Since we launched in UK four years ago, we’ve been contacted by hundreds of people from across the UK and the world who are desperate to save their local, independent shops. Depressingly it’s not just our problem, it’s a worldwide problem. We could wax lyrical about the importance of local shops (they’re great for the local economy, give us unique and vibrant neighbourhoods, create places for people to walk and connect. They sell us more diverse products and are better for the environment because they use, on average, less power - and you’re more likely to walk rather than drive to them). But we’re also keen to promote the good ideas out there that help local businesses. Here’s one idea we've just found.
America is often thought of as the home of the chains, but we are constantly surprised to hear news from across the pond about the interesting campaigns and schemes set up to promote local shops. One we recently happened across was ‘Small Business Saturday’ – held on November 27th this year to promote shopping at local businesses on a day when customers are more likely to choose big stores for their Xmas shopping. It’s sponsored by American Express and a number of other organisations. In addition staho.com reports:
“American Express Open has also launched another marketing program which should encourage and attract more consumers to shop at small businesses. Consumers must register their American Express card at SmallBusinessSaturday.com and use it to spend at least $25 at a local business on Saturday. Customers who will do this qualify for the statement credit. Rosa Sabater, a senior vice president for American Express Open said the registration is limited and only 200,000 people can sign up.
Rosa Sabater also said small local business must be encouraged as well, as over the last two decades 65 percent of the new jobs came from them. She also said small businesses can help the economic recovery if they manage to attract more customers. Therefore, the company decided to organize the marketing program which is meant to attract more clients and to increase sales for small businesses.
According to the Small Business Saturday website, the one-day event is a national campaign which should inspire and persuade consumers to support their local small businesses.”
We at Wedge are keen to see how this has helped, and will keep our eyes and ears peeled
See http://www.staho.com/american-express-open-launches-small-business-saturday-campaign/208349/ for more info
Diana Bird
Monday 6 December 2010
Monday 22 November 2010
Make a Job, Don’t take a Job
Last week was Global Entrepreneurship Week which hosted 40,000 events involving 100 countries and 10 million participants and WedgeCard was lucky enough to be invited to the launch event!
Google’s headquarters in all their creative glory provided an inspiring and appropriate location for the launch of this initiative which aims to inspire and support budding entrepreneurs to pursue and realise their ideas.
Speakers included ‘dragon’ Peter Jones CBE, Chairman of Enterprise UK along with the Chief Executive of Enterprise UK, Tom Bewick, who stressed how GEW can really improve an individuals chances of setting up their business.
Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills spoke of various new government initiatives such as a mentor scheme for entrepreneurs as well as stressing that the current economic difficulties should not discourage entrepreneurs. David Cameron supported Vince Cable via a video message stressing the importance and need to support and encourage entrepreneurs for a successful future for Britain.
A panel discussion led by Justin Webb from the BBC included Mark Prisk MP, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise agreeing with Peter Jones for the need to include enterprise throughout the school system, as it is the skill set for entrepreneurship which is vital. The panel also included Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, founder of The Black Farmer, who dispelled the myth that entrepreneurs were all ‘nasty’, otherwise no one would trust them! Sara Murray, founder of Buddi, described the scary statistic that 95% of businesses fail, therefore entrepreneurs need to be “irrationally optimistic”. Sara also highlighted the important fact that some entrepreneur successes can result in failure for others, such as Tesco destroying local shops, an issue obviously close to our heart. Therefore, support must be offered to existing businesses as well as new ones.
Matt Brittin, MD of Google UK described the importance of entrepreneurs entering the digital age as small businesses using the internet are growing four times as fast than those not using the internet. Doug Richard, founder of School for Startups supported this idea by recognising the internet vastly reduces entry barriers which new businesses face. Matt and Doug discussed these important factors whilst sitting on a park bench, in true Google style!
This was a truly inspirational and exciting event, at the end of which, the message that entrepreneurship was the way forward had most definitely been engraved into everyone’s head! Wedge are excited for more entrepreneurial successes however do not want our favourite existing ones to be forgotten about and they need support too!
For more details visit: www.gew.org.uk
Google’s headquarters in all their creative glory provided an inspiring and appropriate location for the launch of this initiative which aims to inspire and support budding entrepreneurs to pursue and realise their ideas.
Speakers included ‘dragon’ Peter Jones CBE, Chairman of Enterprise UK along with the Chief Executive of Enterprise UK, Tom Bewick, who stressed how GEW can really improve an individuals chances of setting up their business.
Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills spoke of various new government initiatives such as a mentor scheme for entrepreneurs as well as stressing that the current economic difficulties should not discourage entrepreneurs. David Cameron supported Vince Cable via a video message stressing the importance and need to support and encourage entrepreneurs for a successful future for Britain.
A panel discussion led by Justin Webb from the BBC included Mark Prisk MP, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise agreeing with Peter Jones for the need to include enterprise throughout the school system, as it is the skill set for entrepreneurship which is vital. The panel also included Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, founder of The Black Farmer, who dispelled the myth that entrepreneurs were all ‘nasty’, otherwise no one would trust them! Sara Murray, founder of Buddi, described the scary statistic that 95% of businesses fail, therefore entrepreneurs need to be “irrationally optimistic”. Sara also highlighted the important fact that some entrepreneur successes can result in failure for others, such as Tesco destroying local shops, an issue obviously close to our heart. Therefore, support must be offered to existing businesses as well as new ones.
Matt Brittin, MD of Google UK described the importance of entrepreneurs entering the digital age as small businesses using the internet are growing four times as fast than those not using the internet. Doug Richard, founder of School for Startups supported this idea by recognising the internet vastly reduces entry barriers which new businesses face. Matt and Doug discussed these important factors whilst sitting on a park bench, in true Google style!
This was a truly inspirational and exciting event, at the end of which, the message that entrepreneurship was the way forward had most definitely been engraved into everyone’s head! Wedge are excited for more entrepreneurial successes however do not want our favourite existing ones to be forgotten about and they need support too!
