In this day of superstores, rushed and faceless online shopping, it is easy to forget what Christmas is all about. Some of our Wedgers have been re-inspired and injected with that Christmas spirit, and all they did was take a five minute walk to their local high street. Here are two stories to hopefully inspire you to shop locally this Christmas:
Camden is bustling this time of year and one of our Wedgers was struggling in a large organic wholesaler, with last-minute food purchases on her list. Cranberry sauce: an essential item which is inevitably sold out during the festive season. She shouldered her way through the hungry crowd and found an employee hurriedly restocking the diminishing pile of home-made mince pies. Querying him about the absence of cranberry sauce and also the alternative red currant jelly, she finished her shopping and queued to pay, without either. In the line she suddenly turned to a heavy tap on her shoulder. The employee, large grin on his face dropped a large jar of fresh cranberry sauce into her basket. He had found a stray bottle in his storeroom and had been looking for the lucky Wedger for fifteen minutes! It is tiny acts like this which make not only our shopping experiences special, but they also lift our spirits- especially Christmas spirits.
Another one of our busy little last-minute Christmas Wedgers was trying to buy a Christmas stocking for a party the next day. This, surely, was an item which is never out of stock she thought. Along her local Barnes High Street she searched hurriedly for a stocking, having bought everything to stuff it with previously. She came across a beautiful stocking hanging in the window of an independent gift store crammed with trinkets and delicate presents. Inside, she searched the shelves for this festive miracle but she could not find the stocking anywhere. The shopkeeper, with a warm smile that nearly swallowed her entire face explained that she bought if from another shop and it was only a display. But it did not end here; the shopkeeper took the stocking down from her festive display and sold it to the ecstatic Wedger.
This is what Christmas is all about; going out of your way just that little bit for somebody else. And your local high street is the perfect place to inspire Christmas spirit. Merry Christmas!
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Wednesday 23 December 2009
Wednesday 16 December 2009
This Wouldn't Happen at Westfield
Walking home past the swans bobbing on the Thames, laden with Christmas gifts, decorations, wrapping paper and mince pies I reminisced; that was Christmas shopping bliss. You must be thinking I am crazy, no? I had just spent three hours Christmas shopping at my local Barnes High Street and I had returned smiling.
Like everybody else in London, I left my Christmas shopping to the last minute; and my family Christmas lunch was tomorrow because we were going away next weekend. I prepared myself for a bustling high street- a rugby scrum of desperate, clawing and snatching people hungry for the perfect, last-minute gift. I imagined a traffic jam from a pile up of banged-up buggies, a twisted mess of plastic shopping bags and screaming children. I wouldn’t even dare take the car out today, not after last month’s traumatic ordeal in the Westfield car park.
As I got closer to the high street I could still hear the liquid dance of the Thames... where was the foreboding hum of busy shoppers?
The small independent gift shop I had in mind for teachers’ gifts for my son’s school had two tiny aisles and little jangly breakables hanging precariously from random shelves. I love these tiny shops but I wondered how much of a battering it would have received this Christmas.
To my surprise, there were no buggies in this store, only a handful of quiet customers and soft Christmas music. I breathed a sigh of relief and stepped into the cosy little gift store. I was surrounded by unique gifts and funky little knick-knacks. That is what I love about the local high street; eccentric, individual retailers where every gift is unique. I remember being at a function last week and seeing three women wearing the same gold leaf chain. I didn’t want the mass-produced product. Trusting in my local high street, I can be confident in knowing that my Christmas will be cracking with quirky presents.
I spent three magical Christmas hours shopping along Barnes High Street. I was greeted with smiles, mulled wine and local Christmas cheer. I walked to my own beat, not offensive, booming music. This is what Christmas is all about: coming together, family, friends and community. There were no queues and blind customer ‘service’; I felt like I was a part of a festive fellowship of people enjoying the local shopping experience at this special time of year.
So I urge you, take a walk down your local high street this Christmas- you will be surprised what you find, and will probably discover a little independent shop you never knew existed. For a calmer Christmas shopping experience- stay local.
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Like everybody else in London, I left my Christmas shopping to the last minute; and my family Christmas lunch was tomorrow because we were going away next weekend. I prepared myself for a bustling high street- a rugby scrum of desperate, clawing and snatching people hungry for the perfect, last-minute gift. I imagined a traffic jam from a pile up of banged-up buggies, a twisted mess of plastic shopping bags and screaming children. I wouldn’t even dare take the car out today, not after last month’s traumatic ordeal in the Westfield car park.
As I got closer to the high street I could still hear the liquid dance of the Thames... where was the foreboding hum of busy shoppers?
The small independent gift shop I had in mind for teachers’ gifts for my son’s school had two tiny aisles and little jangly breakables hanging precariously from random shelves. I love these tiny shops but I wondered how much of a battering it would have received this Christmas.
