La Cuisiniere Post Reply

[balham_itey]

interesting ! Whilst i do agree that lifestyles have changed etc etc i am not that certain the your example of Waitrose , a massive John Lewis chain with a car park , selling absolute necessities can be truly compared to a more specialist small local retailer . I daily watch 4 x 4 's driving into Waitrose and Sainsburys ......rarely venturing any further. There are actually quite a number of interesting ,quality shops in Balham now , offering exactly what you suggest . How many people can be bothered to support them ?
At the end of the day , if they were not here , people would not want to live here.There is very little point in complaining about their closures , if you never use them

[AbbevilleMummy]

My point re Waitrose, was just that the success of Waitrose proves that people don't always look for the cheapest option. Waitrose is the most expensive chain of supermarkets but people still shop there and in fact their business has gone from strength to strength even during the downturn.

i.e. people aren't necessarily avoiding independents because they can get cheaper elsewhere. It may well be due to the fact that they can shop more flexibly elsewhere that helps them fit their shopping into their busy lives. Staying open past 5.30, or opening before 9am might help. Also, offering some sort of online reservation service or delivery service. Independents need to think outside the box more and move with the times.

[balham_itey]

Certainly .
i think that many do , are surviving but earning very little.
Sorry , but i truly believe that an awful lot of people complain about these " surprise " closures , expressing sadness at the loss ,whilst justifying their eagerness to shop online , and chain -shop . All i am trying to express is that people really cannot have it all ways . Even " quality " shops , with good service
and reputations are closing .When they are gone , they are gone .There is no question in my mind that local residents should use these shops , and not just use them as a shopwindow for their online purchases.

[supergirl]

Independant shops absolutely need to adapt. Both butchers on Northcote close at 5pm. Why? People walking the road after work would probably stop there if it was open at 6.15?

The demographic has changed. I dont know anyone who shopped on a weekly basis at places like La Cuisiniere or Suzie Watson. More on an occasional basis when needing a present. We need everyday shop me think, independant grocer stores (although Trinity Store is closing). The people who live around are either on mat leave or at work, only a handful are available during the day.

I personally would put very high on my top list for shops: a bookstore with amazing children books of all ages (lots and lots of choice), i shop for all birthday presents at fun learning (approx 5 a months), so another one like that because competition is good, fish monger.

[mummyof1]

The other point to consider is that manufacturers do not always support independents. I tried very hard to buy a nespresso machine from La Cusiniere - there was an amazing offer on Amazon and also one with John Lewis - i asked them if they would match - they couldnt but said they would contact their rep and he woudln't help them. The price difference was over £20 so i'm sorry that i went with the web offer.

[Jen66]

Trinity stores started off as a grocers and not a café though.
then slowly migrated over to full time café operation with take away service.
I imagine that must be because it wasn't working as a grocer.

Can't see Poulet Rouge lasting the year either.

[balham_itey]

It is such a massive shame - in reality these businesses should be able to make a decent living , in an area of such ( now ) regard .
Business rates are a huge consideration , in that a small shop is Balham is likely to pay at least 6 x the council tax than that of a £1 million pound house in the area , whilst receiving NO services whatsoever ( not even rubbish collection ).
Surely Wandsworth must take some responsibility for difficulties faced by small businesses .

[Jen66]

the council and MPs for the area should be doing more.

Chuka Umumma has really gone out of his way to champion independent traders in Streatham and, as a result, Streatham seems to have a thriving high street of independents in contrast to Balham/Battersea.

I accept that the rents are probably far lower though.

[balham_itey]

i agree totally ,but also think there should be an opportunity for a forward -thinking , creative Town centre manager , with clout and flair.Admittedly currently in Balham i don't think that the Town centre manager is allowed much
freedom , it seems to be primarily a typically ,administrative "civil servant " post .

[jonathan @ hamptons]

Some interesting opinions being expressed on this thread. For my two penneth:

Town Centre manager
Clapham Junction have an amazing town centre manager in the form of Lorinda Frient. I have known Lorinda for the last two years and believe me you have no idea how much she does behind the scenes. Without her I can guarantee that the summer fete, winter market and Christmas lights would never happen. Sadly the position of town centre manager is being withdrawn by the council next year because of spending cuts so we are desperately trying to figure out how to raise funds to keep Lorinda on the payroll.

The local councillors and Peter Dawson in particular, are extremely vocal in their push to keep Northcote (and other roads) as interesting high streets and not bland boring roads. You simply cannot legislate to allow certain types of shops in a high street and keep others away, planning law just doesn't work like that.

Rates are set by central government NOT local government so if rates are too high then unfortunately it's predominantly Boris's fault!

The biggest problem we have is rents and people's shopping habits. I've said it before but Northcote Road has a disproportionately high number of landlords and most of them will just look for the highest rent payer. I mean fair play, would you halve your income just because someone had a lovely little eclectic shop that you thought might make the high street look a bit more pretty?!!? I thought not.

In my opinion schoolgatesmum hit the nail fully on the head with her post - we all sit at Gails for a coffee and then go home for our Ocado delivery. That's never going to help the butchers and it's exactly why the two veg shops we had a few years ago closed down. I know I paid twenty pounds more for my breadmaker from La Cuisinere than I could have bought it for online but that's the point - I was trying to do my bit to keep the interesting local shops in business.

I'll say it again - we reap what we sow...

Jonathan

Hamptons International
98-100 Northcote Road
020 7924 2170

[balham_itey]

... indeed , i do believe that we reap what we so . If we make a special effort in supporting these shops , then certainly it must help the situation .
With regards to the business rates , i realise that these are set by government , but am never 100% how they are worked out .I am under the impression that each borough set their own " multiplier " ( the pence in the pound of the Business Rates Value that one pays ) Therefore shops in different areas can have different business rates , despite being similar proportions etc .
As i said , i am not certain .. but they are indeed very high .
HOWEVER , the very bottom line has to be " Use It or lose It ".

[jonathan @ hamptons]

OK folks, here's the most up to date rumour mill for shops on Northcote Road:

La Cuisinere - Mary Portas charity shop.
La Cuisinere Two - Capstick sports shop.
No news on what Capsticks might become.
JoJo has nothing in the pipeline as yet, but a £70k pa price tag surely doesn't help.
Pretty pregnant - another pregnancy wear shop
Starbucks - Paperchase
Masa Turkish restaurant - for sale for a "mere" £210,000 premium.

I must express that these are the rumours on the street and as yet, completely unconfirmed by anyone concerned.

Have a great weekend,

Jonathan

Hamptons International
98-100 Northcote Road
020 7924 2170

[BTCdad]

Starbucks is closing down?

[juliantenniscoach]

I can totally understand Masa struggling. I've never seen it more than a third full despite good reviews/comments here. Not my cuisine really but I certainly wish them well.

Starbucks closing? Really, wow, that is a big site. Glad to read Capsticks are considering a bigger site given how hard product retail is now.

I can't see the suggestion of a childrens book shop working at all. Way too easy to order online through the all crushing Amazon.

[jonathan @ hamptons]

As I understand it La Cuisinere Two rent is significantly cheaper than Capsticks so the move is more about money than space.

The Starbucks rumour has now come back through three completely unrelated sources but as yet not in any way confirmed officially.

Jonathan

Hamptons International
98-100 Northcote Road
020 7924 2170