Nice people thread 2 - now even nicer

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've no idea what Dunhelm Mill is ... so had to google it.

Ah, nearest is 50 miles, so I've never seen one. And that's 50 rural miles. Nearest 3 are: 50 miles, 60 miles, 90 miles.

Even a Lakeland's 20 miles away and it's tiny. Cheaper to buy online and pay P&P than drive/park or catch the bus.

I've not heard of it either PN. I love lakeland too but spend too much in there or make huge wishlists.

PasturesNew

I've been completely out of the retail loop and the way shopping's changed in the past 10 years. Huddled away down here in a tiny corner of the UK, most of these "national" chains never got near.

Even Sunday opening's a fairly new concept - and as for "late night" shopping, it's done for a few weeks in the run up to Xmas in the capital city (resident population 20,000), 20 miles away from me.

I hadn't even seen a Starbucks until recently, although there is one in the county now.

Lots of independents here.... lots of them selling posh stuff to tourists.

For "proper shopping" I'd have to go probably to Bristol/similar, so 160 miles, although there's a new shopping place just 50-60 miles away that opened about a year ago but no idea if that's any good.

When I read the boards here and everything's about: Asda, Tesco, Netto, Poundland, Wilkinsons and a dozen other names they all seem familiar with, it is quite a disheartening read as you realise others seem to have unlimited access to cheap buys within a reasonable proximity. Although there is now a small Poundland here for the first time and a Wilkinsons just 18 miles away. But they're still "going out, specifically to try to buy" decisions to be made. The best opportunities come from ready/daily access to any shops and wandering through regularly on the off chance of spotting great buys.

Access to goods and services are the biggest issues in rural areas.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've been completely out of the retail loop and the way shopping's changed in the past 10 years. Huddled away down here in a tiny corner of the UK, most of these "national" chains never got near.

Even Sunday opening's a fairly new concept - and as for "late night" shopping, it's done for a few weeks in the run up to Xmas in the capital city (resident population 20,000), 20 miles away from me.

I hadn't even seen a Starbucks until recently, although there is one in the county now.

Lots of independents here.... lots of them selling posh stuff to tourists.

For "proper shopping" I'd have to go probably to Bristol/similar, so 160 miles, although there's a new shopping place just 50-60 miles away that opened about a year ago but no idea if that's any good.

When I read the boards here and everything's about: Asda, Tesco, Netto, Poundland, Wilkinsons and a dozen other names they all seem familiar with, it is quite a disheartening read as you realise others seem to have unlimited access to cheap buys within a reasonable proximity. Although there is now a small Poundland here for the first time and a Wilkinsons just 18 miles away. But they're still "going out, specifically to try to buy" decisions to be made. The best opportunities come from ready/daily access to any shops and wandering through regularly on the off chance of spotting great buys.

Access to goods and services are the biggest issues in rural areas.

I find it weird now, much more access, and as you say, to the cheaper shops. I get a bit goggle-eyed tbh. And we live somewhere we can use a two for one pizza voucher! weirdly DH finds that exciting too, despite the fact he is in London four nights a week and that we don't eat take out very often. Go figure!

GDB2222

lostinrates wrote: »

I love lakeland too but spend too much in there or make huge wishlists.

The kids, when really very little, referred to the big DIY sheds as daddies' supermarkets. Lakeland is definitely a mummies' supermarket.

I was dragged into the one in Cambridge, but fortunately they had a chair near the door for daddies to sit in and read the paper whilst not distracting the mummies from the serious business of buying very important and useful things at premium prices.

GDB2222

Just received this linky

http://www.chcg.gov.tw/english/08faq/01main_detail.asp?eid=2284

Ellie2758

9.8 miles from me, but they wont answer the phone :mad:

My dining table looks as if a bomb has hit it...............:( i MUST tidy up NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.....:eek:

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've no idea what Dunhelm Mill is ... so had to google it.

Ah, nearest is 50 miles, so I've never seen one. And that's 50 rural miles. Nearest 3 are: 50 miles, 60 miles, 90 miles.

Even a Lakeland's 20 miles away and it's tiny. Cheaper to buy online and pay P&P than drive/park or catch the bus.

michaels

We had a nearby focus diy close a year ago - it was between wickes and homebase. They are redeveloping the unit and I was really hoping it would be a B&Q as that would keep the others more price competitive but am gutted to see it will be a Dunelm Mill - especially as the Mrs is quite partial to their overpriced tat

GDB2222 wrote: »

The kids, when really very little, referred to the big DIY sheds as daddies' supermarkets. Lakeland is definitely a mummies' supermarket.

I was dragged into the one in Cambridge, but fortunately they had a chair near the door for daddies to sit in and read the paper whilst not distracting the mummies from the serious business of buying very important and useful things at premium prices.

lostinrates

GDB2222 wrote: »

The kids, when really very little, referred to the big DIY sheds as daddies' supermarkets. Lakeland is definitely a mummies' supermarket.

I was dragged into the one in Cambridge, but fortunately they had a chair near the door for daddies to sit in and read the paper whilst not distracting the mummies from the serious business of buying very important and useful things at premium prices.

I would confuse your children. Sunday was the first time ever I turned down a trip to the DIY chain.

Carolt, apart from the (deep breath) bedroom, desk and coffee table tops, the utility room and the study (which is a room I forgot we haven't unpacked AT ALL) I'm please to report house is good. That sounds better to me than it must do anyone reading it. :o

Dog got bathed (twice) and other dog goes to a friend tomorrow to be cleaned, so tomorrow is most certainly dog bed washing day. They also now have sofas to sleep on ...dog-dog no longer comes to bed with me ..so all those cushion covers (under layers of vet bed and decorators cloths) can also be washed tomorrow while I bicarb and hoover their sofas. There is meant to be a break in the rain tomorrow for drying things That means I also must clean the washing machine tomorrow (I miss having an animal washing machine ...my washing machine actually is the dogs' washing machine from my mother's house :rotfl:). I also really want to spend sometime in the garden tomorrow. I have two tiny borders dug over. One is the start of my ''white garden'' and one is a nursery bed for random non-white flowering gifts. I doubt tomorrow will dry out enough for the grass (which is almost a relief, that,s a long job)

I'm going to face coffee table top tonight and at least shuffle about the desk top.

lostinrates

michaels wrote: »

I was really hoping it would be a B&Q as tat would keep the others more price competitive

I saw a single potted ordinary lavender for £14.99 at B&Q this year. DH made me go sit in the car as I was so vocal about it:o

silvercar

michaels wrote: »

We had a nearby focus diy close a year ago - it was between wickes and homebase. They are redeveloping the unit and I was really hoping it would be a B&Q as tat would keep the others more price competitive but am gutted to see it will be a Dunelm Mill - especially as the Mrs is quite partial to their overpriced tat

Excellent news. Where exactly?