For more details visit: www.gew.org.uk
Monday 1 November 2010
When was the high street at it's best?
The BBC news magazine have been taking a look at the high street through the ages and posing a mighty interesting question - When was the high street at it's best?.
"At its birth in the Victorian age, or the gracious Edwardian era? Or more recently, before the arrival of superstores and online rivals?" They have taken one market town through the ages to find out.
With over 13% of all local shop premieses now vacant, and the number steadily increasing every year, now is definitely the time to take stock, create good ideas, before we loose our high streets all together.
"At its birth in the Victorian age, or the gracious Edwardian era? Or more recently, before the arrival of superstores and online rivals?" They have taken one market town through the ages to find out.
With over 13% of all local shop premieses now vacant, and the number steadily increasing every year, now is definitely the time to take stock, create good ideas, before we loose our high streets all together.
Friday 8 October 2010
Breaking out of the business bubble
This week I’ve been asked to fly to Abu Dhabi to speak at a youth entrepreneurship conference. So, having formerly been a youth and now an entrepreneur, I knew I was the right lady for the job. It might seem a rather tenuous link; after all Wedge works in a hyper local way in London and a few parts of the UK. However, I promise you this isn’t some folly to get some winter sun whilst the team back at Wedge HQ are busy working on The King of Camden Awards to celebrate the best businesses in Camden Town, the launch of a bigger & better London Wedge supplement in the Big Issue and continuing to promote local businesses across the capital.
The reason is this: I was intrigued by the idea of bringing early-stage business folk, and those interested in becoming one, together from across the world. It’s easy to get stuck in a bubble when you’re in business; not only by your company’s limitations and potential but also the way that business is done in your culture. Look at how revolutionary the internet has been in changing the way business is done. Although it doesn’t replace traditional concepts of business, it sharpens, it enhances and it inspires how business is done. And it is these things that I am hoping to get from this conference.
Diana
Friday 20 August 2010
Great indy shops across the pond
A few weeks back I took a trip to stay with a friend in Cambridge on the outskirts of Boston. It’s a smart looking area (in more ways than one) being home to Harvard University and elegant tree lined streets with large colourful clap board houses. It was virtually tropical during my trip – a regular temperature of 28-30 degrees. It didn’t stop me, though, visiting some excellent independent shops and a vast number of tasty eateries. Here are my favourites:
Darwin’s Deli,: a slightly grungy cafe busy with students earnestly working on their laptops. Good coffee and divine homemade pastries, cakes and biscuits. It has the long opening hours which I envy of many American coffee shops enter. A good place for takeaways or getting things done.
1369 Coffeehouse: A similar ‘hard at it’ ambience to Darwin’s Deli, I nevertheless relaxed for many hours over a cheesy summer novel and ate their delicious homemade peach muffins.
Bird by Bird: I visited Boston in the winter a while back and, my god, do they know how to do winters. Naively I arrived off the plane with my London winter jacket and a few extra pair of socks for my son. Leaving the airport I noticed almost everyone wrapped in ski gear so I had to rapidly stock up on warming clothes for me and my little 'un. This funky children’s shop hit the spot, particularly with a thermal hat with built in ear cover and a fetching red star spouting out on top.
Harvard Book Store: A heavenly store for booklovers with a suitably relaxed, bookworm vibe and a vast collection of books to sift through. Upstairs is new and cleverly downstairs is used books. I picked up several bargains and some excellent recommendations from the knowledgeable staff.
A. Quinn Hair Studios: I am not one to spend much on my mop. My brain can totally compute spending £50 on a meal but anything more than £25 for a haircut and I break out into a cold sweat. When my friend recommended this hairdresser at around £40 I wasn’t keen. But after some bullying I went and LOW AND BEHOLD my flat, boring, lifeless hair was turned into something rather funky and attractive. Now I just have to figure out if I can afford the airfare + the haircut price next time.
Berry Line: Next door to the awesome hair ladies is a delicious little frozen yoghurt shop with its air of healthy indulgence. We stopped off and I was delighted with honey graham cracker yoghurt with a heath bar and strawberry topping. WE NEED MORE FROZEN YOGHURT SHOPS IN THE UK! Sign my petition here.
We took a trip down to Cape Cod for a few days and baked ourselves on beautiful beaches surrounded by low marshes and rolling dunes. It was a cute, quaint place with the occasional feeling that we’d stumbled into a Ralph Lauren ad. Aside from the sunning we mainly did eating. And as my friend is virtually a native of the area we went to the best places including:
Four Seasons Ice-cream and Cafe: For the most incredible hot fudge sundae I had ever tasted. Thick, unctuously sweet, fudgy hot sauce over homemade ice-cream with optional cream & array of sweet toppings. The best combo I discovered after three attempts was black raspberry and sauce. Ummmm. They also have a cafe there open for lunch and we dined one time on lobster salad sandwiches. These have to be the most decadent incredible sandwiches I have ever encountered. I am not a regular eater of lobster but I love the gall of scooping it out and shoving it on a sarnie. Class.
One last place I must mention was Cooke’s, a phenomenally busy seafood almost fast food place. We had fried clams and chips and that were off the charts good. Salty and sweet and a touch of soft fish belly all encased in batter. A great way to end my holiday and add that extra bit of weight I’d been missing.
Also good to check out if you happen to be heading that way is the Cambridge Local First group who promote the locally and independently owned businesses in the area.
Darwin’s Deli,: a slightly grungy cafe busy with students earnestly working on their laptops. Good coffee and divine homemade pastries, cakes and biscuits. It has the long opening hours which I envy of many American coffee shops enter. A good place for takeaways or getting things done.
1369 Coffeehouse: A similar ‘hard at it’ ambience to Darwin’s Deli, I nevertheless relaxed for many hours over a cheesy summer novel and ate their delicious homemade peach muffins.