To my surprise, there were no buggies in this store, only a handful of quiet customers and soft Christmas music. I breathed a sigh of relief and stepped into the cosy little gift store. I was surrounded by unique gifts and funky little knick-knacks. That is what I love about the local high street; eccentric, individual retailers where every gift is unique. I remember being at a function last week and seeing three women wearing the same gold leaf chain. I didn’t want the mass-produced product. Trusting in my local high street, I can be confident in knowing that my Christmas will be cracking with quirky presents.
I spent three magical Christmas hours shopping along Barnes High Street. I was greeted with smiles, mulled wine and local Christmas cheer. I walked to my own beat, not offensive, booming music. This is what Christmas is all about: coming together, family, friends and community. There were no queues and blind customer ‘service’; I felt like I was a part of a festive fellowship of people enjoying the local shopping experience at this special time of year.
So I urge you, take a walk down your local high street this Christmas- you will be surprised what you find, and will probably discover a little independent shop you never knew existed. For a calmer Christmas shopping experience- stay local.
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Monday 7 December 2009
Councils Crying out 'Community'
Community action is becoming a positive, immoveable force. Wedge has discovered some exciting initiatives springing up in local communities. Local residents no longer need to stand idly by whilst their high streets are overrun by corporate chains because they have the Sustainable Communities Act (2007) to draw upon. The Act is the first step towards building a bottom up democracy where local people can influence what happens in their own communities – providing, of course, that local authorities sign up to using the Act.
This Act means that councils will have more say in local decision-making. For example, once they have signed up to the Act they could appeal and decline the take-over of a chain supermarket in their local high street.
The original movers of the Act in Parliament and the campaigners believe that more strength has to be put into it to make sure that it is working to its fullest potential. The latest campaign by Local Works, a coalition group campaigning to promote the use of the Sustainable Communities Act, concerns the requirement in the Act of the publication of local spending reports since the public has a right to know how money is being spent locally. So Alistair Burt MP is on the case.
Alistair Burt’s office has decided to adopt the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill as his Private Members Bill. He was drawn at number seven in last week’s Private Members’ Ballot, so he can introduce a Bill of his choice into Parliament with the idea of it being made law by the election. Wedge is very excited about the increasing advocacy for local communities.
To be a part of this exciting movement please come along to the free, public event, Parliamentary Reception hosted by NCVO: A New Form of Government: The Sustainable Communities Act. With free beer: kindly donated through SIBA - the Society of Independent Brewers. 6pm to 8pm, Tuesday 8th December 2009 at The Jubilee Room, Houses of Parliament (via St Stephen’s entrance on Parliament Square), London SW1A 0AA - nearest tube: Westminster.
There is another giant community-binding initiative growing as we speak. The Support Our Small Shops campaign (SOSS) is doing something amazing for the diminishing neighbourhood high streets in the London Borough of Richmond. SOSS is passionate about keeping local, independent high streets alive, by campaigning to change people’s shopping habits so they regularly use local shops.
These are our pubs, our grocers, our post offices; the little shops that keep the community blood pumping. The New Economics Foundation reports that 2,000 smaller independent shops per annum are closing. So SOSS is being pro-active, by using shop skeletons as pop-up shops for local artists to bring back some flavour and colour to the community. This will create vibrant spaces for artists to display their work and show how a derelict shop can be turned into a great retail space.
Not only are they breathing some life back into the community, but the campaign is also pushing for local schemes such as free 30 minute parking around local shopping areas, and to reintroduce the Civic Pride Fund to maintain attractive and vibrant high streets. SOSS is also petitioning to rid the borough of plastic shopping bags. Wedge applauds these schemes taking practical action and breathing life back into our independent, local high streets.
Voice your community spirit and take action now! For more information and to get involved, take a look at these websites:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39615&SESSION=903
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39680&SESSION=903
http://www.localworks.org/
http://www.supportoursmallshops.com/default.asp?contentID=1
Written by Lauren Ottaway
This Act means that councils will have more say in local decision-making. For example, once they have signed up to the Act they could appeal and decline the take-over of a chain supermarket in their local high street.
The original movers of the Act in Parliament and the campaigners believe that more strength has to be put into it to make sure that it is working to its fullest potential. The latest campaign by Local Works, a coalition group campaigning to promote the use of the Sustainable Communities Act, concerns the requirement in the Act of the publication of local spending reports since the public has a right to know how money is being spent locally. So Alistair Burt MP is on the case.
Alistair Burt’s office has decided to adopt the Sustainable Communities Act Amendment Bill as his Private Members Bill. He was drawn at number seven in last week’s Private Members’ Ballot, so he can introduce a Bill of his choice into Parliament with the idea of it being made law by the election. Wedge is very excited about the increasing advocacy for local communities.
