Refill/Fill Your Own Shops

[Pretty Boy]

Does anyone use these shops where you take your own containers and fill them yourself?

I've stopped buying fruit and veg from supermarkets. Firstly because the quality is often not great but secondly because I object to the amount of needless packaging still in evidence. I've also started to try to eat more seasonally because strawberries in November just don't come without a cost.

I could do more though and I've seen these shops popping up in a few places. It seems a no brainer to fill your own jars with pasta, rice and cereal and your own bottle with washing liquid and stuff.

Would be curious if anyone has had any experience. Positive or negative

[Keith_M]

Does anyone use these shops where you take your own containers and fill them yourself?

I've stopped buying fruit and veg from supermarkets. Firstly because the quality is often not great but secondly because I object to the amount of needless packaging still in evidence. I've also started to try to eat more seasonally because strawberries in November just don't come without a cost.

I could do more though and I've seen these shops popping up in a few places. It seems a no brainer to fill your own jars with pasta, rice and cereal and your own bottle with washing liquid and stuff.

Would be curious if anyone has had any experience. Positive or negative


Yeah, we go to Locavore in Victoria Rd in Glasgow,

The fruit and veg isn't all shiny and unnaturally coloured, unlike in Supermarkets, so it looks a bit strange at first but it's actually much healthier as it doesn't have as much chemicals

Some of the stuff can be a wee bit more expensive than mass produced goods but it's really not too bad.

Years ago, there used to be a similar shop in Broughton St (Real Foods), but I dunno if it's still there.

[Pretty Boy]

Yeah, we go to Locavore in Victoria Rd in Glasgow,

The fruit and veg isn't all shiny and unnaturally coloured, unlike in Supermarkets, so it looks a bit strange at first but it's actually much healthier as it doesn't have as much chemicals

Some of the stuff can be a wee bit more expensive than mass produced goods but it's really not too bad.

Years ago, there used to be a similar shop in Broughton St (Real Foods), but I dunno if it's still there.

It is. I go there quite often as it's near my work.

I went back to work one lunchtime and one of the young lads in our warehouse was genuinely disgusted that the potatoes I bought had dirt on them.

I see there is a Locavore in Edinburgh, albeit a bit close to Gorgie for my liking, but it looks good.

[Hibbyradge]

The ASDA nearest me has a large fill your own section. Presumably, that'll happen in most, if not all, of their branches, eventually.

[Stairway 2 7]

It is. I go there quite often as it's near my work.

I went back to work one lunchtime and one of the young lads in our warehouse was genuinely disgusted that the potatoes I bought had dirt on them.

I see there is a Locavore in Edinburgh, albeit a bit close to Gorgie for my liking, but it looks good.

Went passed that the other day. Looks massive, in the old marlins dalry. Hope they do well. Their is a similar place on leith walk. This is all old hat to anyone that can remember scoops in the kirkgate centre

[Kato]

If they switched responsibility onto the manufacturer to recycle packaging loose veg/fruit would be the norm. I want to buy scran not half a hundred weight of plastic every month.

Sent from my SM-A405FN using Tapatalk

[Peevemor]

We're in a rural area and subscribe to a collective for our fruit & veg.

Basically we pay a set amount per month and once a week take a bag or a box to go and collect fresh, seasonal fruit & veg grown by 2-3 local "bio" producers.

You don't pick what you want - you take what you get, with each customer's stuff sorted/prepared in crates which you then empty into your own bag. Once every 2 or 3 months you're expected to go to help organise the produce.

As well as forcing us to eat what's in season, we also eat & try different things that we wouldn't normally buy (or even be able to).

Apart from that there are quite a few different shops & supermarkets who do the bring your own packaging thing.

There's also a good movement here toward "short circuit" distribution, ie. keeping all farm produce very local (including meat & dairy), going from production to sale in as small a radius as possible. Where I am we can do most stuff in less than 10-15 miles, often a lot less.

The less packaging & transport we can get away with the better.

[Moulin Yarns]

Here in pitlochry there is Handam Refill Station, one in Aberfeldy too, lots of dry goods like flour and rice. Highland soap company refill shampoo, body wash and conditioner.

[stu in nottingham]

These initiatives have to be a great idea, it's part of the way forward.

As an aside, we have an Aldi a half mile down the road. A half mile up the road is a long established farm. The Aldi store buys many seasonable vegetables from the local farm. Nice to know that you're buying produce grown in local soil (which is top class btw).