Bird by Bird: I visited Boston in the winter a while back and, my god, do they know how to do winters. Naively I arrived off the plane with my London winter jacket and a few extra pair of socks for my son. Leaving the airport I noticed almost everyone wrapped in ski gear so I had to rapidly stock up on warming clothes for me and my little 'un. This funky children’s shop hit the spot, particularly with a thermal hat with built in ear cover and a fetching red star spouting out on top.
Harvard Book Store: A heavenly store for booklovers with a suitably relaxed, bookworm vibe and a vast collection of books to sift through. Upstairs is new and cleverly downstairs is used books. I picked up several bargains and some excellent recommendations from the knowledgeable staff.
A. Quinn Hair Studios: I am not one to spend much on my mop. My brain can totally compute spending £50 on a meal but anything more than £25 for a haircut and I break out into a cold sweat. When my friend recommended this hairdresser at around £40 I wasn’t keen. But after some bullying I went and LOW AND BEHOLD my flat, boring, lifeless hair was turned into something rather funky and attractive. Now I just have to figure out if I can afford the airfare + the haircut price next time.
Berry Line: Next door to the awesome hair ladies is a delicious little frozen yoghurt shop with its air of healthy indulgence. We stopped off and I was delighted with honey graham cracker yoghurt with a heath bar and strawberry topping. WE NEED MORE FROZEN YOGHURT SHOPS IN THE UK! Sign my petition here.
We took a trip down to Cape Cod for a few days and baked ourselves on beautiful beaches surrounded by low marshes and rolling dunes. It was a cute, quaint place with the occasional feeling that we’d stumbled into a Ralph Lauren ad. Aside from the sunning we mainly did eating. And as my friend is virtually a native of the area we went to the best places including:
Four Seasons Ice-cream and Cafe: For the most incredible hot fudge sundae I had ever tasted. Thick, unctuously sweet, fudgy hot sauce over homemade ice-cream with optional cream & array of sweet toppings. The best combo I discovered after three attempts was black raspberry and sauce. Ummmm. They also have a cafe there open for lunch and we dined one time on lobster salad sandwiches. These have to be the most decadent incredible sandwiches I have ever encountered. I am not a regular eater of lobster but I love the gall of scooping it out and shoving it on a sarnie. Class.
One last place I must mention was Cooke’s, a phenomenally busy seafood almost fast food place. We had fried clams and chips and that were off the charts good. Salty and sweet and a touch of soft fish belly all encased in batter. A great way to end my holiday and add that extra bit of weight I’d been missing.
Also good to check out if you happen to be heading that way is the Cambridge Local First group who promote the locally and independently owned businesses in the area.
Tuesday 8 June 2010
The Big Issue is being Wedged-Up
You cannot miss out on the The Big Issue London Special out on the 14th of June. It is brimming with amazing Wedge vouchers with over $475 in savings, local street knowledge about Golborne Road and your favourite watering holes.
It is jam-packed with 22 vouchers from independent Wedge shops all over London. And it is not only this issue, EVERY Big Issue will be bursting with Wedge vouchers. So get your hands on one quick, they will go like hot cakes!
Here is just a small taste of what you can get from the first Wedged-up Big Issue.
2-4-1 on our Burgers, Stacks & Salads at The Grand Union, Brixton | Camberwell Grove | Camden | Islington | Kennington | Kentish Town.
£50 off spectacles OR £25 off sunglasses at Zack's Eye Clinic, Kings Cross | Warren Street
£10 'Funny Money' to spend on anything in store at S&M Cafés, Spitalfields | Smithfields | Islington | Portobello | O2 | Leadenhall
To get your hands on these vouchers plus many more great savings, visit your local vendor to pick up a copy from the 14th June.
It is jam-packed with 22 vouchers from independent Wedge shops all over London. And it is not only this issue, EVERY Big Issue will be bursting with Wedge vouchers. So get your hands on one quick, they will go like hot cakes!
Here is just a small taste of what you can get from the first Wedged-up Big Issue.
2-4-1 on our Burgers, Stacks & Salads at The Grand Union, Brixton | Camberwell Grove | Camden | Islington | Kennington | Kentish Town.
£50 off spectacles OR £25 off sunglasses at Zack's Eye Clinic, Kings Cross | Warren Street
£10 'Funny Money' to spend on anything in store at S&M Cafés, Spitalfields | Smithfields | Islington | Portobello | O2 | Leadenhall
To get your hands on these vouchers plus many more great savings, visit your local vendor to pick up a copy from the 14th June.
Thursday 27 May 2010
An Ode to the DVD Store
I don't know if you have noticed or not, but DVD Stores are slowly disappearing. Not only the small stores have suffered during the recession, large stores like Blockbuster have been hit too. It wasn't that long ago when I used to forensic the shelves of DVD stores, searching for those cult movies from my childhood. But now, the local DVD store seems to be internet hire sites. Sure, this is convenient, but what about the discovery of something new? Whilst fingering through rows of DVD's in a shop, I would always discover some strange movie that I probably would never have entered into a title search online.
All this hit me when I wanted to re-watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, a movie bursting with childhood memories for me. And what struck me after a search for local stores was the lack of them- independents and chains. They are a quickly disappearing breed, much like toy shops I have noticed.
During my search I did find a gem, Video City on Notting Hill Gate. If you are looking for a DVD they will have it, or they will track it down for you. It is this immediacy of the DVD store that I miss. Walk in, browse (which is half the fun) and walk out with a movie. Call me old fashioned, but I'm not the biggest fan of online shopping and I hope DVD hiring does not dissolve to this. For now, I will keep hiring my DVD's from a shop, and swapping little film reviews with the owner- something you cannot replicate online.
Written by Lauren Ottaway
All this hit me when I wanted to re-watch One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, a movie bursting with childhood memories for me. And what struck me after a search for local stores was the lack of them- independents and chains. They are a quickly disappearing breed, much like toy shops I have noticed.