To be a part of this exciting movement please come along to the free, public event, Parliamentary Reception hosted by NCVO: A New Form of Government: The Sustainable Communities Act. With free beer: kindly donated through SIBA - the Society of Independent Brewers. 6pm to 8pm, Tuesday 8th December 2009 at The Jubilee Room, Houses of Parliament (via St Stephen’s entrance on Parliament Square), London SW1A 0AA - nearest tube: Westminster.
There is another giant community-binding initiative growing as we speak. The Support Our Small Shops campaign (SOSS) is doing something amazing for the diminishing neighbourhood high streets in the London Borough of Richmond. SOSS is passionate about keeping local, independent high streets alive, by campaigning to change people’s shopping habits so they regularly use local shops.
These are our pubs, our grocers, our post offices; the little shops that keep the community blood pumping. The New Economics Foundation reports that 2,000 smaller independent shops per annum are closing. So SOSS is being pro-active, by using shop skeletons as pop-up shops for local artists to bring back some flavour and colour to the community. This will create vibrant spaces for artists to display their work and show how a derelict shop can be turned into a great retail space.
Not only are they breathing some life back into the community, but the campaign is also pushing for local schemes such as free 30 minute parking around local shopping areas, and to reintroduce the Civic Pride Fund to maintain attractive and vibrant high streets. SOSS is also petitioning to rid the borough of plastic shopping bags. Wedge applauds these schemes taking practical action and breathing life back into our independent, local high streets.
Voice your community spirit and take action now! For more information and to get involved, take a look at these websites:
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39615&SESSION=903
http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39680&SESSION=903
http://www.localworks.org/
http://www.supportoursmallshops.com/default.asp?contentID=1
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Friday 20 November 2009
Starbucks' Faux Independence
There’s a phony in amongst our local, independent shops. Sipping away the business from real independent retailers, Starbucks has gone all cosy and local on the community.
Starbucks is trying to regain its soul. With thousands of chain store closures around the globe, people were starting to think that was the end of Starbucks saturation. But no, they have come back with another tactic; faux independence.
This chain store is trying to re-link with the community by turning their franchise into a local, high-street coffee house. Starbucks are re-opening stores with a homely feel; cosy furniture, unique artwork (some have Plato quotations on the walls) and one thing that was always missing- smiles. Not to mention pretty mugs without Starbucks printed on it. In fact, there is no Starbucks branding in the entire shop, except for a small, unnoticeable foreword in the shop window: Inspired by Starbucks.
Companies like Starbucks are like cuckoos- ‘brood parasites’ laying their eggs in the nest of other species. They have taken the empty nests of closed-down local shops and laid their eggs there for the surrogate neighbourhood to keep warm and thrive. The impostor is killing off the real thing.
Starbucks are trying to manufacture the independent, local shop experience, but can this really be done? After all, they have monstrous amounts of money at their disposal and they are using £8,000 coffee machines. The links of these counterfeit shops aren’t as strong as the links between neighbourhood shops and local people. But maybe once we have all cottoned on the Starbucks’ ploy we will not be fooled so easily.
Why would Starbucks feel the need to pretend to be like its competitor? Local and independent shops are so compelling right now, but Wedgers and like-minded people have known this all along. Will people be enticed into the fake forceps of Starbucks?
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Starbucks is trying to regain its soul. With thousands of chain store closures around the globe, people were starting to think that was the end of Starbucks saturation. But no, they have come back with another tactic; faux independence.
This chain store is trying to re-link with the community by turning their franchise into a local, high-street coffee house. Starbucks are re-opening stores with a homely feel; cosy furniture, unique artwork (some have Plato quotations on the walls) and one thing that was always missing- smiles. Not to mention pretty mugs without Starbucks printed on it. In fact, there is no Starbucks branding in the entire shop, except for a small, unnoticeable foreword in the shop window: Inspired by Starbucks.
Companies like Starbucks are like cuckoos- ‘brood parasites’ laying their eggs in the nest of other species. They have taken the empty nests of closed-down local shops and laid their eggs there for the surrogate neighbourhood to keep warm and thrive. The impostor is killing off the real thing.
Starbucks are trying to manufacture the independent, local shop experience, but can this really be done? After all, they have monstrous amounts of money at their disposal and they are using £8,000 coffee machines. The links of these counterfeit shops aren’t as strong as the links between neighbourhood shops and local people. But maybe once we have all cottoned on the Starbucks’ ploy we will not be fooled so easily.
Why would Starbucks feel the need to pretend to be like its competitor? Local and independent shops are so compelling right now, but Wedgers and like-minded people have known this all along. Will people be enticed into the fake forceps of Starbucks?
