Woody's

Misscara

My neighbour told me that Woody's is turning into a Sainsbury's. Anyone else heard anything about this?

Ali

I guess if that happens CostCutter wil have to renamed “Squeezed”

Who is going to "nick" the sheep ?

krappyrubsnif

Drat. No more 24-7 shopping.

ADGS

There's always whatsit, Sunshine? down on Seven Sisters Road. Not as convenient, but still not as far as all that. Still, this does sound like a bad plan, if true.

graeme

Is it a franchise, or a proper Sainsburys? The Tesco (surely a franchise - it had the same floor riles as the previous shop) that replaced Londis on Seven Sisters is perhaps the grottiest and most poorly stocked 'supermarket' I've had the misfortune to visit.

It's a grumble-thon on here today!

Misscara

I once saw two mice crawling over the freshly baked goods in that tesco on SS rd. Another customer had seen them too. We told the assistant, who made a show of looking at the display then went back to whatever he was doing. When I asked him if he was going to remove the goods from display he said he couldn't do that as he hadn't seen them himself. I asked to speak to the manager and was told that he wasn't on duty and he was the supervisor and he 'knew there were no mice'. I pity the poor unsuspecting people who came in after me and bought bagels, or whatever, covered in mice wee.

krappyrubsnif

@Misscara - you should have reported them to the council. Nothing could provide more exquisite pleasure than seeing Tesco done under food hygeine laws.

poxy

On Saturday I saw a stray dog take a piss on the fresh produce outside two shops on SGR.

Ian

Please let this be true. Woody's closing and turning into a Sainsbury's would be absolutely brilliant. I hate Woody's. I have had so many bad experiences of terrible, rude service and poor quality produce that I now refuse to shop there.

The final straw was an argument when they had "wrongly priced" some cheese, I said that was their problem - they had to sell it to me at that price. They refused to. Eventually, after explaining the law and how they were wrong, I just gave in and paid their price only to find it was basically inedible when I got it home. The staff on the tills are unbearably rude and surly. I wonder sometimes why they work in a service industry.

Roll on Sainsbury's if true. I could even give them advice on how not to set up till shifts like Tesco's where there is 100% staff coverage from 10 until 3 and about 60% from 5 til 8...

David

Woody's isn't perfect but replacing all these shops with the big guns will erode the streets character. I say boo.

tosscat

It's 'invitation to treat' Ian, they were right.

tosscat

In the pricing/charging exercise anyway v

Amanda

Being new to this site, I hesitate to join in but I do feel strongly, both about the takeover by big chains and about the potential loss of a more distinctive shop. Where else around here (as opposed to Green Lanes) can you get such an array of yoghurt, yufka or olives? We will end up with absolutely no variety ... The process is probably inevitable but when I think of what Stroud Green Rd was like even 20 years ago, I am quite depressed.

David

I'm with you Amanda. The idea of Woody's being a Sainsbury's kind of kills the top of stroud green road, Woody's probably anchors it while tesco's and to a lesser extent costcutter and miso slowly erode that individuality in the middle before the wigs and meat take back over towards finsbury p.

Ian

@ tosscat - no they are not, the Consumer Protection Act (1987) makes it a criminal offence to give consumers a misleading price indication 'by any means whatever'.

The great thing about chain supermarkets is they give you good produce at reasonable prices, that is why they always beat independent retailers. I'm always baffled by the idea that what we want is more shops that are badly run with higher prices. If they were the opposite, we would go there all the time and they wouldn't get taken over.

dorothy

I too agree with Amanda, I'd miss the bread, olives, sticky honey sweets, feta, big bunches of parsley and the big beans in tins. I go to tescos a lot because its closer to me and for things woody's are not so good on. I think they compliment each other. I wonder why they're giving up (if they are at all). What was better 20 years ago though? My favourite restaurant used to be the Magical Busker, just past where the Larrik now is.

bennyfromtheblok

I'm in the pro-Woody's camp, not because I think Woody's is great, I just don't want another Sainsburys there. There is a decent sized Tesco at the end of the road and a huge Sainsburys a 5 minute drive away. Do we really need another "lite" supermarket? I don't think so.
Being half Spanish, I like that you can get all the Mediterranean beans, olives and other bits and bobs from Woody's - they also sell mega cheap wine perfect for Sangria. No doubt it could be a much better shop, but I'd be sad to see it go.

dion

A Sainsbury's that small would have a poor range - nowhere near as large as Tesco. The Sainsbury's local in the petrol station on Hornsey Rise recently closed and turned back into a normal petrol station shop which makes me think that they are not thinking about expanding in the area.

