Iceland closing 27th June.

[tomskip]

Why do people hate having Iceland on our High Street so much? We have a huge Sainsburys and other expensive specialist food shops. Why can't there be a place for a cheaper food retailer?

[Beej]

if we wanted cheap we wouldn't be living in dulwich darling *removes tongue from cheek*

[LondonMix]

They aren't closing because some people may hate them on the forum. They (like any major chain) are making a business decision regarding their real estate as it fits in with their business model.

Its as simply as that.

[DulwichFox]

LondonMix Wrote:

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> They aren't closing because some people may hate

> them on the forum. They (like any major chain)

> are making a business decision regarding their

> real estate as it fits in with their business

> model.

>

> Its as simply as that.

No one suggested they were closing because people hated them. It's been on the cards for a ages.

I suspect their lease may of expired. don't quote me.

But it is true that people said that the store was an eyesore and did not have a place in E.D.

People said it was cheap and nasty and would prefer something more up market.

There are many people on EDF and many other residents who will be sad to see it go.

It has continued to provide good service for many years.

DulwichFox

[Otta]

robbin Wrote:

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> Why suppose the staff in a

> different chain store would be any less friendly

> and engender any less 'community spirit' by being

> chatty with the punters? Or is there yet more

> reverse snobbery at play here?

Perhaps because people have experienced many places and found the staff at the LL Iceland to be particularly good? If people are reporting it so why do you find it so difficult to believe it?

[spider69]

I have used Iceland in Peckham and found the staff no where near as good and the store leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Once the store in LL closes I wont be going out of my way to visit Peckham.

Great shame as the LL Iceland was an oasis in what ED was once all about.

Still I have been in my house since 1966. Rock ON

[Alan Medic]

Eyesore my rear end DF. Have you ever looked up at the buildings above the shops on LL? LL isn't pretty on street level or otherwise. It looks better than it used to but that's not saying much.

[Otta]

Totally agree Alan. Many shabbier high streets actually have wonderful buildings if you just look up.

[sedm]

I'm indifferent about the merits for and against Iceland, but do worry that a new M&S would take business away from the great independents on Lordship Lane - greengrocer/fishmonger/butcher/deli/baker etc - in a way that Iceland and Co-Op don't... *sigh*

[LondonMix]

Why?

[first mate]

Wondering if James Barber has any news on the fourth storey penthouse application for this site and which he said was being called in.

[Cedges]

sedm Wrote:

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> I'm indifferent about the merits for and against

> Iceland, but do worry that a new M&S would take

> business away from the great independents on

> Lordship Lane -

> greengrocer/fishmonger/butcher/deli/baker etc - in

> a way that Iceland and Co-Op don't... *sigh*

Why would you buy inferior quality meat and 3 times the price from M&S rather than William Rose if you are already a WR shopper?

If you eschew the Co-Op and buy veg from Pretty's already why would you suddenly switch to plastic wrapped veggies in M&S?

I agree that the Co-op will likely lose custom - I don't think their prices differ wildly from M&S but I prefer the ambience of M&S'.

I'll actually miss the Iceland as I've grown to use it quite a lot over the years but the reason they make money is by keeping some prices cheap and then keeping others quite high so shoppers are fooled into assuming they're buying cheap products. Check out the price of double cream as a good example, or the flour. The sugar, eggs and juices are however good value on brands.

[Otta]

Cedges Wrote:

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> but I prefer the ambience of M&S'.

That instantly made me think of this ;-)

[Jeremy]

Lots of people are busy, and end up picking up food in the evenings or on the way home from work. That's where somewhere like M&S will be pretty useful.

Their meat is actually pretty good. Overpriced for sure, but where else are you going to buy an edible steak locally at 8pm? Things like pizzas, curries, etc... it's edible enough and a decent step up from the co-op or Iceland.

[first mate]

It is clear that Iceland is closing and M&S in some form is moving in. What is not clear is whether a three storey building is to be made into four storey building. Addition of a fourth storey would have implications for the street height generally, and might set a precedent for higher buildings in future. James Barber had said the application for the fourth storey penthouses ( quite possibly proposed by the same developer who recently hit the news after knocking down a historic pub without permission) would be called in...but there has been no news since.

[kford]

It might be a mansard-style extension, which wouldn't affect the front profile of this already imposing building. We'll see. http://www.traditionalproductreports.com/images/roofing-april2014/7.jpg

[Swit and bold]

This can only be good for ED

[BlueOrchid]

So is it definitely an M&S food that is replacing Iceland? Does anyone know?

[LondonMix]

Yes, it is an M&S based on the planning application that has been approved. There is a separate thread on this (very long) with links to the application.

[Cedges]

Otta Wrote:

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> Cedges Wrote:

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

> -----

> > but I prefer the ambience of M&S'.

>

>

> That instantly made me think of this ;-)

>

>

Bloody brilliant - I'm hoping this is a true tale and it was in La Chardon while Micky's staring longingly down the road at the Caff!

[ChristineC]

aquarius moon Wrote:

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> I was just using dogs/cats/elephants as an

> example. Why stop at kangaroos and crocodile if

> there is no limit to what exotic animals can be

> used?

lamb is exotic in Germany . . .

[spark67]

Otta Wrote:

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

> DulwichFox Wrote:

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

> -----

> > Otta Wrote:

> >

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

>

> > -----

> > > These "exotic" meats can be found in any

> > > supermarket in Australia. It's not as though

> > > they're out shooting endangered species.

> > >

> > > Elephants I'd have an issue with.

> > >

> > > Cats? Who cares.

> >

> > ... I care.

> >

> > DulwichFox

>

> Interesting, most foxes would tear a cat to shreds

> given half the chance.

Not so in most cases, witnessed our cats practically tear a fox a new one last year in our back garden ! one of our cats is always looking out the window & shoots out the cat flap in pursuit when a fox dares to step foot on our patch (sorry foxy) ;)

anyway back on thread. found the big Iceland on the old kent road Dire when I tried it, half empty shelves, veg on it's last legs. Love the big purple "BARGAIN" signed place further up the road though. I would be very happy if Lidl took over the Icleand in ED, love the peckham one, practically halved our food bill. Just wouldn't use an M&S foods at all tbh.

[Jah Lush]

I shall be walking down to ASDA on Rye Lane for my bargains in future. The stroll down there will do me good anyway.

[Jeremy]

spark67 Wrote:

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> witnessed our cats practically tear a fox a new one last year in our

> back garden !

Some domestic cats are pretty much as big as foxes, and have superior speed/agility, and those razor sharp claws. So your story doesn't surprise me. But foxes have large mouths with strong jaws ... if it manages to grab the cat then it's all over.

[Mustard]

Practically tear a fox a new one? What does that mean? An old, timid or feeble cat wouldn't have a chance against a fox. I haven't ever seen a cat almost as big as a fox, unless it is a small cub.