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Tuesday 3 November 2009
Serves me right
A couple of burning desires took me to Westfield yesterday. I was almost lead by a kind of hypnotic, compulsion to see this temple of shopping. And the crazed desire to find a unique and funky little wedding outfit for my four year old. Along the local high street it is quite difficult to find interesting children’s clothing; especially boy’s and I didn’t want my son to look like a midget minor of the catering staff. I needed to have access to several different shops in the one shopping experience.
Immediately it was stress. My mother got stuck in a traffic jam then couldn't park. Though she did like the idea of having a green or red light above each space to show if it was vacant, just like a lavatory. I was already inside and her hysterical voice through my phone grated my nerves. Two hours, that's it! I wanted to try and enjoy this.
Once we were all out of the depths of the car park we ventured into a corner of the complex. We needed a map to find certain shops in the labyrinth of signs and sales and escalators and people. It was just all so big, busy and overwhelming. It felt like we were in a giant ant farm of retail hungry insects scurrying to their large trade coves then out again. And I was one of them. Having left this little outfit to the last minute, I too was in a frantic rush.
It was hard not to feel a little spaced out in this massive air-conditioned cube. Shops were lined up like regimented retail soldiers marching with brightly coloured uniforms and bayonets to pop music, trying to entice people into their businesses.
It was a very individual experience, not a fun family outing browsing for cute little suits. Everyone was caught up in a world of their own, driven by a need to get in, get out and get it done. People were focused, hurried and irritated with an ‘every man for themselves’ attitude. We went into some children’s clothes retailers and we could have been anywhere in London. We queued for the changing rooms like we queued to give them our money. It was just another generic homogenous experience, which wasn’t unpleasant, it just wasn’t unique.
On the way out we queued again to pay for our parking. Getting out of the car park was an even more traumatic experience; there was a traffic jam and half an hour of impatient, frustrated beeping.
Serves me right. Next time I think I will just stick to my local high street.
Written by Lauren Ottaway for Diana Bird.
Immediately it was stress. My mother got stuck in a traffic jam then couldn't park. Though she did like the idea of having a green or red light above each space to show if it was vacant, just like a lavatory. I was already inside and her hysterical voice through my phone grated my nerves. Two hours, that's it! I wanted to try and enjoy this.
Once we were all out of the depths of the car park we ventured into a corner of the complex. We needed a map to find certain shops in the labyrinth of signs and sales and escalators and people. It was just all so big, busy and overwhelming. It felt like we were in a giant ant farm of retail hungry insects scurrying to their large trade coves then out again. And I was one of them. Having left this little outfit to the last minute, I too was in a frantic rush.
It was hard not to feel a little spaced out in this massive air-conditioned cube. Shops were lined up like regimented retail soldiers marching with brightly coloured uniforms and bayonets to pop music, trying to entice people into their businesses.
It was a very individual experience, not a fun family outing browsing for cute little suits. Everyone was caught up in a world of their own, driven by a need to get in, get out and get it done. People were focused, hurried and irritated with an ‘every man for themselves’ attitude. We went into some children’s clothes retailers and we could have been anywhere in London. We queued for the changing rooms like we queued to give them our money. It was just another generic homogenous experience, which wasn’t unpleasant, it just wasn’t unique.
On the way out we queued again to pay for our parking. Getting out of the car park was an even more traumatic experience; there was a traffic jam and half an hour of impatient, frustrated beeping.
Serves me right. Next time I think I will just stick to my local high street.
Written by Lauren Ottaway for Diana Bird.
Monday 14 September 2009
It's just not healthy to be without a community
Just been listening, from the isolation of my front room, to a fascinating lecture on loneliness. American social neuroscientist, Professor John Cacioppo, has written a book on the subject. Through studying our brains, he has researched the biological effects of loneliness (perceived or real) on human beings. He found how important social connections are, and being isolated from others increases morbidity and mortality.
Charting the period between 1984 and 2004 in America, he discovered that the number of people living alone rose to 25% (from, I think, 11%) but the social networks of these people decreased by 50% in this period. The likely outcome of this will be more isolation and perhaps consequential bad health. But it’s also interesting that loneliness is an inherent trait like hunger, thirst or pain – it’s there to protect our species by promoting vigilance against social threats. Do listen to the lecture, as there's a complicated biological argument there.
This tendency for our society to become less community-oriented and more isolationist is not good for our bodies and souls, and gives strength to the argument that loneliness on a large scale is not what nature intended for us in our pursuit for long and healthy lives.
http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2009/connected-minds-loneliness,-social-brains-and-the-need-for-community
Charting the period between 1984 and 2004 in America, he discovered that the number of people living alone rose to 25% (from, I think, 11%) but the social networks of these people decreased by 50% in this period. The likely outcome of this will be more isolation and perhaps consequential bad health. But it’s also interesting that loneliness is an inherent trait like hunger, thirst or pain – it’s there to protect our species by promoting vigilance against social threats. Do listen to the lecture, as there's a complicated biological argument there.
