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.

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

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