[Scouse Hibee]

The one in Corstorphine called The Refillery is reported to be pretty decent.

[Crunchie]

It is. I go there quite often as it's near my work.

I went back to work one lunchtime and one of the young lads in our warehouse was genuinely disgusted that the potatoes I bought had dirt on them.

I see there is a Locavore in Edinburgh, albeit a bit close to Gorgie for my liking, but it looks good.
Almost everyone can grow their own potatoes in buckets, bags or containers, and they're way nicer than from the shops. And get this, grow them in compost they don't even come out dirty :greengrin

[speedy_gonzales]

The one in Corstorphine called The Refillery is reported to be pretty decent.

Have used it a couple of times. There's definitely an initial period of having to "get your head around it" as you scoop your cornflakes, fill an empty (used) jar for spices and decant cleaning products from a large receptacle in to your smaller one. The staff are very good and helpful with newbies and after a few visits it becomes natural (just as natural as raking the bins looking for your hands soap dispenser that you accidentally threw out the night before🙄).
Cost wise, I'm not convinced it's any cheaper or initially convenient, but you soon get in to the swing of things and becomes normal. Just as normal as grabbing a few reusable bags for life rather than using reams of single use plastic bags for your big shop.

Re shopping, I've been using East Coast Organics for my veg. Not so much for the organic side of things but for the food miles. Weekly or fortnightly deliveries, seasonal produce and you don't know exactly what you're getting so can encourage you to think/cook a little different each week.

Stealing the tag line from Tesco's, every little helps!

[MartinfaePorty]

Here in pitlochry there is Handam Refill Station, one in Aberfeldy too, lots of dry goods like flour and rice. Highland soap company refill shampoo, body wash and conditioner.

During lockdown I started thinking about potential business ideas and opening a refill shop was one of them. Seeing the one in Pitlochry made me even more interested. However, it was only a plan alongside some others and was pretty much torpedoed when such a shop opened literally 1 minute from my front door! Haven't been in yet, but I really need to give them a try.

[hibsbollah]

The one in Corstorphine called The Refillery is reported to be pretty decent.

There’s also a The Refillery at the bottom of the Southside, on Newington Road. Add in some very decent butchers on Causewayside next to the city farm shop next door you can get pretty much everything you need in that part of town.

[Rumble de Thump]

Weigh To Go on Leith Walk is decent. Good quality produce, some of which seems cheaper than elsewhere.

[Moulin Yarns]

During lockdown I started thinking about potential business ideas and opening a refill shop was one of them. Seeing the one in Pitlochry made me even more interested. However, it was only a plan alongside some others and was pretty much torpedoed when such a shop opened literally 1 minute from my front door! Haven't been in yet, but I really need to give them a try.

The girls who run Handam Refill Station are Polish and before covid happened had a stall at farmers markets, now they have 2 shops, still do markets, and run the weekly Neighbourfood market online.

[Itsnoteasy]

The one in Corstorphine called The Refillery is reported to be pretty decent.

Expensive.

Sell Tony's bars of chocolate @ £4.50.
Only £3.50 in Sainsburys.
That's just one product.
No way can they buy in bulk & get the discounts that the big boys receive.

[hibsbollah]

Expensive.

Sell Tony's bars of chocolate @ £4.50.
Only £3.50 in Sainsburys.
That's just one product.
No way can they buy in bulk & get the discounts that the big boys receive.

I think paying more per item is inevitable if you want to shop ethically. But theres also less waste which saves money, certainly youre more likely to buy exactly what you need from places like the refillery or from fruit wrapped in plastic, our household chucks out a shameful amount of food that goes off when we buy from the supermarket.

[Moulin Yarns]

I think paying more per item is inevitable if you want to shop ethically. But theres also less waste which saves money, certainly youre more likely to buy exactly what you need from places like the refillery or from fruit wrapped in plastic, our household chucks out a shameful amount of food that goes off when we buy from the supermarket.

I refilled my shampoo at Highland Soap Company in Pitlochry yesterday, £2.50

£9.25 for a new bottle. https://www.highlandsoaps.com/collections/hair-care

[Keith_M]

It is. I go there quite often as it's near my work.

I went back to work one lunchtime and one of the young lads in our warehouse was genuinely disgusted that the potatoes I bought had dirt on them.

