Residents' Association Forum

In case anyone is interested, the new shop opening in the old bakery has submitted an application for the supply of alcohol (presumably as an off-licence) 07:00 hrs – 00:00 hrs Mon – Sat; 07:00 hrs – 22:30 hrs Sun.

Hours seem a bit late night to me for mid-week, but that may be normal for this type of shop.

Residents who live closer may have a view.

I'm a bit undecided on this place, I dont see how they can't impact other shops to the detriment of the high st, particularly Paulls, a bit of competition isnt always a bad thing but people with such vast purchasing power can always undercut the small guy price wise.

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I have to confess I find the Summer Road convinience store invaluable thanks to its late opening hours (it shuts at 10pm)- both to grab the odd late night bottle of wine/beer or (more recently!) items such as cotton wool/nappies/cat food etc. 

I never would have thought living close to a corner shop would be a criteria on where I choose to live but I know I would now struggle if I lived somewhere really remote where one has to plan a bit better!!! 

For residents living right next to it - there is a slight con as in people do shop there late. 

Walk in shoppers are probably a non issue but some do drive to it (not sure from where! I hope not from too close) and there is some noise as a result but I think its pretty minimal and no worse than people leaving their homes,etc?

So I can see how this may be a slight hassle to local residents but I would guess for most the pro's may outweigh the cons.

As to the competition issues for the other shops - I am not sure where I stand on that.

Hmnnn.  In general, I have often argued that one reason for the hard times for high st shops is that they are open when most people are at work (including both partners in households, these days) and closed when those people are back home and ready to shop.  Viz Juninho's comments.  So I would generally think it sensible to have a convenience store open on weekday nights.

On alcohol sales: the offie, when Threshers, was open until 11 pm IIRC and it would seem unreasonable to quibble about the new shop selling alcohol to that hour (I just hope it is better quality wines than Mehra's - I've spoken to them about that, they really should get a better idea of the market in TD).  So the question there is: is it unreasonable to extend alcohol - or indeed any - sales to midnight?  It is to be expected that alcohol sales from the premises will attract hoodlums, just as the off-licence used to do.

On the issue of competition, like Craig I am in two minds but:
- I am glad that 31 High St will stay a real shop selling real stuff that brings shoppers to the High St
- Paulls provides good products and value, the shop has a positive history, Jason and Katie have very quickly become part of the village, we need to keep it thriving,  and I'm sure most villagers, like me, will stay loyal to them for fruit and veg during working hours.  The new shop might get additional customers at night....
- I hope the new shop will find its niche with other things like chilled foods (esp. meat & meat products) and perhaps MRE, and some other stuff that complements rather than competes with Paulls and the Lime Tree.  If we all give them the same message, maybe they'll get that message.

I do agree about Mehra's - what a shame to go to all the trouble (and expense) of opening a shop  and not even research what type of goods that your  customer base would want to buy!  It is mind-boggling!!!  

I went into the Post Office store earlier to buy some standard envelopes. They didn't have any! ??? They did offer to sell me a Jiffy bag though. 

The mind boggles indeed! Nine times our of ten I leave that place regretting my commitment in trying to support my local Post Office.

Luckily the ever entrepreneurial Mrs P. on Summer Road did me proud, even selling individual envelopes.

ha thats brilliant. 

Ive had similar experience at PO.

Am I missing out on something here?
If you open a new business of course your going to either undercut or offer a more flexable arena for your customers! 
THAT'S BUISINESS.
Good on them I say.

I agree to an extent but I'd rather have Paulls there than a Lidyl !

I love Paulls too. Lidyl? But one grocer does not make a village buzz. Or either make a village.

I would love Thames Ditton village to become a destination of choice for good quality food and products. One only has to look at other small shopping destinations such as Highbury or Hampstead village. Both have quality small scale retail spaces that cater for local residents and also further afield destination shoppers. 
I like many other people from all over London & afar purchase our Christmas bird from GODFREY'S of Highbury corner. 
How proud would we be if we could say the same.

totally agree with all you've said

Does any know when it will be open?