During my search I did find a gem, Video City on Notting Hill Gate. If you are looking for a DVD they will have it, or they will track it down for you. It is this immediacy of the DVD store that I miss. Walk in, browse (which is half the fun) and walk out with a movie. Call me old fashioned, but I'm not the biggest fan of online shopping and I hope DVD hiring does not dissolve to this. For now, I will keep hiring my DVD's from a shop, and swapping little film reviews with the owner- something you cannot replicate online.
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Simple Acts of Kindness
This morning I opened an email from my mum in Autralia, expecting the normal family gossip; who my brother is dating now, how hot the weather is there compared to London- the usual stuff. But I was completely gobsmacked by her email, reading something that I never expected to read.
Three months ago I had lost my Oyster Card, with my Australian Driving License inside it and twenty pounds. To mine, and my mum’s surpise, it has turned up at my home address in Melbourne with a little note saying, ‘I found this somewhere in Old Street’. No return address, no reward wanted, just a simple act of kindness. This got me thinking, what good deed can I do to make someone’s day that little bit better? And the chain reaction of paying it forward ensues.
One of our Wedgers, Katherine, was subject to a simple act of kindness. She was buying juice in a newsagents during our last long, cold Winter. She handed over the carton and coins, when the shop keeper remarked, ‘It’s cold outside,’ looking at Katherine’s naked hands. ‘Here, have some gloves,’ he said, taking a pair from behind his counter and handing them to her. She was completely warmed, not just her hands, by this lovely gesture.
What small things make your day? A smile in a shop, and a shopkeeper engaging in conversation with you? Someone holding the door open, or letting you out of the tube before people pour in? Small gestures like this can turn around someone’s day, and make that figure next to you a fellow human being.
Written by Lauren Ottaway.
Three months ago I had lost my Oyster Card, with my Australian Driving License inside it and twenty pounds. To mine, and my mum’s surpise, it has turned up at my home address in Melbourne with a little note saying, ‘I found this somewhere in Old Street’. No return address, no reward wanted, just a simple act of kindness. This got me thinking, what good deed can I do to make someone’s day that little bit better? And the chain reaction of paying it forward ensues.
One of our Wedgers, Katherine, was subject to a simple act of kindness. She was buying juice in a newsagents during our last long, cold Winter. She handed over the carton and coins, when the shop keeper remarked, ‘It’s cold outside,’ looking at Katherine’s naked hands. ‘Here, have some gloves,’ he said, taking a pair from behind his counter and handing them to her. She was completely warmed, not just her hands, by this lovely gesture.
What small things make your day? A smile in a shop, and a shopkeeper engaging in conversation with you? Someone holding the door open, or letting you out of the tube before people pour in? Small gestures like this can turn around someone’s day, and make that figure next to you a fellow human being.
Written by Lauren Ottaway.
Tuesday 20 April 2010
One for the Local Shops!
As an Australian living in this city, independent shops really speak London to me, and for many Londoners, it is important to keep this link with the past alive. It is not only the shops and the shopkeepers though; it is the spaces they inhabit. The little alleys, cobbled little streets, decorative pub fronts and unique markets are not only great for tourists, but they are where you can discover London from years passed.
The Brixton Market, including the three arcades Reliance, Market Row and Granville, are now listed as Grade II buildings. This was in response to outrageous redevelopment proposals, and this time the little guy won.
The Brixton market is the largest thriving hub of Afro-Caribbean culture in the UK that seamlessly combines its 19th century charm of tiny, irregularly shaped independent shops, with a small amount of modern retail. Can you imagine this place, with its smells, sounds, the flavour and essence of Brixton, being replaced with one giant modern retailer? It is nearly impossible to capture this with modern architecture. Now the unique Brixton Market is a little bit safer, for the time being.
Enjoy your local shops, markets, spaces and any little places you love near you, because they are part of us, that’s where our memories are, and hopefully, will continue to be made.
Written by Lauren Ottaway.
The Brixton Market, including the three arcades Reliance, Market Row and Granville, are now listed as Grade II buildings. This was in response to outrageous redevelopment proposals, and this time the little guy won.
The Brixton market is the largest thriving hub of Afro-Caribbean culture in the UK that seamlessly combines its 19th century charm of tiny, irregularly shaped independent shops, with a small amount of modern retail. Can you imagine this place, with its smells, sounds, the flavour and essence of Brixton, being replaced with one giant modern retailer? It is nearly impossible to capture this with modern architecture. Now the unique Brixton Market is a little bit safer, for the time being.
Enjoy your local shops, markets, spaces and any little places you love near you, because they are part of us, that’s where our memories are, and hopefully, will continue to be made.
Written by Lauren Ottaway.
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Take your Lunch to the Park
Buds are blossoming, birds are tweeting (and the rest of the world is too), days are getting longer and dresses are getting shorter; spring is upon us! But a lot of people, including us in the basement in Lower Marsh, struggle to see the sun and get our daily hit of Vitamin D. We have a small luxcrete behind a curtain where the new spring rays fight to get through, but that is all the sunshine we get here at Wedge. We have improvised by plastering a lush green forest to the back wall, and dotted our office with palms and greenery; but this is not enough when you enter the basement leaving the beautiful sunshine behind.
We have a lunch rota where we take turns in making lunch for the team, which means everyday we get a different home-cooked meal and save a wedge at the same time. Yesterday our Wedger on lunch duty, Claire, suggested a Wedge picnic. What a brilliant idea we all thought! She popped up to our local independent grocer, Greensmiths and bought:
1. 1 loaf of brown bread
2. 1 tasty cucumber
3. 1 block of mature cheddar cheese
4. 8 boxes of apple juice
5. 8 big red juicy apples
6. 8 packets of crisps
We each had a little packed lunch to take to the local Waterloo Millennium Park and Chrissy’s yoga mats (because she was off to teach yoga later that night). Sat on a grassy knoll, in between the huge, fiery tulips and daffodils worshiping the sun, we devoured our sandwiches in daylight, our skin prickling with natural heat, rather than the bar heaters beside our desks. This was a natural boost to our day.
