Forum Topic

Is Sainsbury's West Ealing Heading for Closure?

Today we had none of the three lifts working at Sainsbury's West Ealing. The convenience of having 1st floor and 2nd floor car parking at the store is somewhat negated by no available lifts.Also the continued absence of human being manned check-outs appears to be turning some elderly shoppers away from the store.Maybe the redevelopment plans for the (expanded) site are moving towards implementation.

Eric Alan Leach ● 211d47 Comments

Haven't used the west Ealing store for yonks. If it's any help, the Chiswick one seems to be heading downhill as regards the standard of the store equipment and staffing. I noticed that the serve yourself section needed the printed receipt scanned before you could get out through the gates. Even the Alperton branch didn't treat it's customers so badly!

peter king ● 158d

Today we have the farcical repeat of none of the lifts working. That's the end for me shopping there. It seems I'm not the only one deciding not to shop there. Do Sainsburys actually care? Today I'm writing to their CEO for an explanation.

Eric Alan Leach ● 159d

Small retailers pay far higher card charges (up to five times higher) than the major supermarkets. That's why I always try to use cash in local shops.

N V Brooks ● 182d

Last time I looked cash was still legal tender in this country. If businesses don’t want to accept it then there’s something seriously wrong in the way they operate. Small independent shops face the same charges as large supermarkets when it comes to the charges incurred on card transactions, which does negatively impact profit margins. No such problem with cash.What’s often overlooked is the ‘convenience fee’ customers often pay for using a phone app for payment. Parking apps add 20p on to the transaction, which is pure profiteering.

Simon Hayes ● 183d

It's useful to be able to do both.

Philippa Bond ● 183d

Perhaps the driver of the car in Cardiff was a cyclist and was confused when he saw a pavement. Dredging up every incident and accident is very counter productive Paul.As has been said many times here and elsewhere there are idiots everywhere.

Simon Hayes ● 184d

Hope that find the driver and prosecute him or her to the full extent of the law.

N V Brooks ● 184d

Accidents happen,sad but a fact, the fact that no charges were laid before the lorry driver after intensive police investigations speaks volumes.

N V Brooks ● 184d

I have witnessed cyclists at that junction go inside of an articulated lorry, which was signaling & I could see driver using mirrors.There are unfortunately accidents/deaths everywhere & everyday. If I was inclined I could trawl through the news & find examples with reckless cyclists.Nothing is completely safe, that’s the world we live. Everyone has to take responsibility & risk assess. That goes with motorists AND cyclists

Peter Yale ● 184d

And in your desperation to blame Claudia Manera for her own death it's been noted that your account of what happened differs from victim blaming Eric Leach's (who also tries to blame her).Which one of you has described what happened at the Lido junction that day accurately, or is it neither of you?

Paul James ● 184d

> Nigel Brooks>The roads are safe for all careful users.I'm sure you can find a way of blaming Casey here for being hit with a car on the pavement.There are thousands upon thousands of other examples like this, so not sure how you can repeat this nonsense again."Casey and her brother were going past the wall of Ninian Park School on Sloper Road in Grangetown, Wales, when a car travelled towards them on March 24. The vehicle, thought to be a grey BMW, overtook another car at the junction and appeared to lose control before going straight across the road and hitting the youngster."

Paul James ● 184d

My opinion is safe, road use comes with risks which can largely be mitigated by using them with both care and courtesy .

N V Brooks ● 185d

Bridget Driscoll, the UK’s first road crash victim, was killed on 17 August 1896, in Crystal Palace.At Bridget Driscoll’s inquest, the coroner reportedly said he hoped that “such a thing would never happen again.” Yet, tragically, since then UK road deaths have far exceeded half a million.According to Mr N V Brooks we are led to believe that the roads are safe. Umm, what do you think? Knowing the facts, ask yourself if his opinion is safe?

Ben Owen ● 185d

The roads are safe for all careful users.What is inequitable is spending vastly disporportionate sums on cycling infrastructure which is used by only a minority of road users (even the LCC only claim 7% of journeys and UofW are probably nearer the mark with 4%). 4% is a tiny miority by any standard. The money would be far better spent on pavement repairs which would benefit far more road users.Why cant cyclists comprehend this?

N V Brooks ● 185d

Making roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians is a bottom up approach to keep a thriving high street going. When shopping local, people who walk or cycle to the shops spend more – not only do they spend more, but they are also doing their bit to reduce air pollution, reduce traffic and improve the quality of our high streets. All government departments here and abroad recognise this. I fail to understand why you do not want to comprehend this.

Ben Owen ● 186d

Boston Manor Road is already done at a cost of £1.2 million. Boston Road, apart from a new bicycle crossing is not within either council plans nor budget. Don't  cry all your tears at once Paul

N V Brooks ● 186d

It's inevitable Nigel. But yes, Boston Manor road first, continue the Hounslow cycle track up to the Viaduct junction.