@ g-unit - Tesco doesn't do franchises so the Seven Sisters one will be fully owned by Tesco plc.

@ misscara - when did you see the mice?

andy

Woody's is bonkers and most of the time I hate it, but I think I'd prefer it to a Sainsbury's that only sells sandwiches and frozen pizza.

mapsa

Ian - I'm pretty sure Tosscat is right. It is only an invitation to treat under English law, they don't have to sell it to you at that price. You could report them to Trading Standards for breaching the CPA, but if it the wrong price was just a mistake, I can't imagine they would be interested.

wideboy

The "Local Superstore" on Seven sisters Road (was this what ADGS was referring to?) had a facelift recently and looks remarkably like Woodys now. Maybe they moved-ing.

And ditto krappyrubsnif @Misscara - you should report the mice for everyone's sake!

krappyrubsnif

I'm all for Woodys. I agree the checkout girls mostly seem miserable or downright rude, but my guess is that's a cultural thing and I can put up with it for the sake of the olives, nuts, bread and weird tins of beans. Sainsbury.....bleugh, no thanks, there are plenty of those around.

ADGS

Wideboy: No, though now you mention it there is that too (though did it not change its name again recently? I can't keep up, was certainly Bright something for a while). I meant the one next to Barclays, just opposite the entrance to the bus station, which goes back further and has a wider range of goods than I had long thought, having only ever used it for late night snack requirements.

Fin

Woodys is fine although pales in comparaison with the Turkish supermarkets on Green Lane. They could do a lot better and on balance I'd welcome a Sainsburys. That space was a different Turkish style supermarket barely 5 years ago and before that was a furniture shop so maybe it needs a chain in there to it settle down.

Most importantly however we should campaign for a blue plaque or something as Woodys was the supermatket used in several episodes of Peep Show....

krappyrubsnif

Andy - poll?

Ali

Was Magical Busker mentioned above the Polish Restaurant that used to all pine like a sauna inside as that was the days that Stapleton Hall Tavern (now Larrick), Marlers (now the Nobel) was the centre of action around here.
I also didn’t realise that there had been an in between Turkish shop on the site between the Furniture shop and Woodys ! Thought it was the same place with a change of names ? There used to be a big department store on that site on two stories according to a little old lady I once got talking to on SGR a few years back Maybe Busby might be able to comment. Woddys is on the corner of SGR and Hanley Road.

dorothy

@Ali, yes it was the sauna place, Jewish/Polish. I thought it was very sophisticated at the time. I'm glad someone else remembers it. I went into their kitchen once and was shown how to make Kugel (Noodle pudding).

SimonB

I hope SGR doesn't end up like the Crouch End High Street ... M&S, Budgens, Tecos and Waitrose all within 2 minutes walking distance ... (even though the Budgens is really good)

sg_mike

Would be good if we could have a co-op store there instead, I'm struggling to think where the nearest one is around here?

katiejane

Budgens really good. Really? I think it's diabolical.

I'm with Ian on this, bring on Sainsbury's. I hate Woodys.

And there's a co-op at Archway which is really crap.

Sorry to be so negative and all.

Ian

If Woody's was any good there would be people in it, but there never are.

crouchend tiger

I'd be sad to see Woody's go. It's a bit of a beacon when you're staggering home at the end of a night. I bet Saino's won't be able to help with my post-pub cashew habit.

j

Not trying to dampen enthusiasm for the debate but does anyone even know how definite this is, beyond a rumour?

andiebrown

I really hope this isnt true. I do most of my veg shopping in there because they have a good selection and its so much cheaper than Tesco. Also, its open all year round, 24-7. I hate the idea of a Sainsburys. I echo the sentiment of someone above with regards to Crouch End. I went there for the first time in ages, last week, and i felt a little depressed at the abundance of chain coffee shops etc (although i do actually think that Budgens is pretty good).