It was inspiring to sit outside all together for lunch. There is something about a sunny spring day that makes you breathe in a little deeper, hold your head up a little higher, and forge that wintery frown into a blossoming smile.
We urge you to open your plastic-wrapped sandwiches in a park today with your colleagues and enjoy the warming weather. Fresh air and rosy cheeks can change the perspective of your office in an instant. And you may even discover something about the street you work on during the bustling lunch hour. Instead of running in and out of the sandwich shop and then back into the office, take your time and sit somewhere to watch your street go by.
We will certainly be taking advantage of this every sunny day in Lower Marsh, so you may just happen to us see enjoying our lunch in the park.
Written by Lauren Ottaway
We have a lunch rota where we take turns in making lunch for the team, which means everyday we get a different home-cooked meal and save a wedge at the same time. Yesterday our Wedger on lunch duty, Claire, suggested a Wedge picnic. What a brilliant idea we all thought! She popped up to our local independent grocer, Greensmiths and bought:
1. 1 loaf of brown bread
2. 1 tasty cucumber
3. 1 block of mature cheddar cheese
4. 8 boxes of apple juice
5. 8 big red juicy apples
6. 8 packets of crisps
We each had a little packed lunch to take to the local Waterloo Millennium Park and Chrissy’s yoga mats (because she was off to teach yoga later that night). Sat on a grassy knoll, in between the huge, fiery tulips and daffodils worshiping the sun, we devoured our sandwiches in daylight, our skin prickling with natural heat, rather than the bar heaters beside our desks. This was a natural boost to our day.
It was inspiring to sit outside all together for lunch. There is something about a sunny spring day that makes you breathe in a little deeper, hold your head up a little higher, and forge that wintery frown into a blossoming smile.
We urge you to open your plastic-wrapped sandwiches in a park today with your colleagues and enjoy the warming weather. Fresh air and rosy cheeks can change the perspective of your office in an instant. And you may even discover something about the street you work on during the bustling lunch hour. Instead of running in and out of the sandwich shop and then back into the office, take your time and sit somewhere to watch your street go by.
We will certainly be taking advantage of this every sunny day in Lower Marsh, so you may just happen to us see enjoying our lunch in the park.
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Tuesday 23 March 2010
Walking in Kensington and Chelsea with Wedge
Visiting the independent shops in Kensington and Chelsea has not only been a walk back in time, but also a discovery of the creativity and individuality of the local shops in the area.
Kensington and Chelsea have long been known for its unique shopping areas, and when you get down on the street and discover the independent shops you normally just walk past, you find out that this really is true.
I have been fortunate enough to interview many independent shops in the borough for Wedge. Sitting at their counters, I have had countless chats with business owners about the past fifty odd years of establishment, the changes they’ve been a part of and the generations they’ve witnessed. Their shops are a part of them, exhibiting their many years of trade and change to reflect the times. But some shops, like the wondrous giftshop Pickwicks at 3 Holland Street is still the same as it was forty-five years ago. Before Pickwicks, the owner Jacqueline Leberne worked at a Dickensian shop called Pickwicks Papers, a local shop selling newspapers. And this is what she later named her cottage-like giftshop after, housing an array of hand-picked items like coasters and porcelain ornaments.
It is an inspiring step back in time being privy to shopkeeper’s stories and I urge you, next time you visit an independent shop, have a chat to the owner; they all have amazing stories to tell, and they love telling them!
When visiting shops, I was frequently greeted by a friendly, furry staff member. And I will never forget Elvis, the snuffling little pug who, when he looks at your with those big googly eyes, you have to give a pat. He trots around Fifi Wilson’s beautiful clothing boutique on Godfrey Street, making sure everyone is happy and well dressed.
Another interesting character I met was Dodo, the wandering pigeon of Notting Hill, the footwear boutique on Portobello Road. The friendly staff leave the door slightly ajar so Dodo can wander in and out, inspecting peoples shoes and then perching on his little bucket in the corner of the shop. Children can come in and hand-feed Dodo some bread and admire the feathered little shopkeeper. Having a pet in your home creates a certain calm, and pets in store adds that small personal touch and is a talking point for many customers.
Getting to know the amazing array of independent shops in Kensington and Chelsea has been an experience I will never forget. It has changed the way I shop; now I take in the whole establishment, from the old awnings to the pride a shopkeeper takes in their business. Go local and discover the unique shops you’ve never visited. It is worth having a chin-wag with your local shopkeeper and his dog; they might have some interesting stories and secrets, or be able to tell you some history about where you live.
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Kensington and Chelsea have long been known for its unique shopping areas, and when you get down on the street and discover the independent shops you normally just walk past, you find out that this really is true.
I have been fortunate enough to interview many independent shops in the borough for Wedge. Sitting at their counters, I have had countless chats with business owners about the past fifty odd years of establishment, the changes they’ve been a part of and the generations they’ve witnessed. Their shops are a part of them, exhibiting their many years of trade and change to reflect the times. But some shops, like the wondrous giftshop Pickwicks at 3 Holland Street is still the same as it was forty-five years ago. Before Pickwicks, the owner Jacqueline Leberne worked at a Dickensian shop called Pickwicks Papers, a local shop selling newspapers. And this is what she later named her cottage-like giftshop after, housing an array of hand-picked items like coasters and porcelain ornaments.
It is an inspiring step back in time being privy to shopkeeper’s stories and I urge you, next time you visit an independent shop, have a chat to the owner; they all have amazing stories to tell, and they love telling them!
When visiting shops, I was frequently greeted by a friendly, furry staff member. And I will never forget Elvis, the snuffling little pug who, when he looks at your with those big googly eyes, you have to give a pat. He trots around Fifi Wilson’s beautiful clothing boutique on Godfrey Street, making sure everyone is happy and well dressed.
