham. Louisa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I popped in again today. > > It isn't as good as the Beckenham store on > reflection. Staff not quite as clued up (yet) and > stock levels low. Also, the range isn't anywhere > near as good. Disappointing freezer section too > and no deli counter. But then, Beckenham is > naturally posh, and ED is, well.. I don't have to > spell it out. It's ok. Nothing spectacular though. > Some good wines. > > A lidl to replace co-op would be the ideal > situation now. We don't need bloody Waitrose AND > M&S. This is a dump that's been given a makeover, > it's not Chelsea FFS. > > Louisa.

I'm not sure nannies can be self employed in the way you are envisioning. The law on this changed a number of years ago. I'd definitely get some specialist tax and legal advice.

It wasn't a criticism. I'm just underlining the fact its not a supermarket. Many posters have suggested people will be driving from all over South London to do their weekly shops at this new store causing parking chaos. My point is that it really isn't that type of store. Chief Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Why would they sell nappies and toothpaste? The > clue is in the name: Food Hall!

M&S has nothing to do with the flats. The enforcement against the developer's flats can proceed without impacting the store operations. They are two separate issues.

I have been inside and I agree with Jeremy's conclusion. They don't sell nappies, toothpaste, etc nor anything that is not M&S own brand besides the booze. You can't reasonably do a weekly shop there as a family and they aren't expecting people to either based on the set up. I picked up some figs and soy milk this morning on my way into work. Very convenient. Its for topping up food between shops, picking up last minute food for dinner, ready lunches and picnic / party food. first mate Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Jeremy, don't know if you have been inside but > this place seems to offer rather more than items > for an occasional meal. I would say they are offer > enough to occasion a weekly shop for small > families. There is also a very large food storage > area at the back. > > I never envisaged something this size. I would be > simply amazed if people do not drive here to do > weekly shops.

People want to see what its like. I think the 4 threads on M&S on the forum are much sadder than going to see it on opening day. And yes I'm sad for being on this thread and no I didn't go to the opening this morning... Alan Medic Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > titch juicy Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > That queue, or more to the point, the fact that > > people are actually queuing, is hilarious. > > > I'd say there's something sad about it. What are > people expecting to find? Narnia?

Haha-- its all for naught! taper Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > LondonMix Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > taper Wrote: > > > -------------------------------------------------- > > > ----- > > > Oh happy day. Oh day of days. What's the > > > underpant section like? > > > > > > Its a Food Hall-- no clothes (or pants) > > Oh no. But that's what I've been looking forward > to for the last decade.

taper Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Oh happy day. Oh day of days. What's the > underpant section like? Its a Food Hall-- no clothes (or pants)

I agree. I've always said that. worldwiser Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I guess cause he doesn't have to! Very > occasionally it's really rather nice that some > businesses are immune to market forces. I'm sure > that curry house on the corner of Matham Gv which > has been under renovations for about a millenium > must be another case. They'd have dumped about > ?50k in rent if not. Pretty sure the card shop, > the Dulwich DIY shop too.. this fact alone will > ensure diversity of commerce for quite some time > to come. > > And as I've mentioned before, only about 30 or so > shops are chains out of almost 250 units in the ED > vicinity. The idea that we have an identikit high > street is simply not backed up by any evidence at > all.

Ha-- I always wondered how Churner stayed open. That's no offence to them but they just never seem that busy and they don't seem to innovate as much as Rye Books for instance.

Why would that stop a Nandos opening. If it wasn't clear, I'm in favor of that!

That sounds tasty. I actually haven't found a place for really good breakfast since Lucas closed. Its a shame the partners couldn't work out their differences as that place was always packed, the food was so good. Louisa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I too will miss Londis LM, but I assume with the > M&S comes the increased destination footfall, and > the interest of a chain restaurant. On a positive > note, IF it is Bill's, they really are a very > decent restaurant chain. They do a diverse and > tasty breakfast menu that's for sure. I can > certaintly recommend their buttermilk pancakes > with maple syrup and back streaky bacon. Went to > their Exeter restaurant back in January. > > Louisa.

Lot's of flats have boilers in bedrooms. Many people when converting their lofts locate the boiler in the loft bedroom. Its fine. You should have carbon monoxide detectors either way.

