The People's Supermarket

[MollieO]

Anyone watching. Interested to see how he does competing with Tesco et al.

Just me then

No I'm watching. Think it seems a great idea. Would happily work there a couple of hours a month to be able to buy food at 40% less.

My friends use the Brooklyn co-op that Arthur visited, they say it's brilliant. I would love a Peoples Supermarket near here and working there 4hrs a month has to be better than my jobs at Tesco or Sainsbury!

I'm a member of this place! :)
Seeing how C4 have edited it is very interesting.
DH and I were members 25 and 26 on that first recruitment day.

Really hope the people aren't going to let Arthur down! He is trying so hard.

Just saw myself in the background! How funny!

tigerbear, interested to hear your take on this programme, and the backstory! Have taped it. DH snoring on the sofa, offputting, so will watch it tomorrow, with any luck.

God Tigerbear do you know the Beyond Vile woman in the red tee shirt? What a horrible woman.

met that arthur potts fella a few times - he is mike jaggers step nephew you know

he is vair vair posh

Interested to know how it's viewed in the local community now tigerbear. I love the concept but wonder if people have been too conditioned by the big supermarkets that they have lost sight of where their produce comes from.

Missmehalia - happy to answer any questions, but won't pretend to be an expert - tbh I've found out loads I didn't know by watching this! I hadn't known that Arthur did the fundraiser for instance.
Everyone involved is pretty much learning as they go along.

Biscuit - don't know red t-shirt woman!
I guess there'll always be people like her though, who are negative about everything.

That's very true Mollie, however a lot of the people who shop there or who are members go there because they are genuinely interested in where their food comes from and who are also looking for a nicer shopping experience. DH and I used to go to Sainsburys round the corner from it but it was always impersonal and stressful. Part of going to TPS is to meet others in the local community and see friendly faces. Going back to the ethical/sustainable aspect of helping smaller suppliers, the members have regular meetings with farmers and growers who explain exactly where the food comes from. We had the curly cucumber man come to see us one week!

Yes was hard to watch her criticizing the cheese selection when the poor guy had raised the money for the refit, slogged round the estate etc.
I hope it works I really do. I work just near Lambs Conduit St. so maybe I'll come and shop.

I know, wanted to cry for poor Arthur when I saw that bit. Oooh Biscuit please do pop in! We've just had our 6 month party to try to recruit new members and shoppers (we're not up to 500 yet :(). 500 is the absolute minimum needed to make the shop sustainable.

It WILL fail if more people don't get involved, and fast.
Arthur is pretty much as he comes across on TV - passionate, enthusiastic and positive, but even his charm and hard work won't keep this place running unless more people are using the store. It's an uphill struggle every day, and the store is currently losing money each month.

I will definitely come. Is it on Lambs Conduit St itself? Can I be a member if I work locally?

I am at the food wastage! I knew supermarkets threw away unsold food, but had no idea it was this bad.

Fab, Biscuit! Anyone can be a member - you don't have to live in the community. In fact since joining, DH and I have moved to Greenwich so we aren't officially
part of the community anymore. DH still works round there and he's doing a shift a week atm, as there just aren't enough members to cover the hours the store is open

Sorry, didn't answer your question - yes, it's directly on Lamb's Conduit Street, right opposite Great Ormond Street and next to Ciao Bella.

Jareth - I didn't know it was that bad either! Why don't the big supermarkets give it to homeless shelters??

What time does it close in the evening?

What time does it close in the evening?

red t shirt woman awful, but really interested in this. I'd join and do my 4 hours a month

Sorry didn't mean to post that twice. Cat decided to sleep between me and laptop and couldn't see what I was doing.

Am pretty busy (like everyone!) - full time job, family and part time MA, but could probably do couple of hours after work twice a month if that would be OK.

Yay! Let's join and make red tee shirt woman eat her words!

I really enjoyed this. Will be interested to see how it pans out