editor
hiraethified
I get the impression that most of them come in for the pizza and bugger off afterwards.
Who went to Rosie's book launch?
- Thread starter nick h.
- Start date
Ms T
Honey-coloured ramparts
I used to go to Boca a lot, but never bother with Rosie's for some reason. I'd rather go to A&C Continental (Brixton's best shop, imho) or the Portuguese butcher or even Wildcaper.
I think the problem with the covered market is poor management more than anything else. One of the fishmongers was going bonkers on Saturday because there they'd allowed someone to mess about with the electricity in his lock-up - meaning that the meter had tripped and he was in danger of losing hundreds of pounds worth of frozen stock.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Yes, it has been badly managed, I've heard stallholders say that. I do know the rents have risen enormously. It started around the time the pet supplies shop closed down because the rent was nearly doubled. That was quite a long time ago and rent rises have been the biggest gripe..
Jonti
what the dormouse said
Well, the landlord decided to put up rents and then discovered the new levels were unrealistic. They could, presumably, have kept a high level of occupancy by charging differential rents according to the type of business.
That seems sensible to me; the markets are attractive partly because they are so diverse. It would be smart for a management to recognise that, and manage the place accordingly.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
A lot of that is down the the huge increase in flats locally plus the effect of all those extra loos, dishwashers and washing machines and higher use of water generally according to a plumber I know.
story
Gone for a Burton
That's true, Mrs Magpie, but they've been bad for a good long while. Ten years ago I worked in the market. If it rained hard, it was certain we'd be baling out sewer water before the end of the day. It was a long established ritual.
One of the stallholders down there blames the butchers and fishmongers. Plenty of them shove their sweepings down the drains at the end of the day.
One of the stallholders down there blames the butchers and fishmongers. Plenty of them shove their sweepings down the drains at the end of the day.
story
Gone for a Burton
embrace the money coming in
But that's the problem, isn't it: many of these WMCYs don't spend their earnings here in Brixton. They largely work, shop and socialise outside Brixton.
it has to start somewhere, you could say this is just part of the process
I am dragging my lot down here at every opportunity ( though I am also a lazy mofo), though we often end up in Clapham after starting here. More people
I shop in Herne Hill/Brixton butchers/bakers most weekends. I dont sit in cafes/use delis though.
and yeh, I work in the City but thats not going to change anytime soon!
I am dragging my lot down here at every opportunity ( though I am also a lazy mofo), though we often end up in Clapham after starting here. More people
I shop in Herne Hill/Brixton butchers/bakers most weekends. I dont sit in cafes/use delis though.
and yeh, I work in the City but thats not going to change anytime soon!
Ms T
Honey-coloured ramparts
I was a WMCY once. What makes you think they don't spend their money here?
Exactly.
Are people who live in London not allowed enjoy a pizza - or a tapas, or a pub lunch or whatever they've heard is good, 'cause it's not exactly where they live themselves?
C'mon, get over it people.
On this forum?
Never!
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Well if you are comparing it to Boca, all I can say is, it isn't trying to be Boca. It's being a cafe with home made-cakes and so-on, which is different. The one thing I really miss is the wide selection of cheeses, but the Portuguese Deli is good and is trying to get something like Montgomery. I miss Boca's owner though, but that doesn't mean to say I don't like Rosie.
story
Gone for a Burton
I was a WMCY once. What makes you think they don't spend their money here?
I'm sure many do, Ms T. But I know that many do not. Or at least they don't spend money in the independent shops. They stick to Sainsbury and other Big Names. They have bought property in the area, often with the help of their parents, and they work uptown somewhere. They are often out of Brixton on the weekend too.
I know I'm speaking in generalisations, but it's hard not to. I'm basing this on what I have observed in my street, and overheard from those awful bloody terraces and flat roofs put up by property developers before the planning office cracked down on such things. I can hear them and see them, and I have come to certain conclusions. And they also have rubbish taste in music too.
In response to Pip's confusion about the topic of this thread.... Well, it seems to be both. Or perhaps the one presupposes the other?
story
Gone for a Burton
This thread makes me want to live in Brixton.
You don't know you're born
I love it here
story
Gone for a Burton
Good point.
editor
hiraethified
Their coffee is the best I've tasted in Brixton.
Ms T
Honey-coloured ramparts
They are expensive, but that is because they source everything very carefully and good olive oil is not cheap. I know for a fact that their margins are very small - a friend of mine supplies them with tea and their mark-up is tiny. She also said that, considering their size, they sell loads of it, and it is not a cheap product. Her tea is doing better in Brixton than in fancy schmancy places in Primrose Hill.
Ms T
Honey-coloured ramparts
I agree with this. I also think Rosie's done bloody well to build up that business, as well, so good for her. I know for a fact that Boca made very little money.
Ms T
Honey-coloured ramparts
The Saltoun Supper Club or whatever that overpriced shit that someone mentioned on here the other day (£25 'Donation' without wine- I wonder what the chap would say if you decided not to 'donate') also got a write up in todays Observer. Look out. Here comes Cla'am. Yccch.
See I really like the idea of the Saltoun Supper Club and I don't think it's overpriced at all. You're looking at £60 for two for four courses and a really nice bottle of wine (you can get something decent for a tenner). It sounded like the food was really good too. What universe do you live in where you can get a really good four-course meal with wine for £30 each?
It's called 'London'.
You'd have to pay me a LOT more than £25 to have dinner with the braying Claphamites who'll be queuing up for that joint.
Winot
I wholeheartedley agree with your viewpoint
The owner of Boca was really friendly and as a result we used to shop there a lot, but Rosie is a better business woman and clearly has better media connections.
Her cheese however is poor - not well kept for the price. I'd rather buy cheese at the Portuguese deli.
Wild Caper's produce is excellent but the service applalingly slow.
IMO the best deli in Brixton (and the best cheese by a country mile) is Spoon.
Ms T
Honey-coloured ramparts
I don't suppose you'll be able to get in anyway for quite a few weeks after that review, but I'd quite like to go. Good luck to him. He's indulging his passion. I'm pretty sure he's not doing it for the money.
