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Whole Food Markets - Eneida (7th Jun 2007 - 08:34:11) How about having one of these on the OSU site?? They've just opened a store in London and want to open about 40 more in the UK and are asking for suggestions on possible locations. wholefoodsmarket.com Eneida

Re: Whole Food Markets - Chris (7th Jun 2007 - 18:53:39) It's possibly better than yet another retirement village which is still being mooted (according to a report I read in the Herald), but only just. Realistically, do we locals have a say? It seems to me that we only ever have the opportunity to object to any proposed plans drawn up by landowners and rich opportunists and do not have the opportunity to collectively vote on or influence how brown field sites are used.

Re: Whole Food Markets - Rhys G (7th Jun 2007 - 19:23:36) Good idea, it'll give the big S a run for its money, and transform that derelict land.

Re: Whole Food Markets - gen (7th Jun 2007 - 22:37:38) What a wonderful idea - are you going to drop them a line? Or email them?

Re: Whole Food Markets - Eneida (8th Jun 2007 - 09:48:31) Gen, I wouldn't dare write to them about Liphook without clearance from above.....just imagine if El Generalisima disliked the idea...I'd probably be hung drawn and quartered outside the big 'S'!!!!! Only joking folks ;) Eneida

Re: Whole Food Markets - gen (8th Jun 2007 - 10:10:50) Come on! Sue's behind every suggestion that is good for the area. She has Newtown at heart, and for a very good reason, her livelihood depends on it.

Re: Whole Food Markets - liz (8th Jun 2007 - 12:05:17) We could encourage the Wholefood Markets to the OSU site, ask Waitrose, Lidl, Tesco, Homebase and Asda to move onto the industrial estate. We could then bulldoze Newtown Road to provide traffic access to all our supermarkets. Huge shopping choice and 'convenience', lots of competition so lower prices, ease of access and parking and no derelict sites. - Some people would see this as progress, but if that is the Liphook they want why do they live here rather in Milton Keynes?

Re: Whole Food Markets - Eneida (8th Jun 2007 - 12:21:23) Gen, I've no objection to anybody fighting their corner, if their livelihood is threatened, although I understood the Homeware shop was opened 2 years before 'S' expanded, with little success!! What I do object to is the assumption that the majority of people in Liphook, or even the majority of traders, have a problem with Sainsburys....they don't, apart from the empty shelves. This whole campaign and sadly, this website now, seems to me to be about one person and her problem and woe betide anybody who disagrees!! Another poster (Vicky I think) said we need to have some perspective on the situation....and she's absolutely right. Eneida

Re: Whole Food Markets - liz (8th Jun 2007 - 15:28:35) Eneida I think a large proportion of people who live in Liphook do have a problem with Sainsbury's impact on the village. The fact is that we have a large number of empty shops as the butcher, greengrocer, paper shops, a convenience stores and a supermarket have all closed down. This may have nothing to do with Sainsbury's but it is one heck of a coincidence. Good luck to Sue in her efforts to get Sainsbury's to stick to previous promises, which as far as I can see is all she has asked for.

Re: Whole Food Markets - Sue W (8th Jun 2007 - 16:55:27) eneida How dare you!!. What gives you the right to suggest that the Houseware 'had very little success' Just because YOU didn't know it was there. Some people really should think more before they post untruths. Do you see my accounts then?, and please tell me how you you came to this far fetched conclusion. If you want a village to supply goods for your convienence - its not particularlly helpful to belittle their achievements, when you have not made the effort to SEE what is available. Some people are far too wrapped up on tying to raise the profile of Liphook into some higher society than it really is, and like Liz says, if you want new and trendy go to Milton Keynes!! one very annoyed Sue

Re: Whole Food Markets - Ron Jepson (8th Jun 2007 - 18:35:08) I have read many threads by many people and feel its right for someone who is independent and a businessman (allbeit not in liphook) to have their say. I think Liphook Housewares has a place in Liphook, but other businesses also have the right to stock what they want. We live in a competitive world and if you cant keep up or diversify then thats your problem. Sainsbury's do have a right to supply housewares and no one has the right to stop them, if they have permission to do so. It basically comes down to an issue of morals and community spirit. Sainsbury's also have competition, do you hear them whinging to the press or slandering people? No they get on with it diversify and try new ideas. Housewares can also bring new ranges in and diversify. Housewares covers a multitude of products. Sue, walk round Sainsbury's see what they have, make a note, contact your suppliers and find out what else is out there, you will be surprised. Do your own market research. Sue, sadly you have set yourself up for criticism. There is a point at which you stop moaning and stand up to be counted. You have now, from what I gather, been closing down for a few months?? I bet your turnover has increased?? So at what point do you close? or take down your signs and roll up your sleeves? By law you cannot continue to say you are closing down and not. I dont know you Sue, but i can bet you take this all the wrong way. You have spent alot of energy being bitter and angry when you could have approached Sainsbury's in a professional manner to sort this out. Your continuing attitude to Sainsbury's will alienate you . You can take this how you want, but I am an MD of a progressive manufacturing company and I promise you, if you continue in this vain you will lose all respect from you peers! Good Luck

