Tesco dont you just love em

[Fungus]

Local shops for local people. Are you local?

Most people will agree when asked if supermarkets are too powerful, and would prefer to have more small specialist shops. Problem is we all vote with our feet. And the supermarkets prosper.

I think that for most people the key advantage of a supermarket is having everything in one place. It's convenient. If I park in the town centre, I have to park in a big council car park, or on a council meter, some distance from the shops, and then spend ages walking.

What we need is for councils to pull their fingers out, and create shopping areas, with a shared free car park surrounded by some small specialist shops and some bigger ones. That way a specialist baker, butcher etc could flourish. But for some reason we favour big chains where what matters is pleasing shareholders rather than providing a high quality local product.

Farmers markets are very good and should also be encouraged. They help small producers too and the food can be excellent.

[Mindomoo]

And they need to be open when we need them....

I TRY to shop in my local village and farmshops.

But since they are only open 9-5pm Mon-Fri and 9am-1pm on saturday its a no goer.

Saturday mornings I sleep - its rare if I am up before midday.

They would deliver but I am an "inspiration" shopper - I often dont know what I am going to get until I go into the butcher and see what I fancy.

Until the, Waitrose gets my business. the quality is better than Tesco and it is certsainly more ethical. It may be expensive, but you get what you pay for.

[Fungus]

Good point.

[mcquiggd]

Local shops....

... are often very good in some towns... 'farmers markets' are a good place to find higher quality, but often same price or cheaper foods.... I was spoilt for choice in Norfolk frankly and the food was of top quality... and the monthly 'French market' in Norwich meant their was great variety really.

[bogeyman]

Tesco 'value' lager: 2%

Can't really see any value in that unless you just like going for a piss every 10 minutes.