This tendency for our society to become less community-oriented and more isolationist is not good for our bodies and souls, and gives strength to the argument that loneliness on a large scale is not what nature intended for us in our pursuit for long and healthy lives.
http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2009/connected-minds-loneliness,-social-brains-and-the-need-for-community
Wednesday 26 August 2009
Merging, the new black
We champion any ideas that create new ways for independents to thrive in the market. This idea of merging bookshops & record stores we love:
Creating new ways to do business by sharing space or bringing different ideas together. Here are some of our favourite shops that encapsulate this creative thinking of merging:
One major challenge for local shopping is getting everything you need in one trip. So we applaud Sandy’s Fishmongers in Twickenham who sell excellent meats & cheeses too. So not only can you buy your razor shell clams and whole salmon but gooey brie and tasty sausages. We need more of these!
Scooterworks – a Waterloo favourite. A scooter repair & supply business and excellent cafe/bar. How useful is that?!?
Greensmiths, also Waterloo, a traditional looking food shop & cafe but actually a rather radical return to the idea of co-op/concession shopping. A number of excellent businesses have come together to provide their food including iconic butchers Ginger Pig, Post Office Bakery and, one we know well now, Waterloo Wines.
Brill – record shop and cafe serving quite brilliant coffee in the very charming Exmouth Market.
Lock 7 in Broadway Market where you can “come in and have a drink, some cake, a meal and get your cycle repaired or just browse our selection of cycle accessories or second hand cycles.”
We’re on the lookout for more....
Friday 29 May 2009
Try a new church this Sunday - one of Life After Shopping
Today at Wedge we recieved this news of this event. Looks like fun, check it out:
Yes its true the Reverend Billy is coming to East London
Who he? A real reverend from the Church of Life After Shopping.
http://www.revbilly .com
The Death Of The East End Funeral Procession!
Meet Midday (sharp)
Starbucks Spitalfields Market.
Sunday 31st May
We will be holding a funeral procession from the Starbucks in the historic East End.
An area of diversity, clashing cultures and independence, the East End of London has long been a haunt of artists, vagabonds, misfits, anarchists and rippers! However with the spread of global capitalism, and the homogenised pseudo-counter culture that it markets, companies such as Starbucks now feel comfortable hawking their unethical wares on our doorsteps, traditional cafes are replaced with watered down impressions of some terrible episode of Friends.
The Reverend Billy, The Church Of Life After Shopping, The Space Hijackers and Rhythms Of Resistance ask you to join us in a funeral procession through brick lane ending in a sermon and street party.
Wear your black Sunday best, bring home made cakes, thermos flasks of tea, bunting and coffins. Bring dancing shoes and rhyming slang. Let us rise up to the invasion of the bland, let us show these unfair traders that their business is not welcome!
If your planning to come – let me know – I will be filming throughout
Chris
Producer, Film Maker,Communication s
07881-823071
www.ecotube. co.uk
Yes its true the Reverend Billy is coming to East London
Who he? A real reverend from the Church of Life After Shopping.
http://www.revbilly .com
The Death Of The East End Funeral Procession!
Meet Midday (sharp)
Starbucks Spitalfields Market.
Sunday 31st May
We will be holding a funeral procession from the Starbucks in the historic East End.
An area of diversity, clashing cultures and independence, the East End of London has long been a haunt of artists, vagabonds, misfits, anarchists and rippers! However with the spread of global capitalism, and the homogenised pseudo-counter culture that it markets, companies such as Starbucks now feel comfortable hawking their unethical wares on our doorsteps, traditional cafes are replaced with watered down impressions of some terrible episode of Friends.
The Reverend Billy, The Church Of Life After Shopping, The Space Hijackers and Rhythms Of Resistance ask you to join us in a funeral procession through brick lane ending in a sermon and street party.
Wear your black Sunday best, bring home made cakes, thermos flasks of tea, bunting and coffins. Bring dancing shoes and rhyming slang. Let us rise up to the invasion of the bland, let us show these unfair traders that their business is not welcome!
If your planning to come – let me know – I will be filming throughout
Chris
Producer, Film Maker,Communication s
07881-823071
www.ecotube. co.uk
Wednesday 22 April 2009
Breaking News! Government helps high street shops!
What a great idea! Community Secretary Hazel Blears has finally taken
our advice and, although we didn’t actually talk to her, our ideas
have obviously wafted across the river to Westminster. Blears last
week announced that there were new measure to help communities
“findcreative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops have
on the high street” by temporarily converting them into social
enterprises, local art displays or learning centres.