I see there is a Locavore in Edinburgh, albeit a bit close to Gorgie for my liking, but it looks good.


:aok:

[Allant1981]

Here in pitlochry there is Handam Refill Station, one in Aberfeldy too, lots of dry goods like flour and rice. Highland soap company refill shampoo, body wash and conditioner.

Totally away from what the thread is about and apologies but have you ever been in the small restaurant checheks in aberfeldy, one of the weirdest eating experiences ive ever had but food was really good

[Pretty Boy]

I refilled my shampoo at Highland Soap Company in Pitlochry yesterday, £2.50

£9.25 for a new bottle. https://www.highlandsoaps.com/collections/hair-care

I get the 5 litre tubs of Scottish Fine Soaps soap and shampoo from my work at cost price and the saving is amazing. The initial outlay is a bit more and we bought a couple of fancy bottles to decant it into but over a month, year or decade it's a huge saving.

I never even realised these refill places did that. I've been doing it for years and it's another thing that just seems like common sense when you really think about it.

[Moulin Yarns]

Totally away from what the thread is about and apologies but have you ever been in the small restaurant checheks in aberfeldy, one of the weirdest eating experiences ive ever had but food was really good

I'm afraid not, the only time I eat out is when we are away from home on holiday or short break.

[Mantis Toboggan]

Weigh To Go on Leith Walk is decent. Good quality produce, some of which seems cheaper than elsewhere.

Second this, their eggs are particularly good, come from Penicuik I believe.

[Antifa Hibs]

Does anyone use these shops where you take your own containers and fill them yourself?

I've stopped buying fruit and veg from supermarkets. Firstly because the quality is often not great but secondly because I object to the amount of needless packaging still in evidence. I've also started to try to eat more seasonally because strawberries in November just don't come without a cost.

I could do more though and I've seen these shops popping up in a few places. It seems a no brainer to fill your own jars with pasta, rice and cereal and your own bottle with washing liquid and stuff.

Would be curious if anyone has had any experience. Positive or negative

Sainsbury's cracks me up every time I nip in for a top-up shop. "We have removed single use fruit and vegetable bags to help the environment" then walk up and down the fruit n veg aisle and 95% of the product range is in a plastic tub then wrapped in plastic!


Never been to a refill shop but might try the new Dalry Road one when it opens. Massively cut down on plastic but still buying personal and household cleaning products in plastic. A refill shop that did shampoo, conditioner, fairy liquid, glass and bathroom cleaner would be ideal. Still have a massive amount of soft plastics going into the landfill too such as crisp packets, wrappers, bread bags etc. Need to try and cut them out for the planet and health reasons.

Alot of larger brands have shifted from plastic to cardboard boxes (rich, porridge, pasta) which is good to see. Plastic rings for beer cans seem to be well on the way of being phased out too. Crazy it took so long though.

[Moulin Yarns]

Sainsbury's cracks me up every time I nip in for a top-up shop. "We have removed single use fruit and vegetable bags to help the environment" then walk up and down the fruit n veg aisle and 95% of the product range is in a plastic tub then wrapped in plastic!


Never been to a refill shop but might try the new Dalry Road one when it opens. Massively cut down on plastic but still buying personal and household cleaning products in plastic. A refill shop that did shampoo, conditioner, fairy liquid, glass and bathroom cleaner would be ideal. Still have a massive amount of soft plastics going into the landfill too such as crisp packets, wrappers, bread bags etc. Need to try and cut them out for the planet and health reasons.

Alot of larger brands have shifted from plastic to cardboard boxes (rich, porridge, pasta) which is good to see. Plastic rings for beer cans seem to be well on the way of being phased out too. Crazy it took so long though.

Don't know how widespread it is but my local co-op will take crisp packets and the like for recycling.

[Peevemor]

Don't know how widespread it is but my local co-op will take crisp packets and the like for recycling.As I'm sure you'll know, the problem is that we (globally) can't process all the plastic being handed back for recycling.

We need to get into the habit of not using it in the 1st place.

[JimBHibees]

We're in a rural area and subscribe to a collective for our fruit & veg.

Basically we pay a set amount per month and once a week take a bag or a box to go and collect fresh, seasonal fruit & veg grown by 2-3 local "bio" producers.

You don't pick what you want - you take what you get, with each customer's stuff sorted/prepared in crates which you then empty into your own bag. Once every 2 or 3 months you're expected to go to help organise the produce.