Also, as someone who uses Woodys practically every day, i am surprised to hear someone say it is always empty - its not when i go in there! Granted, there are times when i've been slightly disgruntled with some of the service but to be honest, i was appalled at the way some of the staff in Tesco spoke to customers today (myself inlcluded). I also think i'd prefer to visit every single one of Dante's circles of hell than go to Tesco after work... Please, don't let this be true... if i want to go to Sainsburys i can go to the Hades that is Sainsburys Green Lanes or even the one at Angel. No thanks.

David

There's a new Tesco's opened up along the tracks near the stadium in Drayon Park, which I'd say is a little bigger than Woody's but it does give an idea of how supermarkets struggle to keep a good range in smaller spaces. I stop off there on my cycles home sometimes and invariably they don't have what I was looking for.

I'm with the idea Woody's dovetails quite well with the Tesco's down the road. Sainsbury's would merely mirror Tesco's, but probably not that well as its a much smaller space.

andy

Co-ops are mostly rubbish. May as well stick with Woodys.

Papa L

My favourite Woody's moment. Going in there a few months after 24 hour licencing and trying to buy some booze only to be told I couldn't. The reason given: we're applying for a 24 hour licence. But I've always bought booze here late at night, I replied. Yeah, but we're getting a licence now, so we have to stop selling it while we apply, came the answer. Genius.

staplejack

coop on Caledonean Road. Get the 91 (if you must).

twinspark

@sg_mike There is a Co-op in Crouch End, small one next to YMCA at petrol station, used to be Somerfields otherwise Kentish Town road.

Co-ops with their dividend points are the best but thin on the ground in these parts - if I was PM I'd nationalise the supermarkets and make Co-op the stakeholder/managing partner [ actually ditto for the banks!]

I'd prefer Woody's to stay an independent store - I live nearby and use it for fruit and veg. and non-staple stuff. Goes without saying another chain outlet would be horrendous - esp. Sainsburys, original home of the mimsy and smug before M&S started to sell food.

Two or three points about indy stores;
Who created the expectation that they should sell everything from a sink-plug, to Buffalo Mozzarella, or a newspaper? Was it us I wonder?
Why do we have to get everything from one store in a smash and grab raid? [ much better to buy fresh food every 2 or 3 days instead of once a fortnight and buy ingredients not ready meals]

The quality of produce is down to the supplier as much - sometimes the produce available to the retaileer just isn't so good, lettuce is feeble or tomatoes small etc. As for the way it's kept? This problem applies equally to Tesco, Sainsburys etc. even with their acres of polythene bags as camouflage, as much as to Woodys and indy stores. Take time to choose rather than grab and rush home to find it's no good - you might even have to change your selection if you can't find the veg. or cheese in good condition but you'll probably get over it.

ADGS

"much better to buy fresh food every 2 or 3 days instead of once a fortnight and buy ingredients not ready meals"

Possibly, but who except TV chefs and the unemployed has the time? And the unemployed don't have the money (I speak from current experience).

Arkady

With care it's cheaper to cook than get ready meals. Courtesy of Woodies I made a vast beef and chorizo stew last night from which I anticipate getting about ten servings, judging by what was left after three people ate last night. The ingredients cost slightly over £12. A large tuppaware container of beefy goodness is now in the freezer.

It took an hour and a half from prep to plate, much of which was spent listening to it simmering while watching Inglorious Basterds, which I can also recommend.

B

twinspark

@ ADGS

When budget is tight and we've all been there then buying fresh every couple of days is the way to go,[ you can buy 1 potato, 2 carrots, 1 onion or even 2 sausages, 2 rashers, 2 eggs etc.]
It's worth making the time - it's not that long and you can always multi-task if you must - although

@ Arklady I was with you until you slipped the Tarantino thing - what an overindulged spoilt brat of a director he is!! a modicum of talent stretched way too far - it would have been much cheaper for Harvey Weinstein to adopt as son or two rather than cow-tow to QT's tantrums.