Another interesting character I met was Dodo, the wandering pigeon of Notting Hill, the footwear boutique on Portobello Road. The friendly staff leave the door slightly ajar so Dodo can wander in and out, inspecting peoples shoes and then perching on his little bucket in the corner of the shop. Children can come in and hand-feed Dodo some bread and admire the feathered little shopkeeper. Having a pet in your home creates a certain calm, and pets in store adds that small personal touch and is a talking point for many customers.
Getting to know the amazing array of independent shops in Kensington and Chelsea has been an experience I will never forget. It has changed the way I shop; now I take in the whole establishment, from the old awnings to the pride a shopkeeper takes in their business. Go local and discover the unique shops you’ve never visited. It is worth having a chin-wag with your local shopkeeper and his dog; they might have some interesting stories and secrets, or be able to tell you some history about where you live.
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Monday 22 February 2010
A Gastronomic Tour with Your Wedge Card
Getting local with your food is the ‘mot du jour’ lately, and with good reason too, since not only is it better for the environment, and has fewer carbon food miles, it also supports your local communities. What better way to do it than with your Wedge Card round all the local independents in London? So whip out your Wedge Card we’re going for a little tour round London town!
Starters - Our little tour begins in the heart of Wedge land; a fantastic cluster of shops located in and around our office and Waterloo Station. Get your meal off to a sumptuous start with salad from Casse-Croute on Lower Marsh; they offer wonderful combinations of beans, pasta, couscous, quiches, and many Middle Eastern inspired delights. And with your Wedge Card you get a free cookie with purchases over £5-bonus! Onto Greensmiths, a stone’s throw away on Lower Marsh, to top up those salads with a whole host of olives; they sell pots of black, purple, bright green and your standard ’olive’ green fare. And why not grate some candy beetroot for the perfect finish on your starting salad? These make a wonderful colourful addition to your salad, and are guaranteed to please. And if you’ve started your shopping a little late in the day why not stop by for a speedy snack which comes with a free tea or coffee when you spend £5 or more in the café after 3pm.
Mains- It’s now time to trek it across to the Nutritious Food Gallery in East London, Broadway Market. This shop does what it says on the tin, and is worth a visit just for the conversation with the owner. But yes, we know you’re here to stock up for your dinner…And fish is the dish of the day! You’ll get a fantastic 15% off fish when using your Wedge Card and you can then pick up your accompanying veg whilst here. Now that you have got the starters and mains sorted, it’s time to head down to Bedales in Market Street at Spitalfields Market for the perfect wine accompaniment. The expert noses of Bedales will help you choose the best to bring out the all the different nuances and flavours in your meal. And if you fancy stopping by for a little tipple yourself, late afternoon, Bedales offer half price on corkage after 3pm with your Wedge Card.
Cheese Platter- No meal is complete without the cheese course, and La Fromagerie fulfils all your Wedge needs: 10% off for your favourite wedge of cheese. Find them in Marylebone and Highbury.
Dessert- And all of you with sweet tooth out there, never fear, the gastronomic tour with Wedge is not complete without a visit to a cake shop! Head to The Spence in Stoke Newington Church Street, N1. There is a cake for all tastes: chocolate, heavenly cheesecake, frangipane fruit tarts, and gluten free polenta lemon cake among many.
Coffee- An after dinner espresso is perfectly finished with Rococo Chocolates, located in Avenue Mews, N1, King’s Road, SW3 and Marylebone High Street, W1U. A tantalising 10% off their tempting treats; may we suggest a bittersweet dark chocolate truffle to add that luxurious touch to the end of your meal?
Written by Nadia Bunce
Starters - Our little tour begins in the heart of Wedge land; a fantastic cluster of shops located in and around our office and Waterloo Station. Get your meal off to a sumptuous start with salad from Casse-Croute on Lower Marsh; they offer wonderful combinations of beans, pasta, couscous, quiches, and many Middle Eastern inspired delights. And with your Wedge Card you get a free cookie with purchases over £5-bonus! Onto Greensmiths, a stone’s throw away on Lower Marsh, to top up those salads with a whole host of olives; they sell pots of black, purple, bright green and your standard ’olive’ green fare. And why not grate some candy beetroot for the perfect finish on your starting salad? These make a wonderful colourful addition to your salad, and are guaranteed to please. And if you’ve started your shopping a little late in the day why not stop by for a speedy snack which comes with a free tea or coffee when you spend £5 or more in the café after 3pm.
Mains- It’s now time to trek it across to the Nutritious Food Gallery in East London, Broadway Market. This shop does what it says on the tin, and is worth a visit just for the conversation with the owner. But yes, we know you’re here to stock up for your dinner…And fish is the dish of the day! You’ll get a fantastic 15% off fish when using your Wedge Card and you can then pick up your accompanying veg whilst here. Now that you have got the starters and mains sorted, it’s time to head down to Bedales in Market Street at Spitalfields Market for the perfect wine accompaniment. The expert noses of Bedales will help you choose the best to bring out the all the different nuances and flavours in your meal. And if you fancy stopping by for a little tipple yourself, late afternoon, Bedales offer half price on corkage after 3pm with your Wedge Card.
Cheese Platter- No meal is complete without the cheese course, and La Fromagerie fulfils all your Wedge needs: 10% off for your favourite wedge of cheese. Find them in Marylebone and Highbury.
Dessert- And all of you with sweet tooth out there, never fear, the gastronomic tour with Wedge is not complete without a visit to a cake shop! Head to The Spence in Stoke Newington Church Street, N1. There is a cake for all tastes: chocolate, heavenly cheesecake, frangipane fruit tarts, and gluten free polenta lemon cake among many.
Coffee- An after dinner espresso is perfectly finished with Rococo Chocolates, located in Avenue Mews, N1, King’s Road, SW3 and Marylebone High Street, W1U. A tantalising 10% off their tempting treats; may we suggest a bittersweet dark chocolate truffle to add that luxurious touch to the end of your meal?
Written by Nadia Bunce
Thursday 4 February 2010
If only I had worked at an independent…
‘Hi, how are you?’
