It's been another week of shopping local and a real mix of the good and the bad. Let's take a look at what that was.
As mentioned previously, certain items were hard to find. So have I found them? The answer is no.
I had managed to get some bargain price nappies at a local store but repeating that was unlikely as shops tend to hold the small packs at a higher price.
I hadn't located baby food and this week the problem is still there. Small retailer only tend to hold a couple of pots.So I thought maybe I should just buy a bulk order online direct from the supplier (not local but avoiding the high street). Unfortunately the cheaper brand I use have just moved their shop to Amazon. And I don't really want to be supporting them!
I continued looking for an online alternative but could only find the items at a higher cost price. Going local and keeping away from the chain stores shouldn't be a luxury experience! Still puzzling about how I could get around this, I decided I'll cheat, I'll go high street but from a retailer I like - Waitrose.
So out on my adventures, I decided to pop into the Waitrose at Clapham Junction (not really local). Did they have the baby food I want? Hell no!!! So have I bought any baby food? Apart from the random odd jar, no.
Sausages I like (chipolatas) are still elusive. And I haven't found a bread I'm happy with. There is the option of the farmers market. I do get some bits and pieces from them but I am sometimes paying the higher end of prices.
I haven't found Bisto caramelised onion gravy, risotto rice at a non-deli price and Ready-brek or bagels. None of these items are particularly unusual but maybe for the small retailers they are a risk investment.
I noticed that many of the little shops sell the same products so if I'm looking for a certain spice, I can probably get it in at least ten local shops. I can understand why they wouldn't get in items which aren't bought by their usual clientele. To get new purchasers to come through the door, big businesses have to do huge advertising campaigns. It would be hard for a little store to tell customers that they provide a new service.
Another problem for me exploring these little shops is I have a pushchair and many of these spaces are not buggy friendly so I look at what I can see from the outside, make a presumption about the shops contents and either visit or not.
On a better note, I've been using my Brixton pounds. They have been great to use for gifts and food so visits to 20 Storey and Morleys have helped sort out my Christmas presents. I'm not sure how many people know you can use your note in Morleys as the staff had to check with supervisors both times that I went shopping which suggest the use of the Brixton pound doesn't happen to often (or I got christmas temps both times).
I also had food in the village using both my paper notes and pay by text. I haven't tried getting my more regular shopping with the pounds and I can't see a hairdressers I would use which takes the notes...any suggestions welcome.
So there we are. The frustrations remain the same. Next time, I'll talk a bit more about pricing.
Showing posts with label Brixton Market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brixton Market. Show all posts
Monday, 17 December 2012
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Five Brixton Film Shorts
Tis the season to be jolly....
so I thought I'd do a list of 5 film shorts (fact or fiction) about Brixton.
1. This short is created by Stockwell School and Digital Works and is about Brixton Market:
Stall Stories- a History of Brixton Market
2.A piece about the famous Stockwell Skate Park.
Fly Like a Bird
3. Brixton has the kind of landscape that's screaming to be animated so here it is:
Robots of Brixton
4. Back to the market, and here's a nice little short celebrating the people who work in the smallest shops in Brixton
Niche in the market - a short film about small shops
5. And finally Brixton has the most remaining murals created in the 1980s in the whole of London. This film talks to the artists and locals as they reflect on these pieces:
If Walls Could Speak - Brixton Murals
And as it's Christmas, I'll throw in this animation story by my sister about the threat of Nuclear War in the 1980s (featuring Brixton's famous Nuclear Dawn Mural!). Click the link!
Not the End of the World
Happy Watching!
so I thought I'd do a list of 5 film shorts (fact or fiction) about Brixton.
1. This short is created by Stockwell School and Digital Works and is about Brixton Market:
Stall Stories- a History of Brixton Market
2.A piece about the famous Stockwell Skate Park.
Fly Like a Bird
3. Brixton has the kind of landscape that's screaming to be animated so here it is:
Robots of Brixton
4. Back to the market, and here's a nice little short celebrating the people who work in the smallest shops in Brixton
Niche in the market - a short film about small shops
5. And finally Brixton has the most remaining murals created in the 1980s in the whole of London. This film talks to the artists and locals as they reflect on these pieces:
If Walls Could Speak - Brixton Murals
And as it's Christmas, I'll throw in this animation story by my sister about the threat of Nuclear War in the 1980s (featuring Brixton's famous Nuclear Dawn Mural!). Click the link!
Not the End of the World
Happy Watching!
Monday, 10 December 2012
Keeping it Local: Part 1.Where can I find the things that I need?
I've decided that for the month of December, I'm going to try and shop locally and not from high street chains. So no Tescos, Boots, Superdrug, Sainsburys, et al. I want to try and give my money back to my community and certainly not support the businesses who are willing to keep adding more supermarkets where they aren't wanted - yes Tesco, I'm talking to you!