As well as forcing us to eat what's in season, we also eat & try different things that we wouldn't normally buy (or even be able to).

Apart from that there are quite a few different shops & supermarkets who do the bring your own packaging thing.

There's also a good movement here toward "short circuit" distribution, ie. keeping all farm produce very local (including meat & dairy), going from production to sale in as small a radius as possible. Where I am we can do most stuff in less than 10-15 miles, often a lot less.

The less packaging & transport we can get away with the better.

That sounds brilliant

[Pretty Boy]

As I said in my OP I started buying fruit and veg locally a while back (Root Down in Portobello for anyone interested, great wee shop).

This week I bought meat at the local butchers, fish at the local fishmongers, bread from a local bakers and went to the refill place on Leith Walk for a few bits and bobs after seeing it mentioned on here.

I've totalled everything up and it only worked out at £8.20 more expensive than the supermarket. 3 things. Firstly I know I am fortunate that I can afford an extra £8.20 a week, for those on a really tight budget that's harder to justify. Secondly the quality was notably better across the board. Finally I get a 10% discount in Asda because my partner works there, take that into account and the different in price was actually quite a bit less than the previously mentioned £8.20.

I was always concerned about switching away from supermarkets because I though the cost may be prohibitive but I'm not sure it is. I was also worried about the additional time taken but again it probably took about half an hour longer than the supermarket. I only really do a full shop once a fortnight as I batch cook and freeze loads of meals, prep and freeze some veg and herbs and stuff so it's really not that big a deal. It was also nice to feel like someone was serving you rather than the in your face automation that is supermarkets now.

I wouldn't ever say I'll never use a supermarket again but I'm a convert to local for now.

[Antifa Hibs]

Don't know how widespread it is but my local co-op will take crisp packets and the like for recycling.


As I'm sure you'll know, the problem is that we (globally) can't process all the plastic being handed back for recycling.

We need to get into the habit of not using it in the 1st place.

Yeah I could be wrong but i'm sure crisp packets and other laminate style plastics just get incinerated. Great that energy can be taken from it but not sure how environmentally friendly it is.


As I said in my OP I started buying fruit and veg locally a while back (Root Down in Portobello for anyone interested, great wee shop).

This week I bought meat at the local butchers, fish at the local fishmongers, bread from a local bakers and went to the refill place on Leith Walk for a few bits and bobs after seeing it mentioned on here.

I've totalled everything up and it only worked out at £8.20 more expensive than the supermarket. 3 things. Firstly I know I am fortunate that I can afford an extra £8.20 a week, for those on a really tight budget that's harder to justify. Secondly the quality was notably better across the board. Finally I get a 10% discount in Asda because my partner works there, take that into account and the different in price was actually quite a bit less than the previously mentioned £8.20.

I was always concerned about switching away from supermarkets because I though the cost may be prohibitive but I'm not sure it is. I was also worried about the additional time taken but again it probably took about half an hour longer than the supermarket. I only really do a full shop once a fortnight as I batch cook and freeze loads of meals, prep and freeze some veg and herbs and stuff so it's really not that big a deal. It was also nice to feel like someone was serving you rather than the in your face automation that is supermarkets now.

I wouldn't ever say I'll never use a supermarket again but I'm a convert to local for now.

Wait until you go vegan from Vegunary 2022. You'll save even more time and money :wink::greengrin

Times the biggest factor for me. I'm 20 minutes by bus to the nearest high-street/village by-passing about 3 supermarkets on the way. Locally i'll be like alot of people, kebab shop, news agent, chinese and offy and not much else.

I'll try out Locavore veg box when the Dalry Road shop opens up.


PS Lidl also do a fruit/veg box. It's at the front near the tils. £1.50 so great for students or soups etc. Think it must be the stuff approaching best before date but great value.

[Keith_M]

When I was a kid, my Gran used to send me to the shop (usually the local Co-Op) and I'd take her shopping bag (so no single use carrier bags) and very little of the food was wrapped in plastic.

The Co-op used to deliver milk to our doors in glass bottles that would be cleaned and re-used. They even delivered the Milk in an Electric powered truck.

There was a shop in our village that had freshly baked rolls delivered every morning, and another one that actually baked their own. Most of the shops were owned by individuals who either lived in the village or lived nearby, so you could actually chat to them like real people.


