Topic ID 3179
Despite the fact that we have three supermarkets, all selling alcohol, we still have three off-licences that seems to be able to make a living in the town. How come we can't support a single fishmonger, butcher or greengrocer?
Reply ID 45991
Sign of the times I suppose, in the future your local resident of Hertford Town will be walking around without any shoes on his/her feet & feeling high with alcohol then goes to a coffee house to sober up before making up there mind to go into a Estate Agents & put their house up for sale. On there way to the Estate Agents they could call into a Holiday shop & book a holiday, they certainly will need 1.
Reply ID 45994
We already have a greengrocer - it's called the market... i dont see how a greengrocer could compete with the market stalls on the weekend they're very good. Sure nto as convenient - but they would be in direct competition. And we do support local trade - just look how crazily busy the market gets!
Reply ID 46000
quote:We can, and did, support a fishmonger - Claydons was always heaving and didn't, if I remember correctly, close due to lack of trade. To back that up, see the permanent queue at the fish van on a Saturday. Butchers - I agree. So long as people balk at paying more than £3 for a chicken, a decent quality butcher has no chance in the town.
Originally posted by Steve
How come we can't support a single fishmonger, butcher or greengrocer?
Reply ID 46002
Alcohol has a high level of brand loyalty. Hence it is harder to produce saleable copies using cheap labour and the independents can still compete. Many brands will not allow their products to be used as loss leaders and heavy discounting of alcohol products attracts dissaproval from licensing bodies. Other factors are location, speed of service and smokers, who do not want to queue twice just to buy one bottle and twenty fags. There is probably less likelyhood of unexpectedly needing to buy a trout locally at short notice. Few party invites include the words "Bring wet fish and an artichoke".
Reply ID 46004
I would more than welcome the return of a Butcher, etc. Sadly, many now do not have the time, knowledge or inclination to cook fresh food. If they are going to the Supermarket then they just get evrything. Even a nutritionalist asked me if I check salt content etc on the labels, when asked 'what labels' her response was - oh, you actually cook it for real. I felt quite abnormal (more so than usual) actually having the cheek to prefer to use real meat and then make soups and stock from it. It's a sign of the times.
Reply ID 46007
quote:You are not alone or abnormal. I also cook from scratch and my girlfriend's children now don't like the pre-prepared stuff they were eating four years ago. It's cheaper and less wasteful not to shop at supermarkets if you cook in this way.
Originally posted by Tigger
I would more than welcome the return of a Butcher, etc. Sadly, many now do not have the time, knowledge or inclination to cook fresh food. If they are going to the Supermarket then they just get evrything. Even a nutritionalist asked me if I check salt content etc on the labels, when asked 'what labels' her response was - oh, you actually cook it for real. I felt quite abnormal (more so than usual) actually having the cheek to prefer to use real meat and then make soups and stock from it. It's a sign of the times.
Reply ID 46012
quote:Thankfully there are some of us left. I am not saying that I never use the Supermarketsand sometimes there is some 'emergency' rubbish, usually reserved for Mr Tig. if I'm not around and he can't be bothered to cook (although he is good). At the end of the day you know, within reason whats in it. Cook it to your personal tastes and it does not take that much longer. If I had a bigger kitchen I would be in Heaven. I cannot see the point of wasting good stock when you have your meat juices and veg left over, in favour of some processed yuk. Keep up the good work and get them involved, we may all return to real food eventually and not be held up getting to the loo paper aisle by people blocking the way whilst reading the contents of packaged food and comparing them.
Originally posted by shuntquote:You are not alone or abnormal. I also cook from scratch and my girlfriend's children now don't like the pre-prepared stuff they were eating four years ago. It's cheaper and less wasteful not to shop at supermarkets if you cook in this way.
Originally posted by Tigger
I would more than welcome the return of a Butcher, etc. Sadly, many now do not have the time, knowledge or inclination to cook fresh food. If they are going to the Supermarket then they just get evrything. Even a nutritionalist asked me if I check salt content etc on the labels, when asked 'what labels' her response was - oh, you actually cook it for real. I felt quite abnormal (more so than usual) actually having the cheek to prefer to use real meat and then make soups and stock from it. It's a sign of the times.
Reply ID 46014
With respect to the greengrocers that used to be in Railway Street, even though I was a customer for years they still used to try and pull stunts like slipping a squashy tomato into the bag they would serve up. At least in the supermarkets you can select your own fruit or veg.