So how's it been going? It's harder than I expected. There is no 'one hit' shopping experience. I suddenly have to develop a strategy of where to go for what items.And even when I'm finding them, I'm not always checking how much more I'm spending so I don't know how much extra going local is costing me!
One area I've had problems with is baby food and nappies. You get great deals with the high street chains so it's hard to find somewhere to get the choice and price. We have two chemists in central Brixton which aren't big chains. They don't have much baby stuff because Brixton has Boots, Superdrug, Mothercare and Tescos to supply that product at bargain prices. It would be hard for the little shops to compete and so they don't.
However, the price of the nappies from a local store were cheaper than from the high street though their turnover of these stock items in the local store must be slow as Pampers don't make nappies in these pack sizes anymore. I think that might have been a one off pot luck situation. I'll keep you posted.
And before anyone suggests the alternatives of reusable nappies and making my own food or baby led weaning, they have been considered. I don't have a washing machine so it begins to make reusables costly and time consuming. I do make my own baby food most of the time - the jars are for convenience!
Another problem had been finding an ordinary loaf of bread. Now bread isn't cheap anymore so I don't want to try all the different local packaged bread in the hope that I find something I like especially as I'm the only one eating it. I've had a pop at the posh bread from Wild Caper which was different but really a treat. I also eat lots of the pitta bread from Nour Cash and Carry. But what I'm looking is for is a bloomer - I can't go to Greggs as that is a chain so any suggestions are welcome.
And my last problem has been finding sausages. I use to be a veggie and am now a picky meat eater. I'm not that keen on the look of some of the meat I see in the market so asking another local they suggested Dombeys in Market Row which at the time I needed sausages didn't have any! So any other butchers in Brixton to recommend?
I've found this lovely film short about one of the local butchers though I won't be eating any of these items soon.
Another part of keeping it local is using the Brixton Pound. You can pick them up in the menswear department of Morleys. I exchanged some already and used the money in the toy department of the store. I will report back on my Brixton Pound shopping in my next instalment.
We are staying local folks but it's hard work!
So how's it been going? It's harder than I expected. There is no 'one hit' shopping experience. I suddenly have to develop a strategy of where to go for what items.And even when I'm finding them, I'm not always checking how much more I'm spending so I don't know how much extra going local is costing me!
One area I've had problems with is baby food and nappies. You get great deals with the high street chains so it's hard to find somewhere to get the choice and price. We have two chemists in central Brixton which aren't big chains. They don't have much baby stuff because Brixton has Boots, Superdrug, Mothercare and Tescos to supply that product at bargain prices. It would be hard for the little shops to compete and so they don't.
However, the price of the nappies from a local store were cheaper than from the high street though their turnover of these stock items in the local store must be slow as Pampers don't make nappies in these pack sizes anymore. I think that might have been a one off pot luck situation. I'll keep you posted.
And before anyone suggests the alternatives of reusable nappies and making my own food or baby led weaning, they have been considered. I don't have a washing machine so it begins to make reusables costly and time consuming. I do make my own baby food most of the time - the jars are for convenience!
Another problem had been finding an ordinary loaf of bread. Now bread isn't cheap anymore so I don't want to try all the different local packaged bread in the hope that I find something I like especially as I'm the only one eating it. I've had a pop at the posh bread from Wild Caper which was different but really a treat. I also eat lots of the pitta bread from Nour Cash and Carry. But what I'm looking is for is a bloomer - I can't go to Greggs as that is a chain so any suggestions are welcome.
And my last problem has been finding sausages. I use to be a veggie and am now a picky meat eater. I'm not that keen on the look of some of the meat I see in the market so asking another local they suggested Dombeys in Market Row which at the time I needed sausages didn't have any! So any other butchers in Brixton to recommend?
I've found this lovely film short about one of the local butchers though I won't be eating any of these items soon.
Another part of keeping it local is using the Brixton Pound. You can pick them up in the menswear department of Morleys. I exchanged some already and used the money in the toy department of the store. I will report back on my Brixton Pound shopping in my next instalment.
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Friday, 23 November 2012
Lambeth - What's on for the family - November 24th-25th 2012
Wow - end of the month already. Where has the time gone? Baby Boo-boo has just turned 9 months and I'm back to work in Jan! So lets get on and enjoy ourselves! What can we do this weekend?
SATURDAY (24th November)
In case you haven't noticed, Christmas is just around the corner and as a warm up, Brixton market has their Christmas Experience Market on Saturday from 10 am to 5pm on Station Road. This includes a big tree that needs decorating so bring the kids down with some decorations and lend a hand!
