Trouble at Val's

[steveo]

Those boys stopped someone nicking my bike a while back. Full marks

[HonaloochieB]

stereforth Wrote:

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> A friend of mine ran a video shop in LL near Goose

> green some years back. Coincidentally, soon after

> Sainsbury's opened on DKH, parking restrictions

> were increased and very heavily enforced. Council

> officers regularly inspected his premises for

> by-law infringements. This was not isolated.

> According to him it became a frequent complaint of

> traders in competition with Sainsbury's. Surely

> just a coincidence.

So, you're a mate of Geoff?

[agathoise]

Sherwick Wrote:

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> Ah yes, Val's is good. The P Off next to

> Sainsbury's is horrible (well the people who work

> in there are IMHO) and really does p me right off.

I like them, they've been really helpful (well above and beyond the call of duty at the post office bit) over the years. They also often have things on very good price-promotions: Innocent Smothies for ?2, the Lurpack I mentioned above a pound cheaper than Sainsbury's, etc. They have a surprising amount of stock for such a small shop and I find their prices are generally good. It must be gutting for them to watch a steady stream of people walking into the Sainsbury's next door and not even noticing their shop.

I'll shop wherever makes sense -- where I get the best value and service and can find the things that I need. In real terms this means lots of day to day items locally, and a "dry goods" supermarket delivery every couple of weeks. I'm glad that the Sainsbury's Local has opened, it carries lines that the other local shops don't.I'm hoping that Val's and the Post Office shop don't suffer too much as a result - I'm definitely spending more money in Val's and the Post Office shop now than I did before because of the Sainsbury's and the new butchers, and having less frequent grocery deliveries, which is great.

[puzzled]

do not underestimate sainsburys corporate muscle and their willingness to use it. I recall when the dog kennel hill megastore opened. suddenly there were traffic wardens and police all over lordship lane, ticketing parked cars. my own car was towed away from a side street. this went on for weeks until mr tanna the pharmacist started the traders association's successful war on the council to save lordship lane street parking. I have no difficulty in believing the dark forces are involved in the attack on val's store.

[Bony Fido]

When I first heard that Sainsbury's were moving into that area near the Library, I wondered why. In hindsight it is easy to understand their rationale :- In a compact little area there are effectively 4 grocers/greengrocers,5 off-licences, a baker, 3 newsagents, and recently a butcher. If we can move in and, by hook or by crook, mop up the custom of all these we'll be on a nice big earner. Perhaps they hadn't reckoned with the local customers who obviously appreciate having a choice.

[Musowriter]

I'm pleased that Sainsbury's has arrived, as there are many products that I will always prefer to buy from a supermarket, and a thriving business on that site rather than an empty or run-down business makes the area feel safer. However I agree with previous posters that Val's fruit and vegetables are far better than Sainsbury's, and I'm keen to support lovely Nisha and her family, so I will continue to buy fresh produce and a few other things from her. Having a proper butcher within easy walking distance again is fantastic - what I've bought from them so far is also much better than meat from Sainsbury's - though it will test our allegiance to Mr Libretto on Wood Vale, who provided us with real meat for so many years when there were no other butchers in the area.

[louisiana]

I popped into the new Sainsbury's just to see what they had. The wine selection looks worse than Costcutter (special offer on Mateus Rose, anyone?). The bread is the usual 'Sainsbury's indifferent'. Just one type of bottled real ale (just like in East Berlin supermarkets before the wall came down).

Well at least it's got a cash machine to provide an alternative when the Lloyds one breaks down. I'll probably use that sometime.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

I have only been once and not been back after I could not get my nappies, cabbage and other various bits at Sainsbury's, had to go to Val's and Costcutters.

I might pop to Sainsbury's now and again but it will be very rare and I like DKH Sainsbury's, just not impressed with the local. I wished they had listened to us and put in a Marks Food Hall, that would have done much better!

[Domitianus]

HeidiHi Wrote:

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> I have only been once and not been back after I

> could not get my nappies, cabbage and other

> various bits at Sainsbury's, had to go to Val's

> and Costcutters.

> I might pop to Sainsbury's now and again but it

> will be very rare and I like DKH Sainsbury's, just

> not impressed with the local. I wished they had

> listened to us and put in a Marks Food Hall, that

> would have done much better!

"They" being?

[Brendan]

You know, "Them".

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

That is right...."Them".

[James Barber]

I had a chat with Val on Saturday.

She seemed quite relaxed and has now filled the necessary paperwork in and fruit and veg outside her shop.

I'm speaking with the executive councillor Linda Manchester to ask about how and when officers enforce.

She's offered to hold a surgery about this and generally community safety. Interested?

[Goodliz]

That is good news. Nisha's lovely displays of fresh fruit always encourage my kids to ask me to buy apples or satsumas or other nice stuff which is great in my opinion.

As lots of previous posters have said, Val's (and the other little shops) are much, much cheaper than the Sainsbury's local. The service at these shops is better too - particularly in Val's and Red Apple newsagents.