Reply ID 46016
quote:You've obviously never been invited to one of MY dinner parties! Seriously tho', tesco's wine selection has really gone downhill over the past few years, Waitrose wines are very good - which they should be if they employ a Master of Wine, no idea about M&S' booze. I do know that Oddbins have really knowledgable staff with a great selection for all pockets so I'd rather go somewhere where you can get advice on what's best to go with wet fish and artichokes...
Originally posted by shunt
Few party invites include the words "Bring wet fish and an artichoke".
Reply ID 46019
I attended a champagne tasting at Oddbins only last night. Though I came away still preferring the same two champagnes that I have always liked, I now know why they taste as they do and the combination of ingredients which would allow me to select from other brands. You just don't get that type of information from a supermarket.
Reply ID 46020
quote:The service in Oddbins is exceptional. There will always be a place in the market for retailers who offer additional value.
Originally posted by shunt
I attended a champagne tasting at Oddbins only last night. Though I came away still preferring the same two champagnes that I have always liked, I now know why they taste as they do and the combination of ingredients which would allow me to select from other brands. You just don't get that type of information from a supermarket.
Reply ID 46021
quote:Ah, that's why you were standing outside Oddbins last night around 10:15!
Originally posted by shunt
I attended a champagne tasting at Oddbins only last night. Though I came away still preferring the same two champagnes that I have always liked, I now know why they taste as they do and the combination of ingredients which would allow me to select from other brands. You just don't get that type of information from a supermarket.
Reply ID 46026
quote:Only just standing. I don't spit and with 11 champagnes to taste was approaching a pleasantly mellow state.
Originally posted by Stevequote:Ah, that's why you were standing outside Oddbins last night around 10:15!
Originally posted by shunt
I attended a champagne tasting at Oddbins only last night. Though I came away still preferring the same two champagnes that I have always liked, I now know why they taste as they do and the combination of ingredients which would allow me to select from other brands. You just don't get that type of information from a supermarket.
Reply ID 46042
quote:That's explain why they were pouring about six bottles down the drain at lunchtime today...
Originally posted by shuntquote:Only just standing. I don't spit and with 11 champagnes to taste was approaching a pleasantly mellow state.
Originally posted by Stevequote:Ah, that's why you were standing outside Oddbins last night around 10:15!
Originally posted by shunt
I attended a champagne tasting at Oddbins only last night. Though I came away still preferring the same two champagnes that I have always liked, I now know why they taste as they do and the combination of ingredients which would allow me to select from other brands. You just don't get that type of information from a supermarket.
Reply ID 46047
Oddbins definiely. Even when I have very broadly described what I want as a pressie for someone. Always got something the receipient enjoyed within my given price range.
Reply ID 46051
quote:i think that tescos wine selection in hertford has come on leaps and bounds in the last few months. They havw had the "fine wines" thing going for a while, and now they are stocking more unusaul stuff. I dont think odbins selection is great, especially spain is poor.
Originally posted by Mr Pquote:You've obviously never been invited to one of MY dinner parties! Seriously tho', tesco's wine selection has really gone downhill over the past few years, Waitrose wines are very good - which they should be if they employ a Master of Wine, no idea about M&S' booze. I do know that Oddbins have really knowledgable staff with a great selection for all pockets so I'd rather go somewhere where you can get advice on what's best to go with wet fish and artichokes...
Originally posted by shunt
Few party invites include the words "Bring wet fish and an artichoke".
Reply ID 46053
quote:That's fine as long as you know what it's going to taste like in advance. From the 11 champagnes which I tasted, I liked 2, was indifferent to 6, strongly disliked 3. In Tesco I'd have had to guess which was which.
Originally posted by justinquote:i think that tescos wine selection in hertford has come on leaps and bounds in the last few months. They havw had the "fine wines" thing going for a while, and now they are stocking more unusaul stuff. I dont think odbins selection is great, especially spain is poor.
Originally posted by Mr Pquote:You've obviously never been invited to one of MY dinner parties! Seriously tho', tesco's wine selection has really gone downhill over the past few years, Waitrose wines are very good - which they should be if they employ a Master of Wine, no idea about M&S' booze. I do know that Oddbins have really knowledgable staff with a great selection for all pockets so I'd rather go somewhere where you can get advice on what's best to go with wet fish and artichokes...
Originally posted by shunt
Few party invites include the words "Bring wet fish and an artichoke".