Then the very first Asda opened in Edinburgh,


They put on a free bus to entice people from outlying areas, sold everything wrapped in plastic and made the first steps toward removing the human side of the experience (now compounded by the automated checkouts)

Those that didn't take the free bus were still enticed by the prices that a massive chain like Asda could offer and drove instead, thereby increasing the amount of pollution in the air. Asda used a loss leader of cheap petrol as another enticement, meaning local petrol stations couldn't compete and many had to shut.


Eventually, the local Co-op shut down, as did many of the individual shops, to be replaced by things like the two Chinese Takeaways (both parts of a chain) with the usual level of plastic takeaway bags... the compulsory Asian owned, and chain branded (Day-Today) 'grocers' that sells no fresh items and copies the plastic consumption level of Asda.... plus the usual nail bars and 'beauty' salons.



Oh how we've progressed!

[Moulin Yarns]

When I was a kid, my Gran used to send me to the shop (usually the local Co-Op) and I'd take her shopping bag (so no single use carrier bags) and very little of the food was wrapped in plastic.

The Co-op used to deliver milk to our doors in glass bottles that would be cleaned and re-used. They even delivered the Milk in an Electric powered truck.

There was a shop in our village that had freshly baked rolls delivered every morning, and another one that actually baked their own. Most of the shops were owned by individuals who either lived in the village or lived nearby, so you could actually chat to them like real people.


Then the very first Asda opened in Edinburgh,


They put on a free bus to entice people from outlying areas, sold everything wrapped in plastic and made the first steps toward removing the human side of the experience (now compounded by the automated checkouts)

Those that didn't take the free bus were still enticed by the prices that a massive chain like Asda could offer and drove instead, thereby increasing the amount of pollution in the air. Asda used a loss leader of cheap petrol as another enticement, meaning local petrol stations couldn't compete and many had to shut.


Eventually, the local Co-op shut down, as did many of the individual shops, to be replaced by things like the two Chinese Takeaways (both parts of a chain) with the usual level of plastic takeaway bags... the compulsory Asian owned, and chain branded (Day-Today) 'grocers' that sells no fresh items and copies the plastic consumption level of Asda.... plus the usual nail bars and 'beauty' salons.



Oh how we've progressed!

I think everyone of a certain vintage will recognise that.

One correction, asda began in Yorkshire in the 1940s.

[speedy_gonzales]

When I was a kid, my Gran used to send me to the shop (usually the local Co-Op) and I'd take her shopping bag (so no single use carrier bags) and very little of the food was wrapped in plastic.

The Co-op used to deliver milk to our doors in glass bottles that would be cleaned and re-used. They even delivered the Milk in an Electric powered truck.

There was a shop in our village that had freshly baked rolls delivered every morning, and another one that actually baked their own. Most of the shops were owned by individuals who either lived in the village or lived nearby, so you could actually chat to them like real people.


Then the very first Asda opened in Edinburgh,


They put on a free bus to entice people from outlying areas, sold everything wrapped in plastic and made the first steps toward removing the human side of the experience (now compounded by the automated checkouts)

Those that didn't take the free bus were still enticed by the prices that a massive chain like Asda could offer and drove instead, thereby increasing the amount of pollution in the air. Asda used a loss leader of cheap petrol as another enticement, meaning local petrol stations couldn't compete and many had to shut.


Eventually, the local Co-op shut down, as did many of the individual shops, to be replaced by things like the two Chinese Takeaways (both parts of a chain) with the usual level of plastic takeaway bags... the compulsory Asian owned, and chain branded (Day-Today) 'grocers' that sells no fresh items and copies the plastic consumption level of Asda.... plus the usual nail bars and 'beauty' salons.



Oh how we've progressed!

I completely forgot about the free Tesco bus that came to Colinton Mains on a Wednesday taking shoppers to their store at Dumbryden.
Rebellious and ahead of my time, I used to jump on it just to go to the WHEC for a summer holiday swim,,,, for free.
Fanks Mr T!

[McD]

I think everyone of a certain vintage will recognise that.

One correction, asda began in Yorkshire in the 1940s.


i think Keith was meaning it was Edinburgh’s first Asda, although could be interpreted either way 😊

[Keith_M]

I think everyone of a certain vintage will recognise that.

One correction, asda began in Yorkshire in the 1940s.


I meant the first Edinburgh Asda (we're now on the 2nd), but you're right, it is misleading the way I wrote it.



