Dear Portobello Shopkeeper
We thought you might appreciate some direct feedback from us, your customers. The vast majority of us don't want this superstore, we want to support our local traders. But, let's face it, some of you are going to have to pull your socks up.
You need to organise yourselves. Some of you need to get together to re-launch a traders association and you need to be represented on the Portobello Community Council - it meets 10 times a year, so it's not an onerous task.
We want you to stock a better range of products, so that we are not tempted to shop elsewhere. For starters, Ali wants fresh tarragon and I want fresh coriander. Can you fix it for us?
Dear Portobello Shopkeeper
Or how about any potential shopkeepers giving us some shops that visitors might want to go to - Mulberries is a good example already, so is Projections. Visitors don't want a pile of Tan Stands, Hairdressers and Travel Agents - they want craft shops, nik nak shops, places they can buy nice things. The High Street has to have a cross section. Yes, we need the food shops for the locals, but we need something to attract people who just want a stroll along the road on a Sunday afternoon after they've been to the beach (to help them forget about the carbuncle and the paddling pool!!)
Obvious I know but people will only open businesses they believe are going to be profitable. Otherwise we need to declare Portobello as an independent socialist state and introduce a planned economy. Not a bad idea now I come to think about it. But as things stand if there is enough business for people offering duplicate goods and services ie travel agents, fast food, then that is what people will open. It takes a brave person to go out on a limb and try something new. Ask the people at "Burps" or whatever that restaurant was called that closed down last year accusing Portobello of not being ready for them.
Although the two veg/fruit shops on the High Street do a reasonable job and Scotmid has a good selection if you arrive at the right time on the right day and Kitcheners has a few interesting things, I would love to see a shop that offers a bit beyond the standard carrots, potatoes, apples etc. I lived round the corner from Argyle Place near the Meadows for a while and in amongst the veg shops there is a wonderful shop that stocks a range of less usual stuff aswell as the basics. It never crossed my mind to go to a supermarket instead.
For people's information there is a store towards the Red Giant shop that has some less usual pulses, spices, vegetables etc
Although the two veg/fruit shops on the High Street do a reasonable job and Scotmid has a good selection if you arrive at the right time on the right day and Kitcheners has a few interesting things, I would love to see a shop that offers a bit beyond the standard carrots, potatoes, apples etc. I lived round the corner from Argyle Place near the Meadows for a while and in amongst the veg shops there is a wonderful shop that stocks a range of less usual stuff aswell as the basics. It never crossed my mind to go to a supermarket instead.
For people's information there is a store towards the Red Giant shop that has some less usual pulses, spices, vegetables etc