Re: Whole Food Markets - Sue W (8th Jun 2007 - 18:38:10) Eneida, Your comment that it is all about me, who has a business issue with the 'S', is another untruth. The meeting today was attended by some businesses, who I never expected to have had a problem, but they do.(some couldn't make it) Just because they are not verbal of the situation, obviously doesn't mean that they are happy. There was only one shop owner there who supports the 'S' - because they have already removed products that was duplicated by them. Lucky for them it wasn't most of their shop that was affected. I have never made any personal attack over this issue with anyone (apart from Phil), who I apologised - but he still insisted on attacking me. I can see beyond the people to the business, its such a shame that some can't and have to make it personal. Business is business, people are people very different in my book. If you think I dont listen to anyone else - remeber we have to read everything, so it all goes in - just because someone else has a different opinion, it doesn't mean you have to agree with it. You for one are just the same!

Re: Whole Food Markets - Sue W (8th Jun 2007 - 19:39:24) Ron, Unfortunately for you I have just posted something that I think you would find interesting under another subject. People just keep jumping to the wrong conclusions. I have approached sainsburys in a professional manor, but did not receive any response, and so I had to 'push' a bit harder. If my actions have offended people I am sorry, but this site is for people and business to air their views, if that means only those that you wish to hear, then something is wrong. I too, believe it has had quite enough of this subject, and have said so on a number of occasions, but others keep writing, and i just feel compelled to answer. (was taught if you cant fight your own battles - then dont bother) As a business man your self, I am sure you would never have left such a situation continue, without trying to resolve it sooner. Neither would I. As one poster commented from a previous 'hate' post that I 'should know my place' (said as a joke by a supporter), but getting the feeling that my place is now away from here - happy Do you know - 5 hours ago I was very positive about remaining, but having read some of the recent posts, really don't know if i should!! Its such a shame that others are too frightened to express their view, incase they receive the same comments, I on the other hand know that I have 'put myself up for it' and could take it, but I am not going to fight a few from the community. It has never been about people of Liphook, or staff at Sainsburys. PS The write up in this weeks herald, was a total surprise to me, the picture was taken in the first week of our pending closure and was never used. Yes I did speak to them primarily about a 'business action plan' and 'chatted' about the situation, but had no idea what was on his mind. Perhaps naive. Now can we please put an end to the subject!!

Re: Whole Food Markets - Andrew Kidby (8th Jun 2007 - 19:57:56) Ok I have to finally speak on this matter. I own A3 Sports with my wife. We are, as suggested by Sue " the only supporters of Sainsbury's", WRONG, we are the only ones that originally approached Sainsbury's in a dignified and professional manner. We are not the only ones who in the meeting stood up for and wanted to work with Sainsbury's and build a positive future. Indeed that was the purpose of the meeting. I would also like to thank Sam James for instigating it and giving everyone present the opportunity to express their views. I am tired of all the negativity that has been thrown at Sainsbury's. The reason the meeting was set up and the reason why Sainsbuy's brought down staff from head office is because of this and some very untrue comments, which believe it or not affects sainsbury's staff members, who are part of our community. Our business has been affected and will continue to be so especially when the school uniform season kicks in. We are finding other ways to approach this, working WITH Sainsbury's rather than against them. Yes, items have been removed from Sainsbury's shelves after negotiation in order to be complementary rather than in direct competition with our business, however may I remind you Sue that you have also had this courtesy extended to you when habedashery was removed from their aisles. You mentioned that you have not been rude or discourteous to anyone apart from Phil. I know of one other person that was upset only yesterday by one of your outbursts which was unfounded and undeserved. I am truly glad to see that you are going to stay open as your shop is in my opinion an essential part of the Liphook Community and I hope that in the future you will find common ground with Sainsbury's. We all want this and need this as a community. Andy Kidby A3 Sports

Re: Whole Food Markets - Sue W (8th Jun 2007 - 20:41:44) Andy I am not going to get into a fight here about comments, but you were NOT the only one who approached Sainsburys in such a manner. You are right, we were all there to find a way forward, and that was evident from the discussion. In fact the whole thing was professional, and everyone seemed pleased. I will correct you on the Habberdashery, I never knew that they even had it, and from the conversation with the representives in the shop after the meeting, I was told that it was to be included, but Lynn persuaded them not too. I thank her for that, but this was never known to me until today. We are all supposed to be 'pulling' together, and with that in mind I asked Mr Alan Hallsworth along for that purpose. If you have an issue with other comments, it would be perhaps more appropriate to deal with this direct, and not post it here!! Regards Sue

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