:greengrin



i think Keith was meaning it was Edinburgh’s first Asda, although could be interpreted either way ��


:agree:

[Smartie]

Where was the first ASDA in Edinburgh?

All the ones that I can think of have been built relatively recently.

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

Where was the first ASDA in Edinburgh?

All the ones that I can think of have been built relatively recently.

The Jewel?

[hibsbollah]

When I was a kid, my Gran used to send me to the shop (usually the local Co-Op) and I'd take her shopping bag (so no single use carrier bags) and very little of the food was wrapped in plastic.

The Co-op used to deliver milk to our doors in glass bottles that would be cleaned and re-used. They even delivered the Milk in an Electric powered truck.

There was a shop in our village that had freshly baked rolls delivered every morning, and another one that actually baked their own. Most of the shops were owned by individuals who either lived in the village or lived nearby, so you could actually chat to them like real people.


Then the very first Asda opened in Edinburgh,


They put on a free bus to entice people from outlying areas, sold everything wrapped in plastic and made the first steps toward removing the human side of the experience (now compounded by the automated checkouts)

Those that didn't take the free bus were still enticed by the prices that a massive chain like Asda could offer and drove instead, thereby increasing the amount of pollution in the air. Asda used a loss leader of cheap petrol as another enticement, meaning local petrol stations couldn't compete and many had to shut.


Eventually, the local Co-op shut down, as did many of the individual shops, to be replaced by things like the two Chinese Takeaways (both parts of a chain) with the usual level of plastic takeaway bags... the compulsory Asian owned, and chain branded (Day-Today) 'grocers' that sells no fresh items and copies the plastic consumption level of Asda.... plus the usual nail bars and 'beauty' salons.



Oh how we've progressed!

:agree: Nice post. I’m not sure I remember all of that but I definitely recognize the general experience you’re describing. Edinburgh of the 1970s certainly seems a completely different world from now.

[Moulin Yarns]

When I was a kid, my Gran used to send me to the shop (usually the local Co-Op) and I'd take her shopping bag (so no single use carrier bags) and very little of the food was wrapped in plastic.

The Co-op used to deliver milk to our doors in glass bottles that would be cleaned and re-used. They even delivered the Milk in an Electric powered truck.

There was a shop in our village that had freshly baked rolls delivered every morning, and another one that actually baked their own. Most of the shops were owned by individuals who either lived in the village or lived nearby, so you could actually chat to them like real people.


Then the very first Asda opened in Edinburgh,


They put on a free bus to entice people from outlying areas, sold everything wrapped in plastic and made the first steps toward removing the human side of the experience (now compounded by the automated checkouts)

Those that didn't take the free bus were still enticed by the prices that a massive chain like Asda could offer and drove instead, thereby increasing the amount of pollution in the air. Asda used a loss leader of cheap petrol as another enticement, meaning local petrol stations couldn't compete and many had to shut.


Eventually, the local Co-op shut down, as did many of the individual shops, to be replaced by things like the two Chinese Takeaways (both parts of a chain) with the usual level of plastic takeaway bags... the compulsory Asian owned, and chain branded (Day-Today) 'grocers' that sells no fresh items and copies the plastic consumption level of Asda.... plus the usual nail bars and 'beauty' salons.



Oh how we've progressed!

Also on the co-op milk delivery, 1960s edinburgh St cuthbert cooperative dairy delivered milk by horse and cart.

An aside, I was out for coffee with my other half on Monday and someone at a nearby table asked for milk and it came in a glass bottle with a straw, took me back to Stockbridge primary.

[Keith_M]

:agree: Nice post. I’m not sure I remember all of that but I definitely recognize the general experience you’re describing. Edinburgh of the 1970s certainly seems a completely different world from now.


Obviously it makes a big difference where you were brought up (and when) and I'm from a wee village near Musselburgh.

I'm not claiming it was idyllic or anything like that but it makes me quite sad how things have actually got so much worse.





Where was the first ASDA in Edinburgh?

All the ones that I can think of have been built relatively recently.


The one at the Jewel was moved from it's original location a few hundred yards away when they decided to build the new A1 from the Roundabout on Milton Road. It was basically on the part of the A1 straight off the roundabout.