Also proposed are special planning application waivers, standard
interim-use leases, and temporarily leasing shops to councils which
will allow empty shops to get makeovers. Councils can also use
licensing powers positively to permit things like farmers markets
that bring local produce to the high street.
All good stuff, but why did we have to wait until the recession hit us
for any government response to the difficulties faced by independent
shops and businesses? Wedge and lots of campaigners have been
banging on about this for a long time. And let's keep it going.
our advice and, although we didn’t actually talk to her, our ideas
have obviously wafted across the river to Westminster. Blears last
week announced that there were new measure to help communities
“findcreative ways to reduce the negative impact empty shops have
on the high street” by temporarily converting them into social
enterprises, local art displays or learning centres.
Also proposed are special planning application waivers, standard
interim-use leases, and temporarily leasing shops to councils which
will allow empty shops to get makeovers. Councils can also use
licensing powers positively to permit things like farmers markets
that bring local produce to the high street.
All good stuff, but why did we have to wait until the recession hit us
for any government response to the difficulties faced by independent
shops and businesses? Wedge and lots of campaigners have been
banging on about this for a long time. And let's keep it going.
Saturday 4 April 2009
Shop Local comes to Stroud!
I'm staying near Stroud this weekend. Stroud is my birthplace, a market town in the middle of the Cotswolds with an award-winning Saturday farmers market. So I was mightily impressed when I arrived to see this week's headline of the Stroud News and Journal (SNJ) "Shop Local to support our traders". Stroud, like many British towns, is held in a clinch between two supermarkets, with a town centre full of a variety of great independent shops.
"Shop Local, supported by businesses, councils and the SNJ, aims to boost local economies and encourage a greener attitude among customers and traders" says the SNJ. Not only do they want to "raise awareness of the role local shops play in retaining vibrant town centres and a sense of community in our villages" but also to rid Stroud of plastic bags. Stroud District Council has provided hundreds of canvas bags which sell for £1.00 (with such messages on the sides as 'Reduce Refuse Reuse Repair Recycle' and 'Shop Local'. )
It's great to hear that people are campaigning on the Shop Local issue - but it's a shame that it has to happen.That people don't automatically shop in their local shops. When I was a child, my father worked in Stroud and my mother shopped at Moody's. I would go down on the bus from my village four miles away to stroll around, visiting the record shop and the lovely stationers. As the chairman of the Stroud Market Towns Partnership said: "Money spent in local shops stays in the local economy". And as for the bags - so far there are 11 plastic bag-less towns in the UK. Perhaps Stroud will be the 12th?
Tess Swithinbank
"Shop Local, supported by businesses, councils and the SNJ, aims to boost local economies and encourage a greener attitude among customers and traders" says the SNJ. Not only do they want to "raise awareness of the role local shops play in retaining vibrant town centres and a sense of community in our villages" but also to rid Stroud of plastic bags. Stroud District Council has provided hundreds of canvas bags which sell for £1.00 (with such messages on the sides as 'Reduce Refuse Reuse Repair Recycle' and 'Shop Local'. )
It's great to hear that people are campaigning on the Shop Local issue - but it's a shame that it has to happen.That people don't automatically shop in their local shops. When I was a child, my father worked in Stroud and my mother shopped at Moody's. I would go down on the bus from my village four miles away to stroll around, visiting the record shop and the lovely stationers. As the chairman of the Stroud Market Towns Partnership said: "Money spent in local shops stays in the local economy". And as for the bags - so far there are 11 plastic bag-less towns in the UK. Perhaps Stroud will be the 12th?
Tess Swithinbank
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Top 10 cafes on Wedge
We Wedgers spend a lot of time in and out of local shops. Here are some of our favourite cafes.
Swan at The Globe, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Southbank: A new arrival to Wedge. This riverside cafe/bar is a lovely place to meet, sit and relax. A stupendous 25% off all food and drink this April with your Wedge Card, so this gives you only more reason to indulge.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420702
London Review Bookshop, Bloomsbury: This bookshop filled with interesting book-finds also hosts talks, events and a little cafe. Clearly a good place to get smart and refuel. We love it. Plus 10% off books with your ole Wedge Card.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420527
Tea Smith, Spitalfields: If you like them there teas, this is the place for you. Stock up on a wonderfully wide range and also let them make you a brew or two in their teahouse. 10% off, you lucky Wedgers. http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420185
The Tea Rooms, Stoke Newington: Another great tea loving cafe, this time in the independent enclave of Stokey. Half price tea or coffee with your cake plus, if you take a fancy to their retro tea ware, you’ll get 10% off.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420515
Scooterworks, Lower Marsh, Waterloo: Cosy and rather cool, excellent coffee and bring-your-own food policy makes this a draw from miles around. We spend many a day having ‘meetings’ in here enjoying the lovely vibe. Great for parties as with a Wedge Card they’ll give you a free bottle of wine when you hire the space.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420609
Living Space, Waterloo: A community run space that has a cafe, internet access and other useful programs in a beautiful light new building.
