A Small Challenge.....

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

Well-Known Forumite
Hi!

Ive noticed recently in 'Stafford Chat' that most threads have been centered around the shops leaving and struggling in our high street.

I live and love Stafford and hate to see my town decline.

So I challenge you!

To make one change.

If maybe you buy a carrot from the local green grocer,

If you buy a sausage from the local butcher,

If you buy nail varnish from the market,

If you can buy a pint of beer from your local pub,

If you buy a sandwich from a local cafe,

And maybe it will make a little difference??

I cant say I'm an angel, in recent years I have used the internet for my shopping and used supermarkets for my food but if maybe just a few of us make a small change, even just a one off purchase we can support our local shops?

So here's your challenge, make one change, one purchase and let me know how you get on....

That Crazy Stafford Rat Lady xxx
 
Bob

Bob

Well-Known Forumite
I have been spending today, I needed trainers for the gym, so I went to brantano, where I can park easily and wheel a pushchair round. I also went to mothercare, next and new look. I wanted some kitchen scales so off I popped to Argos, then into b&q for some wallpaper samples. Final items needed were birthday cards, shampoo and a loaf of bread, so I went to Tesco.

I could have done most of this in town admittedly, the co- op or the electrical place opposite the coach and horses would have sold me the scales for twice the price of Argos, monsoon would have sold m baby vests for 3 times the price of mothercare, and clintons wold have ripped me off for birthday cards. Don't even get me started on the curtain and wallpaper shop on mill street, I went in for a quote for a super king duvet cover and matching curtains and I thought she was joking when the price I was given left very little change from £1000.

I understand what you're saying and it's a nice idea but not really practical, physically or economically. I am not a shopper for pleasure, I hate it no matter what I am shopping for so my main issue is convenience followed by price, town is not convenient or value for money.


The pub thing I can do! And I can hear a Swan Sunday breakfast calling out to me.
 
wmrcomputers

wmrcomputers

Stafford PC & laptop repair specialist
Wow - what a lovely plea that is C-R-L!

I can see Bob's point though, that unfortunately in the current economic climate we have to shop in a way that is financially more affordable, and the internet has undoubtedly destroyed town centres in general. I seriously expect that by 2020 town centres will barely exist. There will be more eating establishments I'd have thought, and besides supermarkets I don't think much more will survive! There's only one thing I expect to see more of in every town, and that's City Link vans!!

I've been very closely considering opening a computer shop this year, but would have to charge £30 per repair to help cover my overheads compared to my £20 drop & collect fee now. Realistically there are plenty of other guys (you can find them online) who do what I do now charging £20 - so alot of my customers would become their customers and it would possibly finish me off. For that reason I'm reasonably sure that my shop would fail and never get off the ground.

It's a crying shame it really is, but it's the way of the future thanks to technology and despite your genuinely lovely plea and don't think we can do begger all bout it lass ;)
 
Alan B'Stard

Alan B'Stard

Well-Known Forumite
wmrcomputers said:
I've been very closely considering opening a computer shop this year, but would have to charge £30 per repair to help cover my overheads compared to my £20 drop & collect fee now. Realistically there are plenty of other guys (you can find them online) who do what I do now charging £20 - so alot of my customers would become their customers and it would possibly finish me off. For that reason I'm reasonably sure that my shop would fail and never get off the ground.
Click to expand...

I've always thought you have undersold your skills and I'm sure you could make a go of a shop @ £30 per hour, because of the solid reputation you have built.
 
Jade-clothing

Jade-clothing

Well-Known Forumite
I totally agree CRL and I'm doing my bit!
I get all my meat, veg and cheese from the market - and what wmr says about people shopping in a way that is financially more affordable in the current economic climate isn't necessarily true. I agree the internet has had an affect on town centres but supermarkets are also to blame - people these days just don't have the time to shop around and it's more convenient to buy everything in one place. However - I save around £20 a week buying these products from the market and on top of that the products are far superior - the meat is fresh and tastes of meat. Buy a steak from one of the butchers in the market and you will see what I mean, it's restaurant quality, not the tasteless crap you get in the supermarkets. The fruit and veg is fresh and looks nicer too, the supermarket rubbish is almost off even when you buy it.
I buy most of my clothes from Roma opposite Halfords - anyone who ever shopped at Jade Clothing will know how passionate I am about buying second hand and whatever I need for the house I also source secondhand if possible - too much waste in the world and people throwing away perfectly usable items, really annoys me as do people who look down their noses at second hand. Anyone who knows me will know I always take special care with how I look and my clothes have cost a fraction of a price of what you pay in the shops or even online but are always top brands.
So I'm totally with you CRL - we should start a campaign :)
 
grumpystaffordguy

grumpystaffordguy

Well-Known Forumite
I prefer the meat from the market than the supermarket. Certainly over TESCO and ASDA anyway. The sausages we had at Christmas were fantastic. No fat came out when you cooked them and they tasted delicious. We also had the really thick bacon which most of the family preferred. Depends if its for a sandwich or not as they are almost steaks!

