Major makeover going on at Somerfield at long last. Main work is being done at night.
It's a bit chaotic at present and there are lots of half price bargains but the store looks a much brighter already. Fingers crossed that this will prove to be the supermarket we have all been waiting for.
Somerfield
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Pat Trembath
- Posts: 613
- Joined: 2 Oct 2004 10:54
This from Monday's Independent:
"Peter Marks, the chief executive of The Co-operative Group, has revealed that he plans to close Somerfield's head office in Bristol next year, putting hundreds of jobs at risk, and that it will take "at least two years" to convert more than 650 Somerfield stores to its own brand.
Speaking for the first time about his plans after the Co-operative's £1.57bn acquisition of Somerfield is completed next month, Mr Marks said that the UK's largest mutual retailer would run Somerfield as a "separate entity" for about 18 months while the integration of the two local grocery chains takes place.
The OFT said the acquisition of the 800-store Somerfield estate would be good for consumers, but it forced The Co-operative to dispose of 133 stores in areas where it had concerns about competition. The Co-operative has already sold a large number of the stores to rivals including Morrisons and Waitrose.
The Co-operative is currently refurbishing its more than 2,500 food stores, as part of a wider £1.5bn rebranding exercise across the whole group. "
I cannot find a list of which 133 stores are not part of the merger but as the Co-op has a small footprint in the area I presume Sydenham will become a Co-op.
Admin
"Peter Marks, the chief executive of The Co-operative Group, has revealed that he plans to close Somerfield's head office in Bristol next year, putting hundreds of jobs at risk, and that it will take "at least two years" to convert more than 650 Somerfield stores to its own brand.
Speaking for the first time about his plans after the Co-operative's £1.57bn acquisition of Somerfield is completed next month, Mr Marks said that the UK's largest mutual retailer would run Somerfield as a "separate entity" for about 18 months while the integration of the two local grocery chains takes place.
The OFT said the acquisition of the 800-store Somerfield estate would be good for consumers, but it forced The Co-operative to dispose of 133 stores in areas where it had concerns about competition. The Co-operative has already sold a large number of the stores to rivals including Morrisons and Waitrose.
The Co-operative is currently refurbishing its more than 2,500 food stores, as part of a wider £1.5bn rebranding exercise across the whole group. "
I cannot find a list of which 133 stores are not part of the merger but as the Co-op has a small footprint in the area I presume Sydenham will become a Co-op.
Admin
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biscuitman1978
- Posts: 1588
- Joined: 16 May 2006 20:14
- Location: Chislehurst; previously Sydenham
Admin, you're absolutely right.admin wrote: I cannot find a list of which 133 stores are not part of the merger but as the Co-op has a small footprint in the area I presume Sydenham will become a Co-op.
The list of stores to be divested is at http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/merger ... op-UIL.pdf (see annexes to the document).
The Sydenham store is not among them.
It doesn't matter whose name is on the front of the shop, or how attractive it looks after a refit, nobody will shop there if, after gathering their shopping, they stand in a long queue at the checkout whilst two or three tills stand empty and staff wander around looking at the queue in a state of panic instead of opening up a checkout and helping reduce it.
I was in Somerfield twice this week and picked up some brilliant bargains. I think it is already looking a lot better but does anyone know if the bakery will still be operating? They have more check out capacity which is great BUT it will only be any good if they have the people actually working at the checkouts!
get's my thumbs up, definitely will use on a regular basis from now on Yes, I was in there the other day as well.
The signs are good, after my earlier criticisms, it's nice to be able to eat my words.
That said, it wasn't exactly busy, so we shall see what happens next time there's a big queue.
The new layout is much like the Somerfield in Croydon, which is far far busier and usually muc better staffed.
but, yeah, definately a vast improvement.
The signs are good, after my earlier criticisms, it's nice to be able to eat my words.
That said, it wasn't exactly busy, so we shall see what happens next time there's a big queue.
The new layout is much like the Somerfield in Croydon, which is far far busier and usually muc better staffed.
but, yeah, definately a vast improvement.
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sydenhamboy
- Posts: 264
- Joined: 8 Oct 2006 10:33
- Location: sydenham
Havent been in the new store yet, has the new layout been designed for its transition to be the Co-Operative food because Co-Operative food have taken over Somerfield...?
Hopefully they change the exterior and signage so the shop name 'to be Co-Operative' is more accesible to the eye as you walk past it in the high street. I do wish they would remove that ugly, white 'typical 80's supermarket style' shelter thing off the front of the building from its original 'Safeway' design, it makes the inside all dark and gloomy.
I will visit soon, hope its as nice as everyone says
Hopefully they change the exterior and signage so the shop name 'to be Co-Operative' is more accesible to the eye as you walk past it in the high street. I do wish they would remove that ugly, white 'typical 80's supermarket style' shelter thing off the front of the building from its original 'Safeway' design, it makes the inside all dark and gloomy.
I will visit soon, hope its as nice as everyone says
I truly hope this wont become a Cooperative. My mother works for the organisation and till and counter staff have been working with no heating on for months as the store has switched off heating in the shop to save money. The checkout girls have chillblains on their fingers and my mother has had five chillblains on her feet. They sit and have their lunch with their coats on, whilst the management team ensure their offices are heater to the degree they are wearing short sleeved shirts. Several times the union have appeared and the heating has gone on only for it to be switched off again once they've left. Noone dare make a fuss for fear of their jobs
Customers often joke its warmer outside the store
Customers often joke its warmer outside the store
Was in the alledged 'new' Somerfield today, and to be honest its not as nice as id hoped it would be, all the changes seem to have been done on the cheapest form possible, nothing like the East Dulwich one 
theres only a few differences and still space for more checkouts, its still very pokey and dark in there, a bit more llight wouldnt go a miss Mr Somerfield! Also no proper Bakery, but still the expensive prices without the quality to warrant. Think were a long way from the East Dulwich design.
theres only a few differences and still space for more checkouts, its still very pokey and dark in there, a bit more llight wouldnt go a miss Mr Somerfield! Also no proper Bakery, but still the expensive prices without the quality to warrant. Think were a long way from the East Dulwich design.