Oh, hadn't heard that. Don't tease me about Nandos... You know its my chain restaurant weak spot! Never heard of Bill's. Will go google it now :) I'll miss Londis though. Good sized news agents are useful. Louisa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > On the topic of the future of Londis, I was under > the impression Bill's were interested. They are a > higher end small chain of restaurants, with the > nearest branch being Greenwich I believe, possibly > Clapham too. A modern take on traditional > favourites, they also serve breakfast. Initially I > was under the impression Nando's were the likely > candidate, but it's still all a little hush hush. > > Louisa's

Elphinstone-- how old are you? That story sounds like its from the Victorian era! What makes you think Question Time is closing? Have you heard something specific? Londis's planning application doesn't look like a coffee chain but rather a restaurant based on the internal reconfiguration. Anyhow, one thing is sure change is inevitable. Worldwiser, I hadn't realised they had a Waitrose and an M&S. Still, that only partially makes up for the fact you have to live in north London :)

I think most of the indies are priced well. My only comment was on Franklins, which may shut.

Ah Crouch End, the ED of the north! worldwiser Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I was in the Co-op in Crouch End the other day - > the look and feel of that branch is unrecognisable > compared to the ED one and a total delight. So the > improvements may already be coming unless Co-op > feels the people of CE are more deserving than ED.

Someone mentioned the Co-Op owns their store. Is this so or is it a more standard lease arrangement? I'm sure some knowledgeable soul on the forum knows. Besides the CO-OP and Foxtons unit I'm not sure there is anywhere else a Waitrose (even a mini one) could go.

I certainly won't mourn. The place is horrid. titch juicy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > LondonMix Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Yeah, there are probably people on the edge > where > > its only the quality that gets them to the > indies > > despite the inconvenience. Hopefully the > overall > > increase in footfall will offset that. Time > will > > tell. I think they'll be okay though. > > > > The co-op though-- I just don't know how it can > > survive. > > I agree about the co-op. I can't see too many > mourning it's loss though.

Yeah, there are probably people on the edge where its only the quality that gets them to the indies despite the inconvenience. Hopefully the overall increase in footfall will offset that. Time will tell. I think they'll be okay though. The co-op though-- I just don't know how it can survive.

titch juicy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > I fear a little (only a little as I think there's > room for both) for Moxons, William Rose, NCR > market, Franklins. But, if it forces prices down a > little in those places, then it's a good thing. I think for Moxons, William Rose, NCR market, the Cheeseblock etc, people go there for the experience (it feels nice and quaint) and the quality. They won't switch to M&S as that format is for people who value convenience more than strolling down the high street popping into all their local favorites. I can say this as a pompous ass who shops at those idie shops and the market weekly. If I ask my partner to get things for me, he always goes to Sainsbury (either the small local one near Crystal Palace Rd or the big one) so he can get everything done in one place as fast as possible. He supports the indies but just can't be bothered if we are busy, which is most of the time, whereas I always use them even though it takes longer. Franklins I think could suffer though as I'm not sure the quality or selection is that great and the prices are insane.

Angelina Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I thought it was bigger than co-op as it's > extended out. > > We'll have to wait and see. I don't think its bigger but let's see. I imagine it will serve the same shopping niche as the co-op plus the convenience food, picnic, lunch food, party food niches as well. I don't know how much trade they need to survive but I can imagine a lot of local workers wanting a salad or whatever for lunch will use it as easy grab and go food. It'll be busiest I reckon in the evenings. Instead of using the London Bridge branch at the station (which is rammed), people will use this one on their way home. On the weekends, people will grab picnic foods and stuff for parties and through out the week, will top up on fruit, veg etc they need during the week outside of their weekly shopping. No one wants to go all the way to Sainsbury in Dog Kennel for just a small top up bag. As an aside, the big weekly shop is apparently dying out. I was reading an article in the press by Waitrose boss and they are emphasizing their smaller format convenience stores for new openings based on data they've collected. According to their research, 75% of people (including families) at 4pm still don't know what they are having for dinner that night. Most people buy each dinner meal, one meal at a time, on their way home in the evenings. I was surprised the number was so high.

BrandNewGuy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > High prices, poor stock control, rude staff, huge > queues, rotten fruit and veg... Exactly