Roughly HERE (https://www.google.com/maps/place/55%C2%B056'38.0%22N+3%C2%B006'08.3%22W/@55.943904,-3.1044877,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d55.94390 1!4d-3.1022989)

[Itsnoteasy]

Where was the first ASDA in Edinburgh?

All the ones that I can think of have been built relatively recently.

Hutchison Road was the other one.

[Antifa Hibs]

The Refillery have opened up a new shop in Waverley Mall. Nice and central location. :aok:

[Keith_M]

The Refillery have opened up a new shop in Waverley Mall. Nice and central location.



Cheers, I'll need to pay it a visit next time I'm through.

:aok:

[He's here!]

There’s also a The Refillery at the bottom of the Southside, on Newington Road. Add in some very decent butchers on Causewayside next to the city farm shop next door you can get pretty much everything you need in that part of town.

Yep, decent part of town if you want to try and shop local. When I worked nights I did my best to go from shop to shop rather than head to the supermarket. You need to have the time to do so though.

Used to stay near Bruntsfield and there was a good butcher called Christie's run by two brothers. Old school and resolutely 'cash only' which caused some consternation among the cafe brigade expecting something a bit more 'artisan'. Don't ask them if they sell vegetarian haggis. Also a good fishmonger nearby plus an organic greengrocer. There's also a shop called Easter Greens (original shop is in Easter Road) on Morningside Road which does organic refills for cleaning/bathroom products as well as a cereals etc.

Like someone else earlier in the thread we use East Coast Organics for veg delivery. Kind of forces you into cooking more than you might otherwise do.

I'd love to see a return to the days of pre-supermarket local community shopping. It was clearly something that previously worked due to the conventional husband at work, wife at home and able to get 'the messages' set-up, but who knows, post-covid and with the 9-5 working pattern far from the norm these days it might steadily creep back in.

[Antifa Hibs]

Locavore on Dalry Road now open

https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/locavore-opens-organic-and-ethical-edinburgh-supermarket-with-a-kombucha-vending-machine-and-peanut-butter-maker-3523356

[heretoday]

These shops are the future hopefully. If school pupils could be taught to use them and turn their purchases into nourishing and affordable meals, that would be nice too.
I'll not hold my breath.

[hibsbollah]

I was doing a salad tonight so popped along to Sainsbury’s. I picked up a bag of radishes, tiny bag wrapped in plastic, maybe a dozen tiny radishes for 35p. I looked at the label, it was flown in from Senegal. :rolleyes: Just couldn’t face buying them. It’s just one of these things that have become so normalised when you think about it is totally, totally mad. Climate issues in the main but on all sorts of levels it makes no sense at all.

[Pretty Boy]

I was listening to a podcast the other night and one of the guests was a dairy farmer in Dumfries & Galloway who has adopted an ethical farming method.

One of the first things he stopped was separating calves from their mothers. His farm was open to visitors and it was the one thing he said the majority of people found difficult so he stopped it. The calves, male or female, now remain with their mothers for a prolonged period. The trade off is of course that he 'loses' about 27% of his milk to the feeding infant. I can't remember the exact detail and I don't have the episode to hand to check but he did say that the new method created a situation in which he could increase capacity by about 19% so the net loss was a more manageable 8%.

The second thing he did, and it's a topical story having featured on the news yesterday, is cease antibiotic use as standard. He worked with various scientists and instead introduced friendly bacteria into his water troughs. He said the change was noticeable almost right away as the water remained clearer for about a week longer than previously and several bacterial infections that had circulated despite widespread antibiotic use were removed from his farm. The other unexpected bonus was viral pneumonia was also largely eliminated as the cows immune system was boosted by the lack of bacterial infections present.

There were a few other steps he took and he said he was essentially a figure of fun among some of his peers when he announced his plans. Many took great delight when he made a substantial loss in the first 3 years of his new operation. By year 4 he broke even and now a decade on he is in profit and at a level not totally incomparable to where he was before. At least some of the shortfall was made up through the sale of ethically reared rose veal.

Any slowing of climate change will ultimately be consumer led but we need to reach a point where consumers have that choice. We can't turn the clock back and have everyone happily eating seasonally again. I try to, largely because root veg is more enjoyable in the winter and strawberries are nicer in the summer. What we can do though is provide incentives for more farmers and other producers to both innovate and follow a more ethical model. Neither pumping cows full of antibiotics or flying in radishes from Senegal was ever sustainable and it's even less so now. We have to make it easier and viable to find solutions.