The Large One
Who's Next?
If you're reading this, you're reading a rant on one of my pet subjects. Following on from the David Rose thread, BoF asked what can we do about the onset of the chains and big boys?
I have always felt that if I support my team because of a sense of local pride (as opposed to them not necessarily because being any good), then I can do the same for local businesses; David Rose and Swift Sports being such examples.
This is something generally aimed at town and city dwellers. I live near Fiveways where I shop as much as I can at the local shops employing (usually) knowledgeable people about the wares they are selling. The products are often local sourced, or even made on premises.
For instance, there is an excellent butcher, baker (Ravens - forget Forfars) and greengrocer within 100 yards of Fiveways - all of whom sell fine quality products. I don't need to get in the car and hoy my sorry arse to Sainsbury or Asda, all that I need is on my doorstep. The only thing missing is a fishmonger, get one in there now, and I'm sorted.
It is well documented that supermarkets drive often unfair nasty bargains with farmers in order to buy their products, sometimes leading to intensive farming which has a hazardous effect on the local environment. With your local butcher or greengrocer, the price you pay is more often reflected in a fairer deal for the growers. Not always, but sometimes.
You may feel you are paying more for the products bought locally, but you can generally ensure that the products are of high quality, fresh and, as often as not can be made to order. Those bagged salads in the supermarkets? They are washed with a stronger concentration of chemicals than you would find in a swimming pool, eliminating 75% of the vitamins and goodness in the leaves. Want a cake made to order? Can your supermarket do that for you? Want a goose in the middle of summer? Maybe a recipe for asparagus - Sainsbury charge you extra for a cookbook for that sort of information. And on and on.
I am not advocating boycotting the supermarkets - I go there myself occasionally - but I would say give some consideration to your local business. It's better for the environment (fewer car journeys), often better quality, good for variety of diet, and much better for the local economy.
Support your local business. Go to the local shop.
RANT OVER.
I have always felt that if I support my team because of a sense of local pride (as opposed to them not necessarily because being any good), then I can do the same for local businesses; David Rose and Swift Sports being such examples.
This is something generally aimed at town and city dwellers. I live near Fiveways where I shop as much as I can at the local shops employing (usually) knowledgeable people about the wares they are selling. The products are often local sourced, or even made on premises.
For instance, there is an excellent butcher, baker (Ravens - forget Forfars) and greengrocer within 100 yards of Fiveways - all of whom sell fine quality products. I don't need to get in the car and hoy my sorry arse to Sainsbury or Asda, all that I need is on my doorstep. The only thing missing is a fishmonger, get one in there now, and I'm sorted.
It is well documented that supermarkets drive often unfair nasty bargains with farmers in order to buy their products, sometimes leading to intensive farming which has a hazardous effect on the local environment. With your local butcher or greengrocer, the price you pay is more often reflected in a fairer deal for the growers. Not always, but sometimes.
You may feel you are paying more for the products bought locally, but you can generally ensure that the products are of high quality, fresh and, as often as not can be made to order. Those bagged salads in the supermarkets? They are washed with a stronger concentration of chemicals than you would find in a swimming pool, eliminating 75% of the vitamins and goodness in the leaves. Want a cake made to order? Can your supermarket do that for you? Want a goose in the middle of summer? Maybe a recipe for asparagus - Sainsbury charge you extra for a cookbook for that sort of information. And on and on.
I am not advocating boycotting the supermarkets - I go there myself occasionally - but I would say give some consideration to your local business. It's better for the environment (fewer car journeys), often better quality, good for variety of diet, and much better for the local economy.
Support your local business. Go to the local shop.
RANT OVER.
