Clapton Pond Blog

Tesco In Clapton: Palm 2 Prepares

I bumped into an old friend in the fruit and veg section the other day. He was swooning at the mushrooms - six different kinds, all attractively displayed. "I think we'll all be winners," he said.

That's the first person I've heard describe the imminent arrival of Tesco in such terms, and I can see what means. No recent visitor to Palm 2 can fail to have noticed that Abdullah and his team have been sharpening up what I imagine retail gurus would term their "customer offer". The delicatessen has broadened its range and the fresh produce is looking fresher. Home made soup has been available since (I think) before Christmas and the front of the shop has been reorganised to be more spacious. Now they're offering to refill your Ecover bottles and even to look after parcels delivered to your home when you are out. They've also revived the home delivery service they tried out a while back (text your orders to 07889935310. Must be for £15 or more).

Pillar Box Blockage

Why has this pillar box on Cornthwaite Road been blocked up for several weeks? Why are the ones at the bottom of Chatsworth Road opposite Millfields park and outside the former (thanks Gordon) post office by the roundabout at the top of Lower Clapton Road not blocked up? Why have I not got round to phoning either of the two numbers shown on the blocked up pillar box to ask? I can answer that last question: I haven't got round to it. Perhaps I will tomorrow. Perhaps you will before I do. If you do, please let me know what you were told (click on the pic to make the numbers more visible. Or believe me when I tell you that they are 08457 740740 and 0845 6000606).  

End Of An Era On Well Street

From the Standard:

The last fruit and vegetable stall in the market where Jack Cohen founded the Tesco empire 80 years ago has shut and traders blame competition from the supermarket for its demise. Martin Wiles, whose family have been trading in Well Street Market, Hackney, for 50 years, held a party for customers and friends before packing up. His was the last daily stall in a once-bustling market. Now there is one weekend clothes stall left in the whole street.

Mr Wiles, 53, from Romford, said: "It's pointless trying to trade around here at the moment. It's just so quiet. When I started 35 years ago there were 50 stalls on a Saturday. "Just like high streets across the country, a supermarket has killed it for independent traders like me. It rips the heart out of a community. The difference here is that this market is where it all began for Tesco."

Discuss.

Mesudiye

You know that former Turkish social club called Mesudiye on the left hand side of Lower Clapton Road heading south? The one that's recently become a sort of covered fruit and veg stall where you can buy a bowl of anything for a pound? Well, this photo is hanging on the wall in there. Just thought you ought to know.

Post Office Blues

Saturday morning at my house.

My wife: "I've got to go to the post office."

Me: "OK."

My wife: "What time does it close today? Is it 12.00?"

Me: Um...Oh, I don't think it will be open actually."

My wife: "Why?"

Me: "It's closed forever, isn't it?"

Thanks Gordon.

Nando's Go-Ahead

From the Gazette:

"Campaigners have pledged to continue their boycott of a restaurant they fear will ruin the character of their street. Nando's will open its doors in Stoke Newington Church Street next Wednesday after securing a premises licence."

Now read on.

The Future For Chimes

The squatters have gone and Howun Estates have plans:

"The company bought the building in February 2007 but the squatters said the property had been empty for the past three years. Managing director Rasik Bakrania said that he would now be seeking outline planning permission to transform the rundown building on Lower Clapton Road. The plan is to turn the four-storey building into commercial premises for shops or businesses."

How about a post office? Now read on.

Our Ex-Post Office

Responses to the news that the local former post office in Lower Clapton Road may become an office licence have been negative so far. I thought the following from treasured reader Rosemarie, who is a medical professional, deserved a higher profile.

"Does the population of Hackney need any further increase in the availability of alcohol??? Do we need more yellow jaundice, more depression, more alcohol-fuelled violence (including domestic), more brain-damage, more people unable to remember what they are doing, spending their life searching for booze, more street-drinkers, more people vomitting blood, more swollen bloated abdomens, more swollen legs, more diarrhoea, more people suffering the pain of their own pancreatic enzymes burning into them? Really do we need more? Cider is cheaper than cola in Clapton already. The place is awash with alcohol. Please think of something else to sell."

Over to you.

But Will It Sell Stamps?

And so our ex-Post Office is set to become an off licence.

Less Of The Hope

I used this garage once. Let's just say I didn't find it terribly well-named.