Buses through Brixton include P4, P5, 188, 196, 59, 159, 3, 133, 333, 45, 345, and 37. Alternatively you can catch the tube or the overground into the area.
A free walks for parents with buggy babies? Yes please if it doesn't get too cold. Check out a free history walk about Great Statesmen and Women. Meet at Westminster tube at 11:30am. Visit the website to book your place!
Buses to Westminster are the 88, 159 and 3.
Want a chance to explore the city? Then have a go at the Natural History Museum Treasure Hunt running on Saturday and Sunday. Visit up to twelve location where kids have to take a rubbing of a raised drawing which relates to a treasure at the new gallery at the museum. Each rubbing is an entry for a competition! The hunt is on between 10am to 4pm. Check out their website for instructions!
And a final reminder, it's the last week of the Charles Dickens' Exhibition at Southwark's little Cumming Museum, located on Walworth Road. The museum is open between 10am til 5pm.
To get to the museum, you can catch a 35 or 45 along the Walworth Road or go to Elephant and Castle on the 133, 155 or 415 and it's a short walk from there.
SUNDAY (25th November)
Are the family willing to brave the cold, then Sunday is Junior Dig the Park up at the Greenhouses at Brockwell Park. Help plant 60 tree in the park. The event runs between 10:30am to 12:30pm for ages 5 and older. Get out the thermals, hats, gloves, scarves and warm coats!
And then visit the Herne Hill Market afterwards for some well earned food - it stays open to 4pm. I can recommend the hot apple juice with ginger!
Buses into the area include 3, 196, 322, 68 and 37.
And finally, looking for a space indoors to explore? Then head to the Tate Britain in Pimlico (just across the river from Vauxhall!). Every weekend they run Liminal, an interactive experience with sculpture for families running between 11am to 3pm. Ask at the Information desk when you get there.
Buses to Pimlico include the 185, 436, 36, 2 and 88.
Good luck anyone who has a go at the treasure hunt! And happy weekending to the rest of you!
SATURDAY (24th November)
In case you haven't noticed, Christmas is just around the corner and as a warm up, Brixton market has their Christmas Experience Market on Saturday from 10 am to 5pm on Station Road. This includes a big tree that needs decorating so bring the kids down with some decorations and lend a hand!
Buses through Brixton include P4, P5, 188, 196, 59, 159, 3, 133, 333, 45, 345, and 37. Alternatively you can catch the tube or the overground into the area.
A free walks for parents with buggy babies? Yes please if it doesn't get too cold. Check out a free history walk about Great Statesmen and Women. Meet at Westminster tube at 11:30am. Visit the website to book your place!
Buses to Westminster are the 88, 159 and 3.
 |
| All this walking makes Boo-boo tired! |
And a final reminder, it's the last week of the Charles Dickens' Exhibition at Southwark's little Cumming Museum, located on Walworth Road. The museum is open between 10am til 5pm.
To get to the museum, you can catch a 35 or 45 along the Walworth Road or go to Elephant and Castle on the 133, 155 or 415 and it's a short walk from there.
SUNDAY (25th November)
Are the family willing to brave the cold, then Sunday is Junior Dig the Park up at the Greenhouses at Brockwell Park. Help plant 60 tree in the park. The event runs between 10:30am to 12:30pm for ages 5 and older. Get out the thermals, hats, gloves, scarves and warm coats!
And then visit the Herne Hill Market afterwards for some well earned food - it stays open to 4pm. I can recommend the hot apple juice with ginger!
Buses into the area include 3, 196, 322, 68 and 37.
And finally, looking for a space indoors to explore? Then head to the Tate Britain in Pimlico (just across the river from Vauxhall!). Every weekend they run Liminal, an interactive experience with sculpture for families running between 11am to 3pm. Ask at the Information desk when you get there.
Buses to Pimlico include the 185, 436, 36, 2 and 88.
Good luck anyone who has a go at the treasure hunt! And happy weekending to the rest of you!
Monday, 5 November 2012
Buying Second Hand for Kids- a Lambeth guide!
During pregnancy, you'll see lots of shocking figures about how much the first year of a baby's life will cost. Well we have good news for you. It doesn't need to be that much if you are happy with getting some items second hand.
So what are your options?
Ebay is your friend. Is there something you' have been recommended and you are happy to buy second hand? Then visit this website. One tip for shoppers is to always check postage costs or if something can be delivered by a post or courier (especially with large items). Otherwise it's a great way to get a good quality cot or piece of nursery furniture or anything else at a discounted price.
Another option is Gumtree. The only flaw with this option is you could travel quite far to find the goods aren't quite what they seem. So I would suggest you stay fairly local.
Don't want to spend the money? then try Freecycle. I managed to get a moses basket and stand for the little one.
