Woodwares closing / Sainsburys coming to Portobello

[seashell]

Isn't Berty one of the corgi's?

All I know is that Monty is dead. And Bertie was the Queen Mum's husband. Which sounds like some wierdly coded message.

[fresian]

Had a little dig at PCC earlier in the EEN, and got a reply from Bertie, saying what a stalwart of the community DC is, and listing all the things she has managed to see off ( OK not all of them )

[Pal of Porty]

Had a little dig at PCC earlier in the EEN, and got a reply from Bertie, saying what a stalwart of the community DC is, and listing all the things she has managed to see off ( OK not all of them )

Well I will grant you a reduction in the number of tables allowed in Annie & Belle's café but a large supermaket is still a possibility on the Scottish Power site and the threat of Viridor has not totally gone away yet.

[sandstorm]

#2- Excuse me. Diana Cairns is a Portobello stalwart without whom we would have a much poorer place to live. Without Diana and what you call a cabal there would be a superstore at the entrance to Portobello or maybe even flats. The beach would be classed as open space, we would have a hovercraft service to fife, there would likely be a pox of childrens play areas all over Portobello and there would be a brand new school built on a well loved park.. And that is just a few of the causes were she has picked up the cudgel. leave her be.

or...as the majority of Portobello folk see it...
1. we could have a new multi-million £ school without the delay its had before the inevitable on Wed
2. we could have a well used hovercraft service running if her man hadnt stymied it
3. we could have many new people living in a development on a derelict site who would spend in out High Street; a development that would have employed potentially many local people in its construction
4. People in Park Ave would be £80k better off for not pursuing her personal crusade.

is there a choice?

[gillian]

Agree with all you say sandstorm, but surely Berty Windsor is another wind up ?

[Makaveli]

See when I see that list Sandstorm it really pisses me off at what DC and her band of boofons have managed to stop in Porty.

Just cause she has a lot of spare time doesn't mean she has the right to decide what others should have or not have!!!!

[sandstorm]

Agree with all you say sandstorm, but surely Berty Windsor is another wind up ?

Alas no - she must be part of the Koresh Dynasty alive and well in Portobello

[sandstorm]

See when I see that list Sandstorm it really pisses me off at what DC and her band of boofons have managed to stop in Porty.

Just cause she has a lot of spare time doesn't mean she has the right to decide what others should have or not have!!!!

...but they know best Mak.....surely you must know that.

[seashell]

#2- Excuse me. Diana Cairns is a Portobello stalwart without whom we would have a much poorer place to live. Without Diana and what you call a cabal there would be a superstore at the entrance to Portobello or maybe even flats. The beach would be classed as open space, we would have a hovercraft service to fife, there would likely be a pox of childrens play areas all over Portobello and there would be a brand new school built on a well loved park.. And that is just a few of the causes were she has picked up the cudgel. leave her be.

or...as the majority of Portobello folk see it...
1. we could have a new multi-million £ school without the delay its had before the inevitable on Wed
2. we could have a well used hovercraft service running if her man hadnt stymied it
3. we could have many new people living in a development on a derelict site who would spend in out High Street; a development that would have employed potentially many local people in its construction
4. People in Park Ave would be £80k better off for not pursuing her personal crusade.

is there a choice?

Well said, Sandstorm. Now, if only EEN would reflect that DC's statements are only her view, rather than that she is some sort of community spokesperson, everyone would be a lot better off. No wonder Portobello is perceived as negative when DC is around and being given a public forum for her personal opinions under the guise of in some way being representative of the community.

[Sceptic]

There are times I really believe DC thinks she represents Portobello opinion. You are either with her or agin' her. No grey areas, everything is either black or white. Sainsburys will come to Portobello, they will change the appearance of the shop fronts, they will obtain their off sales licence, they will benefit Portobello.

[BeachBum]

I fully support Sainsburys coming to Portobello, I even emailed them when I heard the news to say how pleased I was, as a regular shopper at the Rose Street/St Andrews Square and Meadowbank outlets I cant wait to have one in Portobello.

This past week though, I have felt a bit guilty when going into the Costcutter. The guy is always so pleasent and I'm in every day so we usually have a quick chat, although I can hardly look him in the eye now because I know, as soon as Sainsburys comes that I wont be going into the Costcutter, with the exception of Christmas Day & possibly New Years day.

[fresian]

Very well put Sandstorm. Bertie's comments were a response to my little dig at DC, although when I tried to respond to the comment, the EEN website did its usual and froze up. Reckon having a go at DC is forbidden in the same way as having a go at Karen Koren and the outstanding £200K for the world class iconic ice rink.

