Irish Shop to close

[Tanza]

There's an article in Southwark News reporting that The Irish Shop is to close after 20 years. The owner is quoted as saying "The overheads are now too much on Lordship Lane. Shops open up and they just don't last. Business has been terrible for a few years. The supermarkets started doing the Irish stuff and they can do it more cheaply than we can."

[speedbird]

Couldn't fathom how it was surviving, so not really a surprise....

[El Pibe]

oh, a sad day. Can i ask her to open an english shop in SE Ireland?

[muffins78]

Oh that is sad news, was thinking earlier that I'd be able to pop in tomorrow as off work. Will definitely go in now :(

[Mick Mac]

El Pibe Wrote:

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> oh, a sad day. Can i ask her to open an english

> shop in SE Ireland?

Ha - and that would perform equally poorly probably. "hey Paddy, did yee see dat shap sellin Carling Black Label and jellied eels - it's shut already"

[El Pibe]

I did try wo warn Lousia it wouldn't work, though the Angel Delight and prawn cocktail restaurant went down a storm!!!!

[Dopamine1979]

I must admit I thought it had closed years ago. I seem to vaguely remember they had a painting of Kramer from Seinfeld in their window when I used to walk past there circa 1999.

[unlurked]

No great loss imo. However, probably a knock on effect from the hall closing down/new cinema certain people want so bad as the hall hosted many irish themed etc events.

[wavyline girl]

What do you mean no great loss? Have a bit of sensitivity. This was someone's shop.

You might relish the chance of yet another coffee shop, or bar, for the new chattering classes, but I personally lament the loss of such independent shops ( that predate the discovery of the area by the new, young, MC types.)

Oops sorry?let that slip!

[muffins78]

It's a loss to the lady who runs it, who put her time and effort in it, and those who do like to shop there! Some people who visit there, have a routine around it e.g coming to get the weekly news from their local area or getting yummy fresh baked bread! :( :(

[NewWave]

wavyline girl Wrote:

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> What do you mean no great loss? Have a bit of

> sensitivity. This was someone's shop.

> You might relish the chance of yet another coffee

> shop, or bar, for the new chattering classes, but

> I personally lament the loss of such independent

> shops ( that predate the discovery of the area by

> the new, young, MC types.)

> Oops sorry?let that slip!

I agree..Even though I never shopped there I'm pretty damn sure there are plenty of elderly irish folks (and younger ones too) that enjoyed going in there, I think the loss of any quirky independent shop is bad news. I hate how homogenised every high street seems to be these days. You can only have so many coffee shops and artisan bread shops and delis and then it all becomes a bit 'Meh'

[unlurked]

NewWave Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> wavyline girl Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > What do you mean no great loss? Have a bit of

> > sensitivity. This was someone's shop.

> > You might relish the chance of yet another

> coffee

> > shop, or bar, for the new chattering classes,

> but

> > I personally lament the loss of such

> independent

> > shops ( that predate the discovery of the area

> by

> > the new, young, MC types.)

> > Oops sorry?let that slip!

>

> I agree..Even though I never shopped there I'm

> pretty damn sure there are plenty of elderly irish

> folks (and younger ones too) that enjoyed going in

> there, I think the loss of any quirky independent

> shop is bad news. I hate how homogenised every

> high street seems to be these days. You can only

> have so many coffee shops and artisan bread shops

> and delis and then it all becomes a bit 'Meh'

Maybe if you'd have shopped there Wavyhead and purchased some freshly baked artisan bread then it would still be afloat?! It's the cinema effect, this is just the start.

[grace3]

The ould wans that used to 'shop' there are all dead. (too many stale soda farls )

[muffins78]

Is that meant to be funny? Or insensitive?

[maxxi]

Gutted.

Now where can I get the red lemonade and Irish-Cadbury Caramel Bar treats for my OH? Not to mention Taytos and Club Orange - okay so you might have to settle for an Irish Independent instead of an Examiner and you maybe had to let herself finish a conversation she was having before getting your hands on your swag but this is a real loss to the area.

[muffins78]

I find the flour there a lot better for baking too! There's loads there!! Kimberley biscuits too

[brezzo]

"The slow death of Irish England" to paraphrase. Time was when every single pub in London could be described as Irish.

[GipsyRose]

You can order Tayto, Kimberley, club orange, old time irish marmalade with Tesco online but not Galtee or proper bacon!

[numbers]

not hugely surprised to see closure of small independent shop and tesco mentioned on the same thread.

[buddug]

So where will I get my buttermilk now!

[cl]

Just get it from SMBS. and much better service there too......

[maxxi]

numbers Wrote:

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> not hugely surprised to see closure of small

> independent shop and tesco mentioned on the same

> thread.

If it were just hoofing up the road to a Tescos that'd be one thing - it's the fact that this imperfect little gem can be replaced by sitting behind the curtains and getting it all 'online'.

[El Pibe]

There's a massive tesco in our town Maxxi, so it's all happening again ;)

Seriously, if your OH wants the new ross standard I'll happily post it once a week!!

[*Bob*]

I still miss Target Arms

[LadyDeliah]

Maybe someone could help her with an online Irish shop. I don't think any retailers can compete without online purchasing options.