Ali

I agree make it yourself. Have a couple of hours of a cooking and freeze if you can. Works really well if you do a Floyd and have a few glasses of red wine while cooking ! I can make a Chilli, mince from Tony the Butchers a couple of onions, carrots and a bag of dried kidney beans ( not tinned as they are expensive, cook the dried ones in a pressure cooker!) approx £4 or so. Takes about 45 mins of effort and gets ten servings oh you will need rice as well.

5 pints of carrot soup, 6 carrots , two onions two stock cubes, water about ten mins prep, sweating the onions etc, 35 mins simmer, whiz add some orange juice and milk season, lunch for 5 days cost £1.20 ! Making soup is so easy

Arkady

It didn't think it wa a masterpeice - and it was very oddly paced - but it was good fun. Especially the scalpings.

B

krappyrubsnif

Hey - Stroud Green Org lunch club!

missisclack

It would be nice to establish if fact or fiction before I start to rage at the prospect of a Sainsbury's. Pleeeeeeease no.

It's all been said before, but Woody's is best for bread n olives n beans-in-tins n herbs. I buy at least one bunch of something from them every other day, their herbs are always the freshest on SGR.

The Fruit Basket (is that what it's called?) next to the post office and the flower shop used to be good for all this produce until they sold it on 4 years ago or so.

Also, thie girls on the tills in Woody's are usually quite nice to me Well, they sometimes pass a compliment on rings/gloves/hat/bag.

They did short change me for a fiver on a tenner once 'though. And they would always charge full price for 6 cans of whatever was on 6 for a fiver deal, until I'd point it out at the checkout. It was always a bit of a battle to only pay the fiver.

We should start a save Woddy's petition, the way that above mentionned Fruit Basket started one when there was talk of Tesco opening 24hrs!!

Ian

I always get my fruit and veg from the stall outside the tube. She's really nice and the stuff is cheap and good.

What would the point of a save Woody's petition be? "Please don't go bankrupt or continue running a low turnover business if you have a better offer". They are not in the business of social policy these shopkeepers you know. There is opportunity cost here - people might use an alternative store more.

Go and use the shop more than you would us a Sainsbury's. When there are 2 or 3 more tills, with queues at the tills like there are at Tesco's then I'll believe you all that Stroud Green residents love Woodies.

Once I've got a Sainsbury's on that site I can start putting energy into getting a Starbucks nextdoor :-)

rainbow_carnage

Woody's used to be good several years ago. They had a decent selection of cheap fresh veg. Now the veg looks manky. The tinned beans and things are no cheaper than at Tesco, and Tesco delivers.

We get most of the basics delivered either from Ocado or Tesco. Our veg comes from Abel and Cole, which is worth every penny. When the weather is better, we walk to Green Lanes. I have the time to buy fresh produce every couple of days, but I'm too lazy.

The only thing I'd miss about Woody's is that it's open 24/7. We went in at 10pm on Christmas Day.

I can't imagine that a Sainsbury's that size would be very different from a Tesco Metro, which we already have. I would like a large Sainsbury's nearby, but there's no space for it. We used to live in Camden back when the large Sainsbury's was open all night five or six days a week. It was brilliant.

Beek

Do you remember Woody's was called Yesim when it first opened? Far better name (and signage - whopping orange glowing letters) imho.

I love the staff in there - especially the guy who used to have a mullet, he's such a dish now he's had a haircut! And what happened to their mini shopping trolleys?

sg_mike

Wow, never realised there were so many co-ops around here. I guess they've never been able to crack the SG market though!

I liked the co-op when I was in Oxford, it had way better fresh food than the sainsburys nearby. But there again that was a few years ago now, I guess the smaller ones can be a bit ropey. The food at tescos always seems to go off far more quickly than at sainsburys or anywhere else.

I'll go the co-op in CE this weekend to buy a pint of milk, loaf of bread and a carrot and report back on its freshness. Unless I get distracted by the pub. Again.

SgEnquirer

@ Arkady
Your stew sounds lovely... can I have the recipe plzzzzz? Or should we just start a new Recipe thread??? :)

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