Wedge offer: 10% off your food & drink
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420147
Tutti’s, Lambs Conduit Street, Bloomsbury: A real local cafe with excellent homemade food, friendly staff and good coffee. A great spot in summer to sit outside or curl up in winter and chat to your neighbours. A variety of Wedge deals on offer.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420005
Brill, Exmouth Market: We like cafes that shake it up a bit and what could be more natural partners than good coffee and good music? This little local cafe and music shop in the always interesting Exmouth Market is a great find.
Wedge offer: 10% off CDs
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420247
Cafe Gossip, Broadway Market: A veggie heaven with homemade food in an old house. Cosy, colourful and a good place to recharge.
Wedge offer: Half price tea with your cake, Mon-Fri
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420396
Chelsea Physic Garden, SW3: With spring so temptingly in the air we want to be enveloped in nature. These botanical gardens offer inner city peace and serenity, and some beautiful flowers too. Wedge offer: Concession rate admission of £4 (usually £7)
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420097
As much as we’d like to, we can’t spend all our time sitting on our derrieres sampling the delights of the cafes on Wedge as there seems to be rather a lot of work to do! Here is a list of all of the cafes on Wedge for you to search out and enjoy. Let us know what you think!
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=tagged&tag=cafe
Swan at The Globe, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Southbank: A new arrival to Wedge. This riverside cafe/bar is a lovely place to meet, sit and relax. A stupendous 25% off all food and drink this April with your Wedge Card, so this gives you only more reason to indulge.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420702
London Review Bookshop, Bloomsbury: This bookshop filled with interesting book-finds also hosts talks, events and a little cafe. Clearly a good place to get smart and refuel. We love it. Plus 10% off books with your ole Wedge Card.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420527
Tea Smith, Spitalfields: If you like them there teas, this is the place for you. Stock up on a wonderfully wide range and also let them make you a brew or two in their teahouse. 10% off, you lucky Wedgers. http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420185
The Tea Rooms, Stoke Newington: Another great tea loving cafe, this time in the independent enclave of Stokey. Half price tea or coffee with your cake plus, if you take a fancy to their retro tea ware, you’ll get 10% off.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420515
Scooterworks, Lower Marsh, Waterloo: Cosy and rather cool, excellent coffee and bring-your-own food policy makes this a draw from miles around. We spend many a day having ‘meetings’ in here enjoying the lovely vibe. Great for parties as with a Wedge Card they’ll give you a free bottle of wine when you hire the space.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420609
Living Space, Waterloo: A community run space that has a cafe, internet access and other useful programs in a beautiful light new building.
Wedge offer: 10% off your food & drink
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420147
Tutti’s, Lambs Conduit Street, Bloomsbury: A real local cafe with excellent homemade food, friendly staff and good coffee. A great spot in summer to sit outside or curl up in winter and chat to your neighbours. A variety of Wedge deals on offer.
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420005
Brill, Exmouth Market: We like cafes that shake it up a bit and what could be more natural partners than good coffee and good music? This little local cafe and music shop in the always interesting Exmouth Market is a great find.
Wedge offer: 10% off CDs
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420247
Cafe Gossip, Broadway Market: A veggie heaven with homemade food in an old house. Cosy, colourful and a good place to recharge.
Wedge offer: Half price tea with your cake, Mon-Fri
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420396
Chelsea Physic Garden, SW3: With spring so temptingly in the air we want to be enveloped in nature. These botanical gardens offer inner city peace and serenity, and some beautiful flowers too. Wedge offer: Concession rate admission of £4 (usually £7)
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420097
As much as we’d like to, we can’t spend all our time sitting on our derrieres sampling the delights of the cafes on Wedge as there seems to be rather a lot of work to do! Here is a list of all of the cafes on Wedge for you to search out and enjoy. Let us know what you think!
http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=tagged&tag=cafe
Monday 9 March 2009
Supermarket lovin'
We at Wedge adore our new supermarket on Lower Marsh in Waterloo. Wedge people loving a supermarket, you ask? Greensmiths is what we would describe as the perfect example of such a store – a butcher/baker/greengrocer/coffee specialist/wine and grocers, with a superb cafe attached (with just the longest table – ideal for meetings). They have brought together the Ginger Pig, the Old Post Office Bakery, Solstice greengrocer, Caffe Antica and the Waterloo Wine Company to provide almost all of your staples for your weekly shop - no fishmonger or cheesemonger as yet, but I'm sure they're on their way. The meat pies, pates, croissants, cakes and chocolates are delicious, as is the soup for lunch, or the toast and home-made marmalade for breakfast. We need more of these shops, where you can buy good quality nourishment, enjoy a friendly atmosphere and know that they care about their customers. And they don’t hog the high street. Take a peek!
