Waitrose in Sydenham

[tjc]

I heard that Waitrose were interested in putting one of their shops in the new development by the station.

[biscuit]

If only.....

[dickp]

It's not impossible.

A few moths ago, someone posted on here the email address of an estate agent acting on Waitrose' behalf, and also their requirements for new local stores - which the Greyhouse site matched exactly.

So I wrote to him, pitching Sydenham as a site they should consider. Possibly along with thousands of other middle-class Waitrose fans around the country - but you have to enter the competition to win it!

Did anyone else do the same?

[tjc]

It was mentioned in Sydenham Labour party minutes

[Tim Lund]

It's an interesting reflection on the relevance of the Sydenham Town centre steering group that nothing is said in its meetings about Waitrose coming to Sydenham, but this is mentioned in the Sydenham Labour party minutes.

[Robin Orton]

Why do we want another (expensive, poncy) foodshop on the High Street? What's in it for us struggling OAPs? I'm glad to hear that the Labour Party, the champions of the poor, are campaigning against it.

[dickp]

Well, to be blunt.

Perhaps Waitrose isn't for people like you. Perhaps it's for like people like me.

The High Street should be for everyone - poncy and non poncy.

However, it's worth noting that Waitrose in Beckenham does some amazing discounts at certain times of the day (normally Thursday, at 10am). You really can eat like a king for not very much - if you have a freezer to put it in.

Rabit and pheasant portions for 75p each, anyone?

[Tim Lund]

Calm down, Robin.

All we know, on the authority of 'tjc', is that it was mentioned in Sydenham Labour party minutes - nothing about what the attitude towards it was. I'd be quite surprised, however, if they were campaigning against it.

As to whether it's right for Sydenham Road, in the sense of being what people here want, I can't see any reason not to go with market forces. In other words if Waitrose management think it right, well, good on them.

There have been various discussions here about 'pound shops', nail-bars etc., and whether or not these are a fair reflection of what people living in Sydenham want, taking into account demographics, car ownership and such like. I'd say the balance of opinion is that Sydenham Road shops would do better to be moving up market rather than down, while seeing a continuing role for many existing businesses. I think it quite possible that Waitrose think the same - and I for one would welcome the UK's leading social enterprise to our High Street!

[syd]

Actually Waitrose is cheaper than Sainsburys and Co-Op for fresh fish, meat from the butcher and decent wine I was surprised. Just dont go near the duchy original products.

[leenewham]

Waitrose is the fastest growing supermarket in the UK. It supports a lot of UK farmers. It spends more on ingredients than other supermarkets so in theory at least it's products are better quality. You will also find that on many items it's the same price as the main supermarkets and cheaper than the likes of Tesco Metro (who charge a small store premium).

We have lots of choice but not much is 'aspirational'. I personally don't have anything against a successful, ethical, non-stock market, totally British brand that shares it's profits with all it's employees coming to the high street that will bring jobs to Sydenham. Sounds almost socialist!

[leenewham]

Just out of interest Robin, what are the other 'expensive poncy' foodshops in Sydenham?

[Thomas]

I've shopped in several different Waitrose stores over the years and I'm a big fan. Caters to both low-budget and the more "poncy" shoppers alike, and their employee ownership structure has much to commend and should be copied more widely. Can't say that their store near East Croydon station has "ponced up" the area though...

[Robin Orton]

Just out of interest Robin, what are the other 'expensive poncy' foodshops in Sydenham?

asked Lee.

I know of none - that's why I said 'another (expensive, poncy) foodshop' - i.e. shorthand for 'another foodshop and an expensive, poncy one to boot' - rather than just 'another expensive poncy foodshop.'

Perhaps Waitrose isn't for people like you

Thanks, 'dickp'. I know my place, but it's good to be reminded from time to time.

Calm down, Robin

I'm quite calm, Tim, and I can always take one of my tablets if necessary, but thanks for your concern.

[leenewham]

So why did you say we dont want another 'poncy foodshop' in Sydenham if we don't have any?