GODFREY"S of Highbury corner??? As in NORTH London???? How hypocritical?!

There is an excellent quality small scale local butchers called P J Dale's on Bridge Road (within walking distance). Bentley's is also very good on Walton Road as is Robson's in Hampton Hill. 

Perhaps you should practice what you preach and shop local. If you are going to shop north of the river, at least do it in a KT postcode - not bloody Islington!!

Agree Ratty, PJ Dale's do amongst other things, brilliant marinated lamb shoulders/legs etc, use them all the time. 

Ratty
"how aggressive" Actually I feel you may have misread my comment. As I said "I would love Thames Ditton village to become a destination of choice for good quality food and products. One only has to look at other small shopping destinations such as Highbury or Hampstead village. Both have quality small scale retail spaces that cater for local residents and also further afield destination shoppers. 
I like many other people from all over London & afar purchase our Christmas bird from GODFREY'S of Highbury corner. 
How proud would we be if we could say the same"

I have both visited and tasted the wares of P J Dale's on Bridge Road and in my opinion they are over rated over priced and the sausages for example are very bland. Of course taste is subjective but I can assure you connoisseurship is not. I suggest you first begin to train your palette to the finer things in life then you may be able to make the correct conclusions.

Perhaps you may have found the time to query the full context of my reasons to shop at Godfreys. I work in North London, I commute before the said butchers open, I return home after they have closed. Good GOD how provincial are you?

Ps I do not have a partner to shop on my behalf.

Thank you craigmax as after I posted my original thread you were quoted as saying totally "agree with all you've said" 

I didnt read it as aggressive, more indignant.

Yep, I do agree that I'd love TD to be a destination for people looking for quality produce. I'd always rather that be ought locally.

Happy new year all! Xx

Fair point. :)
Happy new year to all

I must say that over the past couple of months, Mehra's has improved range and quality, and alongside the plonk they have some reasonable wines (though still what I would describe as emergency wines! - They can't compete with nearby Majestic and Waitrose, plus the good wine boutique in Bridge Road Molesey, for quality wines of good value)

Mehra's shelves are well-kept and now quite well stocked with general grocery items and, especially with the Sunday opening, we find we are choosing to do some grocery shopping there.  But I don't get the impression they have enough customers to be viable.  The shop played its part in the Christmas High St Fair.  What can villagers do to help them out?  What do you suggest they stock/do?

Meanwhile the Post Office store, while a bit more cheerful than it was, continues to look grubbier and grubbier.  I worry a lot about the future of the Post Office - it would be a crippling blow to the High St to lose it.

On meat, there is the excellent Stevens at Hinchley Wood.  Yet again I got a superb, flavoursome large sirloin of beef to roast at Christmas.  They will deliver locally and for some time I have been wondering how to induce them to set up even a part-time presence in TD.

Incidentally, hearsay has it that Simply Fresh got their licence, but only up until 9pm.  I don't yet have official confirmation of that - is it on EBC's website? (No time to look)

Where would one find this information. I have just tried to find it but no luck. A link would be helpful Amin. Many Thanks

I couldn't find it either, so I've just phoned EBC to learn the details from the licensing dept.  They were helpful as always.

The info is:
The licence applied for was to 12pm (midnight) and has been granted until 11pm.  It did not go to Committee as the council officer, who granted the licence, judged that among objections there were none of material substance under the licensing laws.  Arguments of competition were ruled out and other arguments were deemed to be speculative.  The applicants included CCTV in their application and, the police having been consulted, this will be a condition of the licence.

Informally, although the licence as granted is to 11pm, the applicants apparently indicated that they intended to be open until 9pm in the first instance (I suspect that accounts for the hearsay version on the High St this week).

Here you go. 

http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/documents/detail.htm?pk_document=5257

When is this shop opening?

I am looking forward to the fresh food, it would be good if they can offer bread, chesse and meats? If they wish to go down the organic or healthy eating route then I will be going.

Bluesky - i'm also looking forward to the new shop - more choice and variety...but you do know that you can buy all the things you listed - and at exceptioal quality already at the retailers we have in the Hight Street right?? ;-) ???