[lg1726]

Very well put Sandstorm. Bertie's comments were a response to my little dig at DC, although when I tried to respond to the comment, the EEN website did its usual and froze up. Reckon having a go at DC is forbidden in the same way as having a go at Karen Koren and the outstanding £200K for the world class iconic ice rink.

When I emailed Dawn Morrison the copy of my original email to Maureen I made a comment that it would be really good if the EN could find and quote other resident besides the "usual suspects". When Dawn called me to discuss my email and get some quotes she said that they were always looking for people to use. I made the point to her then that there were way more of us than just Diane Cairns living here and the views of those others were just as valid! Perhaps if we all offer our views we may be able to drown out DC and her anti-band!!

[Betty Windsor]

Yes let's hear from Sean Watters or Bob Jefferson. We don't often see them quoted in the Daily Chip paper do we?

[lg1726]

Yes let's hear from Sean Watters or Bob Jefferson. We don't often see them quoted in the Daily Chip paper do we?

I said "usual suspects" and I think it would be good to have the views of many represented. In respect of this particular issue, both of those whom you mention have not really been too involved. I think it's fair to say that if there is an opposition/protest group then the EN know who to go to straight away, but those of us who generally form part of the majority are harder for them to identify and get access to and we maybe need to speak up more!

[gillian]

It will be much easier to do this now that we have a name to contact and don't have to rely on the comments section to get over alternative views. Still think Berty is a wind up though. No matter, it gave Sandstorm the perfect opportunity to remind us all of what might have been...

[Grunk]

Now the real question is whether having more accomodation in Portobello as well as a commuter link to Fife would have increased the High Street footfall enough so that Woodwares could be sold as a going concern.

[lg1726]

Now the real question is whether having more accomodation in Portobello as well as a commuter link to Fife would have increased the High Street footfall enough so that Woodwares could be sold as a going concern.

We'll never know will we.

I was in Morningside the other day; a Waitrose, an M&S food store, a Woodwares as well as a well patronised butcher, a fishmonger, a cheesemonger, a greengrocer, a florist, several cafes, numerous small speciality shops, a toy shop, the usual newsagents stores, take aways, charity shops, bookies and chemists etc. It has everything you need, to get all you need and because of that all the traders see business.

The arrival of Waitrose and M&S has not killed off the independents. People go onto the High Street and stay on it if they can get their everyday needs met there and may be less likely to go "off piste" to the hypermarkets. The little speciality stores there are getting the footfall of shoppers going to the bigger shops. If all we have is charity shops or empty units residents will shop on the High Street less and less. Surely that will have a bigger impact on the local traders than the arrival of the Sainsburys local?

Perhaps if there had been this type of investment before now, Woodwares may have also benefited?

[Chas]

I know Morningside quite well and have seen it change over forty odd years, but I would have to agree that M&S and Waitrose actually make it a more practical shopping destination. However I would suggest that the population demographic in its 'catchment area' is a little different to Porty's; more money, fewer ethical principles.

I can't recall a Morningside Against Development campaign ever hitting the headlines, can you?

[lg1726]

The greater disposal income accounts for the Waitrose/M&S versus Sainsburys/Scotmid type of store, so we can have outlets to fit the demographic and indeed we should!

The ethical principles play a part in preventing that taking place as those with them are loud, vociferous and have the time to mount the numerous campaigns, but they do not represent the wide demographic variances we find in Porty/Joppa and so those who would want to see and shop in the Sainsburys find that their choice is affected by the ethical principles of a few, who are loud, vociferous and have the time to mount the numerous campaigns!!!

[gillian]

"I was in Morningside the other day; a Waitrose, an M&S food store, a Woodwares as well as a well patronised butcher, a fishmonger, a cheesemonger, a greengrocer, a florist, several cafes, numerous small speciality shops, a toy shop, the usual newsagents stores, take aways, charity shops, bookies and chemists etc. It has everything you need, to get all you need and because of that all the traders see business."


Any Jaikes?

[lg1726]

Any Jaikes?

Only posh ones - smoking expensive cigarettes (not fags) outside up market establishments under parasols (the Merlin!!) .

[Porty]

The hardcore anti-brigade here in porty have ethical principles?

They hide it well.

[Pal of Porty]

I can't recall a Morningside Against Development campaign ever hitting the headlines, can you?

Maybe not headlines but here is an extract from the Morningside Community Council MInutes:

"5.1. 21-22 Balcarres Street (former Saab premises) GC reaffirmed that he was perturbed by the height of the proposed development (6 storeys). This view was shared by a number of those present. In response to questions, GC explained that the roofline would not be higher than the neighbouring tenements and that the original application had been amended in 2007 to increase the number of flats to 39 and to have underground car-parking. It was agreed that GC should write to Planning in order to ensure that the risk of flooding of any underground car park was fully appreciated."