Sorry, I'm totally baffled (but I only went to a state comprehensive school).

[Robin Orton]

There's no need to mock the elderly, Lee, just because we didn't have your privileges. There weren't them new-fangled "Comprehensive Schools" or owt like that around when I were a lad.

We have lots of choice but not much is 'aspirational'.

But what I did learn (at the various Board schools I attended ) was that 'aspirational' was not the sort of word that one ought to use in the context of grocers' shops. What one should 'aspire' to were things like truth, beauty and virtue, and I don't see how having a Waitrose in Sydenham Road would help us much with that.

[leenewham]

Calm down Robin, I'm not mocking you. I was actually mocking myself. I apologize if you thought otherwise. I'd never mock the elderly, although I enjoy a good banter with my grandparents.

I totally agree with you about truth, beauty and virtue.

But I believe Waitrose are about those things.

The stores look great and the packaging is beautiful.

They are virtuous as they have good corporate responsibility, pay British farmers more than other supermarkets, have strong ethical policies and share their profits with their workers rather than shareholders. I also find that beautiful that in this corporate world some companies care.

They are transparent as a company, which hopefully convers off truth. Their motto is 'Good food honestly priced'. If you want a company that isn't virtuous, try Lidl. They have no corporate responsibility accounts at all.

Furthermore, if you don't like them or think what they stand for is wrong, you dont have to shop there! But if you do,m and you do want to shop there, you have that choice. They aren't replacing a Lidl. A Waitrose won't make Sydenham posh or poncy. It hasn't in Croydon.

I really don't understand why you are so against a company investing in the local area, that will create jobs and probably help bring more people, footfall and spend onto the high street. Don't take this as an attack, I think it's an interesting debate, I'm really trying to understand!

[JeeBee]

A Waitrose near the station would be great for those of us living in that direction. It's a pain to walk down to the Co-op and risk it not being re-stocked, and then walk all the way back. Food in Waitrose is pretty good as well.

[summerbreeze]

Calm down Robin, I'm not mocking you. I was actually mocking myself. I apologize if you thought otherwise. I'd never mock the elderly, although I enjoy a good banter with my grandparents.

I totally agree with you about truth, beauty and virtue.

But I believe Waitrose are about those things.

The stores look great and the packaging is beautiful.

They are virtuous as they have good corporate responsibility, pay British farmers more than other supermarkets, have strong ethical policies and share their profits with their workers rather than shareholders. I also find that beautiful that in this corporate world some companies care.

They are transparent as a company, which hopefully convers off truth. Their motto is 'Good food honestly priced'. If you want a company that isn't virtuous, try Lidl. They have no corporate responsibility accounts at all.

Furthermore, if you don't like them or think what they stand for is wrong, you dont have to shop there! But if you do,m and you do want to shop there, you have that choice. They aren't replacing a Lidl. A Waitrose won't make Sydenham posh or poncy. It hasn't in Croydon.

I really don't understand why you are so against a company investing in the local area, that will create jobs and probably help bring more people, footfall and spend onto the high street. Don't take this as an attack, I think it's an interesting debate, I'm really trying to understand!

I am in total support for cooperatives just wish every business was managed this way.

[Monica]

So, how do we find out if this is actually happening or not?

[Tim Lund]

Monica:

I approached Waitrose and asked if there was anything in the public domain. They responded with this link to a Waitrose Forum http://www.waitrose.com/forum/default.a ... sts&t=1651, which tells you that nothing is opening here in 2011 - but that is probably not news, since I don't suppose it will be ready by then. (I'm not sure of the development time scale, but maybe someone can help out here?)

So one simple answer to your question is, I guess, to keep an eye on the link given here. Alternatively, get close to the developers in one way or the other - but then you may not be able to share it with the rest of us. For the record, I know nothing more than what 'tjc' has posted here.

I guess those of us who would like to see a Waitrose here could go onto this Forum and say so - and maybe Robin could go on and say why he doesn't want one here.