‘Ok thanks.’
Forced smile.
‘Do you have a loyalty card?’
‘No.’
‘That’ll be $9.50.’
Robotic exchange of money.
‘Thanks, have a good day.’ Another plastic smile.
Grunt.
This dry exchange was repeated at least three-hundred times every shift I worked in the express checkout at a massive chain supermarket in Australia.
There would often be a break in the monotony where I would serve one of my hungry colleagues buying a microwave meal for their lunch. This would follow with the predictable conversation of how busy it has been that day or bitching about a particularly rude customer. They would then trundle up to the tea room to heat and eat the soggy cardboard surprise and chat to colleagues about how busy it has been that day.
It amused me whenever the ‘big boss’ used to venture into the tea room from his big, dark office of demands and security cameras. Apparently he did this to show he was just ‘part of the team’ and to make him seem more approachable. It didn’t help when most of the team sat at the other end of the tea table. He tried to strike up conversation with how busy it had been that day and this generally got everybody talking.
One conversation that sticks in my mind is the merchandise placement strategy they were working on. The big boss had moved the entire milk fridge to the very back of the store, as well as all of the bakery items.
‘This is what people buy the most. Bread and milk. I want them to walk through the whole store through all the 2-4-1’s until they get to the staples at the back of the store. ‘
I thought about this obstacle course of temptation and it didn’t sit right with me.
I partook in this ritual during my first week to bond with my new ‘supermarket team’. Until one lunch time, a lady from the deli came into the tea room with a beautiful poppy-seed roll bursting with vibrant, fresh ingredients.
‘Where did you get that roll?’ I asked, salivating.
‘At the local sandwich shop, next to the newsagents up there. They’re the best!’
I ditched my heat-n-eat meal and marched straight to the sandwich shop. It was busy in there, but I was greeted with a real smile and the customers didn’t seem to be generally bothered. A bain Marie lay before me with hot pasta, couscous, vegetables and stir frys. Everything was in front of me, not hidden at the back of the shop between red special flags and offensive promotions.
I ordered some colourful vegetables and couscous and sat in their small café munching away, listening to the genuine conversation between the shop owner and Margaret about her sick Budgie Harry. I took my first deep breath of the day and my shoulders dropped. This is somewhere I’d like to work.
Why had I not walked those extra few steps and looked in my local independent shops? Did the huge chain monster blind me with its florescent lights and 2-for1 quick and easy meals? Working with the competitor has opened my eyes to quality food, and quality service and this is the only thing I can thank them for (apart from my pay check!).
Written by Lauren Ottaway
‘Ok thanks.’
Forced smile.
‘Do you have a loyalty card?’
‘No.’
‘That’ll be $9.50.’
Robotic exchange of money.
‘Thanks, have a good day.’ Another plastic smile.
Grunt.
This dry exchange was repeated at least three-hundred times every shift I worked in the express checkout at a massive chain supermarket in Australia.
There would often be a break in the monotony where I would serve one of my hungry colleagues buying a microwave meal for their lunch. This would follow with the predictable conversation of how busy it has been that day or bitching about a particularly rude customer. They would then trundle up to the tea room to heat and eat the soggy cardboard surprise and chat to colleagues about how busy it has been that day.
It amused me whenever the ‘big boss’ used to venture into the tea room from his big, dark office of demands and security cameras. Apparently he did this to show he was just ‘part of the team’ and to make him seem more approachable. It didn’t help when most of the team sat at the other end of the tea table. He tried to strike up conversation with how busy it had been that day and this generally got everybody talking.
One conversation that sticks in my mind is the merchandise placement strategy they were working on. The big boss had moved the entire milk fridge to the very back of the store, as well as all of the bakery items.
‘This is what people buy the most. Bread and milk. I want them to walk through the whole store through all the 2-4-1’s until they get to the staples at the back of the store. ‘
I thought about this obstacle course of temptation and it didn’t sit right with me.
I partook in this ritual during my first week to bond with my new ‘supermarket team’. Until one lunch time, a lady from the deli came into the tea room with a beautiful poppy-seed roll bursting with vibrant, fresh ingredients.
‘Where did you get that roll?’ I asked, salivating.
‘At the local sandwich shop, next to the newsagents up there. They’re the best!’
I ditched my heat-n-eat meal and marched straight to the sandwich shop. It was busy in there, but I was greeted with a real smile and the customers didn’t seem to be generally bothered. A bain Marie lay before me with hot pasta, couscous, vegetables and stir frys. Everything was in front of me, not hidden at the back of the shop between red special flags and offensive promotions.
I ordered some colourful vegetables and couscous and sat in their small café munching away, listening to the genuine conversation between the shop owner and Margaret about her sick Budgie Harry. I took my first deep breath of the day and my shoulders dropped. This is somewhere I’d like to work.
Why had I not walked those extra few steps and looked in my local independent shops? Did the huge chain monster blind me with its florescent lights and 2-for1 quick and easy meals? Working with the competitor has opened my eyes to quality food, and quality service and this is the only thing I can thank them for (apart from my pay check!).
Written by Lauren Ottaway
Monday 25 January 2010
One of our favourite Wedge directors was honoured over the New Year. Nigel Kershaw received an OBE for services to social enterprise. He has been with The Big Issue for 15 years, and is also CEO of Big Issue Invest, the social enterprise investment fund which has invested more than £6.5m in social enterprises. Wedge Card is a sister company of The Big Issue - and we’re so proud of you, Nigel!
Wednesday 20 January 2010
Our favourite new quote: Fail early, fail often
When I started developing the idea of Wedge Card with my Dad and his French PA, the most common response to it was ‘That’ll never work!’ or ‘The world belongs to Tesco now, I wouldn’t bother!’ It was disheartening at times to say the least but my intense stubbornness, which in most other social situations is a barrier to normal relationships; pushed me on until four years later here we are - a living breathing product. Since our launch we have hit upon a huge vein that gushes enthusiastically for Wedge and for that we are grateful. But the fear of failure has hung greatly over us, and though at times spurred us on has also led to much hand ringing and night sweats. Why does failure hold so much fear for us?
