Trouble buying what used to be commonplace things

[pacharan]

Sorry if the thread title is a bit of a mouthful.

There have been a few things recently that I have struggled to find on the high street. Things that I'm sure not so long ago would have been commonplace.

1) Homebrew kits - Boots and Woolies always did them. Not any more. Had to drive 15 miles to Glastonbury to find a specialist shop.

2) Icing and cake decorating paraphernalia. Used to be able to get the basics in any supermarket. Couldn't even get what I wanted in our local kitchen shop.

3) Thread. As in needle and thread. Nothing in supermarket so went into Debenhams. Asked female floorwalker if they had a haberdashery department. Got a blank look. So I asked if if there was a draper roundabouts? Obviously talking a different language. Then she asked me what I was trying to buy. A housewife, I said. I thought at that point she was going to call security.

I guess that not many people do things like ice cakes and darn socks anymore :

[Spacecadet]

2) and 3) are sold in just about every decent sized supermarket

[pacharan]

2) and 3) are sold in just about every decent sized supermarket

Not in Midsomer Norton

[amcdonald]

Did you not try to buy them online, by the time you drive round hunting for them it would cost more than having them delivered ?

[hyperD]

Get all your home brew kits, mashes and even stills from here:

The Home Brew Shop - Online Delivery

[thunderlizard]

I am a massive Robert Dyas fan.

[wim121]

3) Thread. As in needle and thread. Nothing in supermarket so went into Debenhams. Asked female floorwalker if they had a haberdashery department. Got a blank look. So I asked if if there was a draper roundabouts? Obviously talking a different language. Then she asked me what I was trying to buy. A housewife, I said. I thought at that point she was going to call security.

Try ebay, loads of crafty things on there. That's where the OH gets her material. Maybe it is your antiquated language?


I find hetrosexual clothing nigh on impossible to find. In my youth, burtons and virtually every high street mens store, used to sell normal clothes. No logos or writing, just a nice comfortable one colour top or pants.

Now all clothing targeting men is lacy or even in places like m&s, skin/slim fit. So I either have the choice of buying cardigans and courdroys targeted at a 60 year old, lacy and vivid colours targeted at queers or logos and babble on clothing making me a corporate prostitute.

Is it so unreasonable to not want any of those three choices? It has got to the point that I find it difficult to find appropriate clothing outside of london.

[Sands of Time]

If there was enough demand they would sell them.



Tone

[Halo Jones]

A housewife, I said. I thought at that point she was going to call security:

I guess that not many people do things like ice cakes and darn socks anymore :

I hope to see a resurgence of the DIY craft type stores: not the trendy “everything cut out, pre glued, just stick it on” but the proper start from scratch type. Luckily in my home town there is a selection of fabric shops & cake shops, its just a shame the nearest leatherworker is in Northampton

[SupremeSpod]

I hope to see a resurgence of the DIY craft type stores: not the trendy “everything cut out, pre glued, just stick it on” but the proper start from scratch type. Luckily in my home town there is a selection of fabric shops & cake shops, its just a shame the nearest leatherworker is in Northampton

Plan "B" perhaps?