There are a fair few charity shops in the Lambeth area and I have to say none of them are that amazing for baby and kids items but here is a list of ones to visit:
Brixton
Barnardos: 414 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 7AY
They use to have baskets with kids clothes which you could rummage through but seem to have stuck everything on a rail. Good for clothes but not much else.
Streatham
Kids clothes, toys and often pieces like car seats and Moses baskets.
Good for clothes and toys.
Give a Little: 71 Streatham Hill, London SW2 4TX
Has an organised children section with lots of baby and kids items. However it's in the basement which is no good for mums with buggies!
Clapham
West Norwood & Tulse Hill
RSPCA: 380 Norwood Road, Norwood, SE27 9AA
Geranium Charity Shop for the Blind (West Norwood): 356 Norwood Road, Norwood, SE27 9AA
Toys and baby clothes in a basket - a bit hit and miss! Good prices!
Emmaus: 9 Knight's Hill, West Norwood SE27 0HS
Several shops all around the same location. One part of the shop does bits of furniture - some good buys here!
Asides from these I would recommend checking out the FARA children charity shops. The nearest ones are at the following addresses:
Fara Kids: Balham, 15 Hildreth Street, SW12 9RQ
Fara Kids: Pimlico, 40 Tachbrook Street, SW1V 2JS
The Brockwell Lido car boot sale is also a recommend destination when it restarts in the summer. Plenty of bargains here!
And finally there are lots of nearly new sales in the area. The National Childcare Trust (NCT) are good at running them; check out Lambeth's local groups Riverside, Brixton, Dulwich and Streatham and Clapham
You will not want to buy everything second hand nor should you. Babies mattresses should always be new.
Asides from that, many other items can be found as good as new. Save your money for great days away with the little ones or for their university fees! Happy shopping!
So what are your options?
ONLINE SHOPPING
Ebay is your friend. Is there something you' have been recommended and you are happy to buy second hand? Then visit this website. One tip for shoppers is to always check postage costs or if something can be delivered by a post or courier (especially with large items). Otherwise it's a great way to get a good quality cot or piece of nursery furniture or anything else at a discounted price.
Another option is Gumtree. The only flaw with this option is you could travel quite far to find the goods aren't quite what they seem. So I would suggest you stay fairly local.
Don't want to spend the money? then try Freecycle. I managed to get a moses basket and stand for the little one.
CHARITY SHOPS
There are a fair few charity shops in the Lambeth area and I have to say none of them are that amazing for baby and kids items but here is a list of ones to visit:
Brixton
Barnardos: 414 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 7AY
They use to have baskets with kids clothes which you could rummage through but seem to have stuck everything on a rail. Good for clothes but not much else.
Streatham
Cancer Research UK: 65 Streatham High Rd,
SW16 1PH
British Heart Foundation: 75 Streatham High Rd,
SW16 1PH
Good for clothes and toys.
Give a Little: 71 Streatham Hill, London SW2 4TX
Has an organised children section with lots of baby and kids items. However it's in the basement which is no good for mums with buggies!
Clapham
Save The Children: 36 Clapham High Street, Clapham, SW4 7UR
Some good clothes and toys but often a little pricey.
Age Concern: 58 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UL
A small selection of clothes and toys.West Norwood & Tulse Hill
RSPCA: 380 Norwood Road, Norwood, SE27 9AA
A small corner of clothes and toys.
Geranium Charity Shop for the Blind (West Norwood): 356 Norwood Road, Norwood, SE27 9AA
Toys and baby clothes in a basket - a bit hit and miss! Good prices!
Geranium Charity Shop for the Blind (Tulse Hill): 178b Norwood Rd,
SE27 9AU
Toys, books and baby clothes in a basket - a bit hit and miss! Good prices!
Emmaus: 9 Knight's Hill, West Norwood SE27 0HS
Several shops all around the same location. One part of the shop does bits of furniture - some good buys here!
Asides from these I would recommend checking out the FARA children charity shops. The nearest ones are at the following addresses:
Fara Kids: Balham, 15 Hildreth Street, SW12 9RQ
OTHER OPTIONS
Another alternative is to visit the Brixton Flea market on the first Saturday of the month. Some of the stall holders do sell kids items.
The Brockwell Lido car boot sale is also a recommend destination when it restarts in the summer. Plenty of bargains here!
And finally there are lots of nearly new sales in the area. The National Childcare Trust (NCT) are good at running them; check out Lambeth's local groups Riverside, Brixton, Dulwich and Streatham and Clapham
You will not want to buy everything second hand nor should you. Babies mattresses should always be new.
Asides from that, many other items can be found as good as new. Save your money for great days away with the little ones or for their university fees! Happy shopping!
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