Reply ID 46055
quote:And how is that the much smaller town of Buntingford, despite having 2 supermarkets plus a weekly market (which I think has a butchers stall but I may be wrong)can happily support 2 independent butchers shops and has done so for many years?
Originally posted by Steve
Despite the fact that we have three supermarkets, all selling alcohol, we still have three off-licences that seems to be able to make a living in the town. How come we can't support a single fishmonger, butcher or greengrocer?
Reply ID 46058
Oddbins are excellent, best in hertford. want to try something different chat to the guys in there and they know a thing or two about the wines. in my mind its better to know either nothing about wines or everything about wines, than know a little (which seems like a lot of people).I know what i like but always willing to try something new. Justin if their selection on spain is poor tell them, they will take note and either let you know why or get some in especially for you.
Reply ID 46062
quote:
Originally posted by justinquote:i think that tescos wine selection in hertford has come on leaps and bounds in the last few months. They havw had the "fine wines" thing going for a while, and now they are stocking more unusaul stuff. I dont think odbins selection is great, especially spain is poor.
Originally posted by Mr Pquote:You've obviously never been invited to one of MY dinner parties! Seriously tho', tesco's wine selection has really gone downhill over the past few years, Waitrose wines are very good - which they should be if they employ a Master of Wine, no idea about M&S' booze. I do know that Oddbins have really knowledgable staff with a great selection for all pockets so I'd rather go somewhere where you can get advice on what's best to go with wet fish and artichokes...
Originally posted by shunt
Few party invites include the words "Bring wet fish and an artichoke".
Reply ID 46063
quote:I have to agree with Justin regarding Tesco's wine selection. Their selection of French Red Wine in particular has really almost disappeared. I went in yesterday and they didn't even have any Cotes du Rhone Villages. Used to be much better
Originally posted by justinquote:i think that tescos wine selection in hertford has come on leaps and bounds in the last few months. They havw had the "fine wines" thing going for a while, and now they are stocking more unusaul stuff. I dont think odbins selection is great, especially spain is poor.
Originally posted by Mr Pquote:You've obviously never been invited to one of MY dinner parties! Seriously tho', tesco's wine selection has really gone downhill over the past few years, Waitrose wines are very good - which they should be if they employ a Master of Wine, no idea about M&S' booze. I do know that Oddbins have really knowledgable staff with a great selection for all pockets so I'd rather go somewhere where you can get advice on what's best to go with wet fish and artichokes...
Originally posted by shunt
Few party invites include the words "Bring wet fish and an artichoke".
Reply ID 46072
Do people still drink French red wine? I find it too tannic or acidic compared to many New World reds, or even Spanish Riochas.
Reply ID 46073
Hungarian wine used to be commonplace, but just try getting it now!
Reply ID 46074
quote:Try Budapest.
Originally posted by Steve
Hungarian wine used to be commonplace, but just try getting it now!
Reply ID 46077
quote:You're very funny
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Try Budapest.
Originally posted by Steve
Hungarian wine used to be commonplace, but just try getting it now!
Reply ID 46092
quote:Well... as it just so happens.....
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Try Budapest.
Originally posted by Steve
Hungarian wine used to be commonplace, but just try getting it now!
Reply ID 46093
quote:Thanks. All those years wearing oversized shoes, a plastic flower that squirts water and driving a car with doors that fall off have not gone to waste.
Originally posted by Stevequote:You're very funny
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Try Budapest.
Originally posted by Steve
Hungarian wine used to be commonplace, but just try getting it now!
Reply ID 46097
quote:I found plenty of Hungarian wine when I was in Budapest in September. I also saw the vineyards of Northern Hungary whilst driving to Debrecen. However, it is increasingly hard to find their wines in the UK.
Originally posted by Capitalist pigletquote:Well... as it just so happens.....
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Try Budapest.
Originally posted by Steve
Hungarian wine used to be commonplace, but just try getting it now!
Reply ID 46100
quote:j they do some great wine
Originally posted by Stevequote:I found plenty of Hungarian wine when I was in Budapest in September. I also saw the vineyards of Northern Hungary whilst driving to Debrecen. However, it is increasingly hard to find their wines in the UK.
Originally posted by Capitalist pigletquote:Well... as it just so happens.....
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Try Budapest.
Originally posted by Steve
Hungarian wine used to be commonplace, but just try getting it now!