As I said on another post here the other day I use my local handyman shop on first avenue rather than Homebase or B&Q. The prices are similar overall, but as you can buy the quantity you require rather than pre packed like in the big stores there are savings to be made. Also they can cut wood to size and offer really good advice.
 
United57

United57

Well-Known Forumite
I believe the meat is not only better from the market but cheaper than the supermarkets. Kevin in the corner certainly knows where his meat comes from. He also ages it appropriately. Yes the bacon is excellent. You cannot beat John's chicken. Also the fruit veg is cheaper. There is the cooked meat counter and they sell extra large eggs. Then don't forget the pork pies !
 
Dabbler

Dabbler

Well-Known Forumite
Brilliant, it would be great if everyone did this. We do try to shop locally in Stafford where we can, it isn't always possible, but mostly it is. There are initiatives in Stone and Eccleshall called Totally Locally, which encourage people to spend £5 with independent and local retailers. In Eccleshall I think that the figures suggest that if everyone who shopped there spent £5 evry week with local and independent retailers rather than supermarkets and national chains,it would put £2.9m into the local economy. That money is then more likely to be spent locally too, so everyone benefits from a more vibrant town.

Would be great if that happened in Stafford, who knows, it may then encourage more people to open independent shops..
 
tek-monkey

tek-monkey

wanna see my snake?
United57 said:
I believe the meat is not only better from the market but cheaper than the supermarkets. Kevin in the corner certainly knows where his meat comes from. He also ages it appropriately. Yes the bacon is excellent. You cannot beat John's chicken. Also the fruit veg is cheaper. There is the cooked meat counter and they sell extra large eggs. Then don't forget the pork pies !
Click to expand...
Is John the guy on the wall nearest Wilkinson? Visit him at least twice a week.
 
That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

That-Crazy-Rat-Lady

Well-Known Forumite
Thanks for the support guys!
Bob, of course I'm not suggesting we all radically change our lives and put ourselves out of pocket!
And your already supporting our town buy drinking beer locally woo :)!

Just that maybe we change one thing, or try something new it could make a real difference!

For example I live about 60 seconds away from a local butcher and greengrocer - have I ever been in?

I'm ashamed to say I haven't!

So I've challenged myself to go in, have a look around (and I bet I find a bargain!)

So let us know you find!
 
ATJ

ATJ

Well-Known Forumite
I'd love to use Stafford Market to buy cheeses, meat and veg. Unfortunately, when I want to go shopping it's always closed or the stalls are closing down for the day at lunch time. The desire to spend locally is there, and the knowledge that their produce is better is there, but the shops need to change their behaviour as well as asking me to change mine.

On the plus side, I regularly patronise local town centre bars, and the butchers behind the Prince of Wales is open late regularly so I can and do visit occasionally.
 
staffordjas

staffordjas

Well-Known Forumite
We often walk a couple of miles to buy our free range eggs from a farm where we can see the chickens actually running around the field.
We've bought local honey as well in the past and actually been shown the bee hives and how they get it off etc.

Just bought a joint of meat , butchers homemade sausage rolls and pasties from our local butchers. Ok, the joint is more expensive than the supermarkets,but it doesn't shrink as much and always seems much tastier.

I buy some fresh fish from the van that comes outside Wildwood each thursday.Seems expensive compared to the bags of frozen fish in supermarkets but again it doesn't shrink when cooked as it's not mostly water! The bloke also very kindly gets the bones out for me.

Hubby has been known to pop into Slaters Brewery during his lunchtime walks and buy a few bottles off them .

I always buy my plants from Brocton Nursery and Garden Centre . They advise me which are best for my requirements , help to carry to the car and best of all they have various animals which you can wander around to look at as well. Added bonus-they let me leave the car safe in their car park while I then have a walk over the chase.

I always use local tradesmen (Rikky.......... not heard back off you yet about servicing our fire ;) )
 
ChrisLewis

ChrisLewis

Well-Known Forumite
Dabbler said:
Brilliant, it would be great if everyone did this. We do try to shop locally in Stafford where we can, it isn't always possible, but mostly it is. There are initiatives in Stone and Eccleshall called Totally Locally, which encourage people to spend £5 with independent and local retailers. In Eccleshall I think that the figures suggest that if everyone who shopped there spent £5 evry week with local and independent retailers rather than supermarkets and national chains,it would put £2.9m into the local economy. That money is then more likely to be spent locally too, so everyone benefits from a more vibrant town.

Would be great if that happened in Stafford, who knows, it may then encourage more people to open independent shops..
Click to expand...
Totally Local is a great idea, Stafford Town Centre Partnership now has 120 members so we could quickly launch such a scheme - watch this space.

If your not aware of the TCP have a look at the following link:-
http://www.stafford-towncentre.co.uk/index.htm?id=index
Chris Lewis
Chair Stafford Town Centre partnership
 
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