Deja Vu!

[Chas]

I can't recall a Morningside Against Development campaign ever hitting the headlines, can you?

Maybe not headlines but here is an extract from the Morningside Community Council MInutes:

"5.1. 21-22 Balcarres Street (former Saab premises) GC reaffirmed that he was perturbed by the height of the proposed development (6 storeys). This view was shared by a number of those present. In response to questions, GC explained that the roofline would not be higher than the neighbouring tenements and that the original application had been amended in 2007 to increase the number of flats to 39 and to have underground car-parking. It was agreed that GC should write to Planning in order to ensure that the risk of flooding of any underground car park was fully appreciated."

Deja Vu!

I don't know the details, but I suspect there is good reason for having concerns about this specific development. There have been issues for years with flooding on this part of this street. Not quite the same as Porty Against Everything®.

[Pal of Porty]

I don't know the details, but I suspect there is good reason for having concerns about this specific development. There have been issues for years with flooding on this part of this street. Not quite the same as Porty Against Everything®.

It was the roofline comment that caught my eye.

[geofflynn]

Amongst Portobello residents and business owners who have so far expressed a preference, 95% do not feel the opening of a Sainsbury’s Local would amount to over-provision of booze off-sales on the high street. Respondents also say the addition of a shop like Sainsbury’s Local would see them shop more often on the high street and spend more money.

See the survey results → http://bit.ly/QfAeRS

[Robin!]

What is a NIMBY?

I'm all for the Sainsbury's. They wont be any cheaper than Scotmid.

Sad to see Woodwares close though.

[Makaveli]

Not In My Back Yard - if you look it up on google you see a map of Portobello and a big red X over it to signify the death of the place. -

[Sceptic]

Not quite death yet, the poor sod is merely being slowly strangled instead.

[lg1726]

Heard a rumour that our local MSP, Kenny McAskill is minded to object to the off sales licence for Sainsburys when it comes up. He would appear to have combined the message from the traders meeting with the SNP clamp down on booze!

We live near the Quarry park and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening until late on the park was full of kids, drinking. This was borne out by the amount of broken glass I picked up on Saturday and Sunday morning, Scrumpy Jack would appear to be a favoured tipple! Now I may have got this all wrong, but I fail to see how denying Sainsburys a licence is going to change the problems we currently have with under age sales and associated anti social behaviours in the community. When neighbours spoke to the police they said that they had moved them on and that they went to the Daisy park, but were moved on from there and came back up to the Quarry. Perhaps efforts might be better targeted at tackling the issue of the sale of booze to under age kids NOW before we look at the granting of new licences for the future? After all, the issue of over provision of points of sale of alcohol came from the traders, but what about the concerns of the residents living with the impact of the illegal sale of alcohol to under age kids, that's a problem now, not a year down the line!

Is it me?????

[SoupDragon]

No it's not just you
The previous weekend the teens had been down at the prom
Some come down with blue bags filed with alcohol so some must be over 18 or they're getting someone to but it for them - I have previously been stopped by teens in the High St near Costcutters asking me to go into a shop for them. The answer is always NO btw

[SoupDragon]

To be honest though, I can't see underage teens getting their booze in Sainsbury who have a policy of asking for ID of you look under 25
Same as I cant see the same group debating the choice of bottle to buy in Fine Wines

[gillian]

Seems to me a mad mssge there Ig.

It is so very well known which traders sell alcohol to underage drinkers in Portbello. I really can't see how it has been allowed to continue all these years. The police must know which shops/shop does it. Yet they still have a license.

I have been asked my age at the Co op and like you I have been 30+ for two decades. I am pretty sure the same stringent measures would operate at Sainsbury's
Surely a responsible trader would be better for the community if numbers of licences are to be restricted

[lg1726]

Have to agree soupdragon and although I do suspect that they will get others to buy for them (I must be too scary looking as I've never been asked!), Sainsburys usually have more CCTVs to observe such practices and so all in all seems to suggest a more responsible point of sale. My 25 year old was asked to buy booze for kids outside costcutter - he says that was the place to go 10 years ago, seems nothing has changed! Cant understand why! I think our local MSP might better target his outrage at the current practices and look at how those existing points of sale can be policed better before getting his knickers in a twist over the granting of a licence to a far more responsible trader!

This issue of over provision of points of sale came from the traders, not the residents, they dont have to live with the impact of the under age sales!!!

Still getting my head around them debating the merits of a Verdejo over a chablis!!

PS - Rosa have you know I'm 37 and have been for decades!