Failure in our society is viewed almost as a crime. Mistakes are not viewed positively. Yes we can make them and hopefully shrug them off but they are to be avoided. And yet isn’t there some awareness, somewhere that failure and mistakes on some level are integral to success? How can you know what the right way is if you don’t know the wrong way? Building a business is learning to navigate an unexplored path, particularly with a business that is innovating such as Wedge, with no bog-standard business plan to reply on.
Let’s not take it personally – let’s as the quote says – fail early fail often and learn how to do better.
Written by Diana Bird
Failure in our society is viewed almost as a crime. Mistakes are not viewed positively. Yes we can make them and hopefully shrug them off but they are to be avoided. And yet isn’t there some awareness, somewhere that failure and mistakes on some level are integral to success? How can you know what the right way is if you don’t know the wrong way? Building a business is learning to navigate an unexplored path, particularly with a business that is innovating such as Wedge, with no bog-standard business plan to reply on.
Let’s not take it personally – let’s as the quote says – fail early fail often and learn how to do better.
Written by Diana Bird
Tuesday 19 January 2010
Give Good Local Food a Chance
Local food and shopping has been a hot topic in the press recently with further discussion over the relationship between supermarkets and local producers. During The Today Programme on BBC Radio 4 on the 5th of January, the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said that the country should change how we provide and consume food in Britain. The government has a twenty year plan to increase food production on our farms and a strategy to revolutionise how we produce food. Their aim is to heighten food production to cope with increasing demand using sustainable resources. But this cannot be achieved with the unjust relationship between producers and suppliers.
‘In recent years, governments have relied on big food retailers to deliver low prices in the name of a 'cheap food policy'. Rocketing food prices last year have shown how volatile this system is. Government must now put resilience and sustainability at the heart of its food policy,’ Commissioner Professor Tim Lang from the Sustainable Development Commission said.
Increasing sustainable food production sounds like a brilliant plan and it is now feasible with the government’s new supermarket ombudsman, announced on the 14th. The ombudsman will enforce a new groceries supply code of practice (GSCOP). Currently, farmers are powerless to negotiate deals with large supply chains of their products and food giants often abuse their power over these smaller producers. Last year the NFU found that for a basket of food costing the consumer £37 the farmers would only have got £11. Producers need to be able to get their products in store without being swindled by larger supply chains.
The government wants to combat this, and the new code of practice will govern the relationship between producers and suppliers. The idea of a supermarket watchdog has long been debated and now, after a huge push from the Competition Commission who researched the unfair relationships between producers and suppliers, the ombudsman finally got the go ahead. This watchdog will deal with unfair practices, such as squeezing profits, cutting prices, paying late and making producers fund marketing.
Farmers have suffered immensely during the recession and the government want to make Britain a food industry superpower. They want food and energy security for the future and this can be sustained using locally sourced produce. For this to work the government need to loosen the stronghold that large supermarket chains have on local producers for an equal, locally supported market, and this can be achieved with the supermarket ombudsman. Acting under this new code of practice, the government will try and persuade supermarkets to be more responsible, and also provide more locally sourced food.
National Farmers Union President Peter Kendall said: ‘Government has said it will act in the best interests of consumers and it seems clear that the establishment of an ombudsman will give suppliers the confidence to invest and to innovate which will, in turn, improve consumer choice, produce better products, and ensure food remains affordable.’
Wedge thinks that this is fantastic news for local producers and independent shops. Not only will it help local farmers, but also the independent retailers who are in competition with the larger chain supermarkets. This new code of practise will even out the playing field between chains and independents and give local retailers the step up they deserve.
Let’s raise one arm in the air for local producers!
Written by Lauren Ottaway
‘In recent years, governments have relied on big food retailers to deliver low prices in the name of a 'cheap food policy'. Rocketing food prices last year have shown how volatile this system is. Government must now put resilience and sustainability at the heart of its food policy,’ Commissioner Professor Tim Lang from the Sustainable Development Commission said.
Increasing sustainable food production sounds like a brilliant plan and it is now feasible with the government’s new supermarket ombudsman, announced on the 14th. The ombudsman will enforce a new groceries supply code of practice (GSCOP). Currently, farmers are powerless to negotiate deals with large supply chains of their products and food giants often abuse their power over these smaller producers. Last year the NFU found that for a basket of food costing the consumer £37 the farmers would only have got £11. Producers need to be able to get their products in store without being swindled by larger supply chains.
The government wants to combat this, and the new code of practice will govern the relationship between producers and suppliers. The idea of a supermarket watchdog has long been debated and now, after a huge push from the Competition Commission who researched the unfair relationships between producers and suppliers, the ombudsman finally got the go ahead. This watchdog will deal with unfair practices, such as squeezing profits, cutting prices, paying late and making producers fund marketing.
Farmers have suffered immensely during the recession and the government want to make Britain a food industry superpower. They want food and energy security for the future and this can be sustained using locally sourced produce. For this to work the government need to loosen the stronghold that large supermarket chains have on local producers for an equal, locally supported market, and this can be achieved with the supermarket ombudsman. Acting under this new code of practice, the government will try and persuade supermarkets to be more responsible, and also provide more locally sourced food.
National Farmers Union President Peter Kendall said: ‘Government has said it will act in the best interests of consumers and it seems clear that the establishment of an ombudsman will give suppliers the confidence to invest and to innovate which will, in turn, improve consumer choice, produce better products, and ensure food remains affordable.’
Wedge thinks that this is fantastic news for local producers and independent shops. Not only will it help local farmers, but also the independent retailers who are in competition with the larger chain supermarkets. This new code of practise will even out the playing field between chains and independents and give local retailers the step up they deserve.
Let’s raise one arm in the air for local producers!
Written by Lauren Ottaway
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