Favourite shop and why?

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Catherine
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We've just come back from a little shopping trip to Booths in Clitheroe. We were over that way and needed three items for the curry we are making tonight. I like shopping there, though I dont shop as much as I would like to as it is rather expensive. But they have a superb range of spices and herbs. Today we went in for three red chillies, two cloves of garlic and some diced lamb. We came out with some samphire, :shock: three chickens for £10.00 three packs of sausages reduced on date, potatoes, garlic, chillies, lardons reduced, three bottles of white wine, reduced from £7.99 to £3.99, a cabbage for 50p :shock: and some really nice cranberry and pork chipolatas (for christmas) All bargains and will make quite a few meals from this collection. Not counting the wine. :)

Where is your favourite shop and why.
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oldherbaceous
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I like Woolworths, they were a good shop when they were open, and they save me money now they have shut. :wink:
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.

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alan refail
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Truthfully, and not to annoy anyone: Tesco Extra Bangor

Why? It's our nearest store where we can buy (almost) everything we need/fancy apart from what we buy locally like meat and fish.

Not everywhere is surrounded by major supermarkets - even Tesco Bangor is a 55 mile round trip.
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oldherbaceous
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There is a hardware shop about 6 miles away called Pollards, now the staff in there are very helpful, if they don't stock something you need, they will try their hardest to source it from somewhere else for you.
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Clive.
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Likewise, we have long established hardware shop in town, E J Tong & Son...I briefly worked in their mower dept as a YTS lad on first leaving school..

I'm not at my best in shops...
...but I do like to visit local ex Govt surplus outlet Ramco....you never know quite what you may find. Part of my work attire came from there when I stocked up on HMP made quilted, V neck press stud fastening body warmers... I have one only left in good condition for best...and a range getting increasingly decrepid...patched up for work through very patched up only dare wear in home garden.. :shock:
Could do with finding some more stock of these body warmers somewhere...seem plenty about of... zip up to the neck, all singing all dancing types with about 30 pockets but can't currently locate my more simple style. :? ...
We are away in a few minutes to a workwear clothing sale...just up the road from the KG magazine office...

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oldherbaceous
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Afternoon Clive, did you see Steve Ott there buying christmas presents for his family. :)
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.

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Clive.
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Hello Old H'

No, didn't see him. :wink: ....

Meanwhile, I'm stocked with some new work shirts...

..and then we went into the town.....
......as it was time for a plate of fish and chips down in the Basement at Mantles? :)....and then up to Hares? s/h shop...just to check for any tools...£3 of rather useful s/h lawn edging half moon purchased...
Achurchs hardware shop visited too.. They are a hardware shop these days..but the name was once very associated with the tractor and agricultural world..

Then back via a s/h shop in Hagworthingham...speciality seems to be Mugs....I have never seen so many...hundreds hanging on screwed in hooks in the low roof...must have been some serious weight there...any subject you could think of depicted...and very well displayed in type and/or specfic interests. Mum has been trying to persuade me to stop there for years...but somehow I have just driven on past :? ..anyway turns out it is my sort of shop.......somehow too much to choose from and no purchase made..although Mum now has a bought in Lincolnshire souvenir of Wales slate base room thermometer....last time she actually visited Wales was 1974.......

perhaps better at shops than I think I am. :) :wink:

Clive.
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Diane
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Got to be Milletts. There are so many innovative gadgets to play with (I never buy them - just play with them!) Torches that receive Radio 4......for example. Things to put in your gloves to keep your hands warm. Soup that warms itself. Woolly hats that turn into scarves. Shoes that tell you the time (I made that one up :D )
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oldherbaceous
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Dear Clive, a fine shopping trip indeed. :)

And talk of fish and chips has made me feel rather peckish.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.

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Clive.
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...it was to be Haslet for tea today...and then egg custard...both from Franklin House bakery in our town...but that is on hold for tomorrow now....as it was a lovely large plate of Haddock and Chips and Mushy Peas. :)

I forgot to add... I bought a torch in Achurchs hardware...it is the type with 2 batteries, a bulb and a switch to get it to light up....perhaps a bit more me than a Milletts one. :wink: even given my partiality to things Radio.. :)
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We are fortunate to have a local independent supermarket Jempsons, they stock local dairy produce, local fish and meat and local veg and fruit pickles, honey, and herbs, wonderful service too. Great reductions , we just bought two packs of 12 sachet cat food for a pound each, just damaged card boxes. I like supporting local producers, and it saves on emissions.
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I suppose mine must be like Clive's, our family-run hardare store inBedford on the High Street. It's called Goldings, and it comes to mind every time I watch the 2 Ronnies' "4 candles" sketch.
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oldherbaceous
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I was just wondering why so many of the little hardware shops are still managing to keep going while they are so close to some of the big D.I.Y stores.

I might not know the answer, but i'm certainly pleased they are still there.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.

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Clive.
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In the case of our local E J Tong & Sons, whilst independant and privately owned by the founding family they are, I think, part of the Mica group which I suspect gives them buying power courtesy of sourcing via Mica??....
I think there was a similar thing years ago through which hardware shops bought via the Stermat Alliance...
...it used to have lovely catalogue full of mowers from Qualcast, Suffolk, Atco ....Ironcrete rollers, garden tools etc etc... :) :wink: ............

There did seem to be a bad patch a number of years ago when things got down to small stocks of items on the shelves..with "I can get you it for Thursday" ...but of the last few years the range is very comprehensive once more and competative...backed up with personal knowledgable service ref their wares....


Clive.
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Parsons Jack
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oldherbaceous wrote:Dear Clive, a fine shopping trip indeed. :)

And talk of fish and chips has made me feel rather peckish.


Hi OH,

I had fish and chips myself today, in Tenterden. Probably the best fish and chips in Kent.
The only better fish and chip shop in my experience, is in Beccles in Suffolk.
There, that should start an argument :lol: :wink:
Cheers PJ.

I'm just off down the greenhouse. I won't be long...........
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