The shop is open Monday to Fri: 0800 to 2000 and on Saturday: 0800 to
1800. Check them out on their website: www.greensmithsfood.co.uk
The shop is open Monday to Fri: 0800 to 2000 and on Saturday: 0800 to
1800. Check them out on their website: www.greensmithsfood.co.uk
Saturday 28 February 2009
We’ve been away for a while and frankly we’re sorry. We’ve been busy. What with the running of a business (paying the bills, recording of paying bills, arguing with our landlord about fixing lights etc.) and finding ways to spread Wedge across the nation we’ve neglected our little blog.
But our silence on our blog hasn’t meant we’ve been silent in real life (our neighbours would vouch for us ‘too much bloody weird laughing coming from that basement!’ we’d think they’d say). We’ve been up to all kinds of exciting things.
Even though most of us Wedgers are Londoners we are always surprised by how many great things are going on in the capital, often for free. It is to be celebrated that events such as this week’s launch of another great East festival are hosted for us Londoners to enjoy. East Festival celebrates the cultural happenings of our East London with hundreds of events and special shows from 5th to 10th March. The very lovely festival organisers are also encouraging everyone to purchase a Wedge Card to help them get the best of East London (http://www.visitlondon.com/events/east/wedge-card) so we suggest you do.
Here is what we’ll be checking out offerings:
Do Something Different weekend at The Barbican – where Diana will be heading to the kids discos, for her son, naturally, not (just) herself http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4306774
Anthony will be using his beloved bike to Cycle East, where venues such as The Arcola Theatre and St John-at-Hackney Church have joined together to provide a program of theatre and arts events for those wishing to explore different veneues and events with their bicycles. http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4357591
Petro will be trying out the Vortex Tour East with free concerts in unexpected places... http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4414798
And we know we won’t be able to tear Tess away from the food extravaganza of Circus Eat that includes a night of dining accompanied by performance and music by local artists. http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4341348
And while you’re in the area use your Wedge Card! Some suggestions would be:
10% off food and drink at Strongroom, the live music venue with a bar and restaurant on Curtain Rd, EC2 http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420424
15% of your food bill Sun-Thurs at The Real Greek, Spitalfields: http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420688
10% off exceptional teas at Tea Smith, Lamb St E1 http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420185
Thanks all!
PS: We’ve had a few lovely pieces of press these last couple of months. We were written up in an American magazine called Ode: http://www.zinio.com/express3issue=334123976&o=int&prev=si&pg=seo&p=65
And Red Magazine profiled our founding Mama in January. Right on.
But our silence on our blog hasn’t meant we’ve been silent in real life (our neighbours would vouch for us ‘too much bloody weird laughing coming from that basement!’ we’d think they’d say). We’ve been up to all kinds of exciting things.
Even though most of us Wedgers are Londoners we are always surprised by how many great things are going on in the capital, often for free. It is to be celebrated that events such as this week’s launch of another great East festival are hosted for us Londoners to enjoy. East Festival celebrates the cultural happenings of our East London with hundreds of events and special shows from 5th to 10th March. The very lovely festival organisers are also encouraging everyone to purchase a Wedge Card to help them get the best of East London (http://www.visitlondon.com/events/east/wedge-card) so we suggest you do.
Here is what we’ll be checking out offerings:
Do Something Different weekend at The Barbican – where Diana will be heading to the kids discos, for her son, naturally, not (just) herself http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4306774
Anthony will be using his beloved bike to Cycle East, where venues such as The Arcola Theatre and St John-at-Hackney Church have joined together to provide a program of theatre and arts events for those wishing to explore different veneues and events with their bicycles. http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4357591
Petro will be trying out the Vortex Tour East with free concerts in unexpected places... http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4414798
And we know we won’t be able to tear Tess away from the food extravaganza of Circus Eat that includes a night of dining accompanied by performance and music by local artists. http://www.visitlondon.com/events/detail/4341348
And while you’re in the area use your Wedge Card! Some suggestions would be:
10% off food and drink at Strongroom, the live music venue with a bar and restaurant on Curtain Rd, EC2 http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420424
15% of your food bill Sun-Thurs at The Real Greek, Spitalfields: http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420688
10% off exceptional teas at Tea Smith, Lamb St E1 http://www.wedgecard.co.uk/modules/merchant/index.php?op=show&id=420185
Thanks all!
PS: We’ve had a few lovely pieces of press these last couple of months. We were written up in an American magazine called Ode: http://www.zinio.com/express3issue=334123976&o=int&prev=si&pg=seo&p=65
And Red Magazine profiled our founding Mama in January. Right on.
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