UKC

Regional Supermarkets

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 The New NickB 21 Nov 2015
Being a Lancastrian I'm very familiar with the rather splendid Booths, I lived in London for a bit, so I am familiar with Budgens and of course Waitrose is a bit sparse on the ground in these parts.

So tell me about the 'local' supermarkets in your region!
1
 marsbar 22 Nov 2015
In reply to The New NickB:

TFC. It's like being on holiday, so many yummy things. http://www.tfcsupermarkets.com
1
 wintertree 22 Nov 2015
In reply to The New NickB:

Lots of "Bargain Booze" and "Boozebusters" in the north east...
 yorkshireman 22 Nov 2015
In reply to The New NickB:
When I grew up in Hull, it was always 'Jacksons'. Nothing special, just a fairly low-mid market smallish supermarket chain - light blue logo/colours. I even worked in one for a while when I was a student - stacking shelves and trying to stop the local low-lifes from stealing lighter fluid. I'm not sure if they're still going or have been bought out by somebody else.

I spent 15 years down south after that, Oxford then London so got familiar with Waitrose and Budgens as well (I tried to get a Waitrose delivery to my parents back home the other day - there isn't one within 70 miles of where they live!).

Now I've lived in France for 4 years I'm getting used to a whole new pecking order in the supermarkets. Our local national chain is Super U, which seem fine although I went to Monoprix in Grenoble yesterday and was surprised to find they sell (very good, lots of range and plenty of organic, free range) food. They're a bit like a cross between BHS and M&S, with a hidden food section downstairs.

Locally its now the Huit £ 8 - a local store in our village which is an offshoot of Carrefour I think. A bit of a lie because it's never open 8 til 8 - has random French hours instead that change depending on the tourist season too.
Post edited at 10:20
 nastyned 22 Nov 2015
In reply to The New NickB:

Where I used to work in Kent near the Sussex border Jempsons was the local supermarket. Surprisingly the locals didn't seem keen on them though.
In reply to The New NickB:

Booths for me.

Does anyone remember Wm. Low. Especially the one in Fort William
 ThunderCat 22 Nov 2015
In reply to The New NickB:
We had one in Sunderland called "Presto". Not sure if it was a local one, but no one else I know from different parts of the country seems to have ever heard of it.

I don't think it's around anymore up there.

Since reading your OP, the radio jingle "You'll be impressed in Presto's" has embedded itself firmly in my mind. Many thanks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presto_(UK_supermarket)

Seems to have been a northern / scottish brand with an eventual nationwide presence. Name derived from "Prestonpans" (?) where the first store was opened...
Post edited at 11:42
 rj_townsend 22 Nov 2015
In reply to yorkshireman:

> When I grew up in Hull, it was always 'Jacksons'. Nothing special, just a fairly low-mid market smallish supermarket chain - light blue logo/colours. I even worked in one for a while when I was a student - stacking shelves and trying to stop the local low-lifes from stealing lighter fluid. I'm not sure if they're still going or have been bought out by somebody else.

I liked Jacksons when in lived in Hull. Think they've converted to Sainsburys Local stores now.
 marsbar 22 Nov 2015
In reply to Ghastly Rubberfeet:

I do. Think they turned into Morrisons?
 Rich K 22 Nov 2015
In reply to ThunderCat:

There used to be a Presto in Cheltenham, which then became Safeway and then Morrison's.
 bigbobbyking 22 Nov 2015
In reply to marsbar:

"Willie Lows" as my mum called it was taken over by Tesco.
 toad 22 Nov 2015
In reply to The New NickB:

Harry Tuffins seem to inhabit the Welsh/ English borders. Kind of like a redneck Tesco, I'm sort of surprised they don't sell ammunition
In reply to The New NickB:

My home town (Selby, nearish York) seems to have been graveyard for regional grocery stores - Prestos, Jacksons, Hillards, Kwiksave all found a (temporary) home there. The latter was particularly depressing - a visit there was like a window into what life might be like in communist Russia: beaten-down looking people shuffling alongside empty shelves.... pensioners fighting over the last turnip...... all those markets lost in time, like tears...in...rain.
In reply to The New NickB:
Morrisons are now one of the bigger players but it wasn't always the case. In the 1950's my Father-in-Law ran a taxi business in Bradford. His best fare of the year was when William Morrison wanted to inspect his 6 grocery stores in the City. The meter ran all day and the tip was a substantial hamper of food. It would be quite a fare today.
 Dr.S at work 22 Nov 2015
In reply to thebigfriendlymoose:

> The latter was particularly depressing - a visit there was like a window into what life might be like in communist Russia: beaten-down looking people shuffling alongside empty shelves.... pensioners fighting over the last turnip...... all those markets lost in time, like tears...in...rain.

I think you are describing the ASDA in Connah's Quay, not a local chain, but certainly local people....
 graeme jackson 23 Nov 2015
In reply to ThunderCat:

> We had one in Sunderland called "Presto". Not sure if it was a local one, but no one else I know from different parts of the country seems to have ever heard of it.

Had one in Blyth where the railway station used to be - now a much bigger morrisons. Also had one in cramlington where I used to work in the fruit and veg section.

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