Paul James ● 186d

Glad that you enjoy your MINORITY leisure pursuit. Classic deflection, what about Copenhagen? Have you run out of bullshit Paul?The protected lane through West Ealing is NEVER going to happen. Cry your tears now. The shops need deliveries, most have no service access anymore. No one is going to spend more millions catering for a maximum of SEVEN per cent of journeys. Best we improve the pavements which are used by far more people than ride around virtue signaling.  I'd get used to being disappointed Paul

N V Brooks ● 186d

At the moment Nigel, once I get out of Ealing I can ride on protected cycle ways all the way to Canary Wharf (with a very Ealng like noticable gap at High Street Kensignton). Have you not noticed?And in Hounslow they're about to extend it out to Isleworth.When we finally get one along Uxbridge Road we'll see regeneration of local shopping and a fall in congestion and pollution as has been reported in other areas.

Paul James ● 186d

Well said Mr Hayes. Cash is king  - look at the fiasco the other day

Peter Yale ● 186d

Spoken like a true modern man, ie not understanding why the entire planet doesn’t think as you do.The cost of living problems have seen a big increase in cash usage because for many it’s the only way they can budget properly. This has been widely reported https://amp.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/jul/24/surprise-jump-in-number-of-uk-people-mainly-using-cash-for-daily-spendingThe idea that everything done with a swipe card or a phone App is laughable. Not only is fraud on the increase, IT failures or lack of phone signal cause all manner of problems.

Simon Hayes ● 187d

Oh look. Copenhagen car use expected to increase by 18 percent by 2035. Who’d have thought it! The aim isn’t to encourage more bike use but more public transport use from areas outside the city. Plus improve the roads to reduce congestion.https://cphpost.dk/2023-06-19/news/more-car-trouble-in-copenhagen/

Simon Hayes ● 187d

What do you suggest happens to all the through traffic Paul? Shut the A40 and North Circular perhaps?The problem with cycling nut jobs is they really do lack perspective. Or they are just stupid.

Simon Hayes ● 187d

I was, of course, comparing with London take off your blinkers and stop being so damned parochial.

N V Brooks ● 187d

Ealing is 54 square km, Copenhagen is 94 square km ;)

Paul James ● 187d

We don't live in Copenhagen you buffoon. 7% is the absolute maximum at the moment as cited by the LCC despite the millions of pounds being spent for you and your little chums to disrupt all of the other traffic. Try reading the posts. Compared to London Copenhagen is absolutely tiny

N V Brooks ● 187d

42% in Copenhagen Nigel, so your 7% being a maximum is just a silly fantasy! :)

Paul James ● 187d

Don’t really understand the issue and why people need to use cash, you can just tap with your card and leave. Can understand the elderly but I see 40 year old who don’t seem to know how to use a credit card which is concerning!

Andrew Boynton ● 187d

Commercial cool cabinets/freezers are not that expensive butI wonder if they mean the 'behind the scenes' coolroom and freezers.

N V Brooks ● 188d

Meanwhile....back to Sainsbury's. Black gaffer tape now changes the lift 3 designation from 'Partners' to shoppers. Management says the lift problems stem from the difficulty in getting spare parts from Germany. However £7 million is about to be spent in the store on new freezers. That sounds like a lot of freezers.

Eric Alan Leach ● 188d

30-40 percent! In your dreams Paul.

Simon Hayes ● 188d

7% is what it is as an absolute maximum despite £millions being spent on dedicated infrastructure for you and your few (and diminishing by latest counts) cycling chums. What a terrible waste of public funds. At least the message is finally getting through to LB Ealing as they scale back the ridiculous segregated cycle lane proposal for Uxbridge Road. We can grasp the simple reality Paul that cycling is a minority pursuit. Why can't you?

N V Brooks ● 188d

It's you that's not getting this Nigel. 7% is not enough, it needs to be 30 or 40%...

Paul James ● 188d

You still don't get it do you?At an absolute maximum, 7% of road journeys are made by bike. That is the peak figue quoted by both the LCC and UOfW in their study.Why then is access to 33% or 50% of roadspace removed to accommodate followers of this minority transport method?  It's a simple question Paul

N V Brooks ● 188d

PJ blah blah blah. No one drives for fun, they need to.Congestion, pollution caused by idiotic council/TfL schemes, roadworks.Cycle lanes taking out half road space etc etc

Peter Yale ● 189d

Peter you write "however people want & need a car" as if there are no negative consequences of so many car journeys.There are, lots, pollution, climate change, congestion, road danger, noise, fighting on the street, buses being held up, road damage, sewer damage, bridge damage, blue badge holders getting stuck in traffic (people that actually DO need a car) and more.

Paul James ● 189d

Indeed, that is definitely the way to ensure that Sainsbury pull out of West Ealing.Sainsbury's is a poorly sited, poorly planned store but with Waitrose imminently undergoing redevelopment (assuming that their horrendous overdevelopment gains approval) Sainsbury may be the 'only game in town' for a while.

N V Brooks ● 189d

Car parks for gym users too (& I think there’s office workers).Agree for blue badge bays, however people want & need a car

Peter Yale ● 189d

Get rid of the ridiculous waste of money and space cqr park, turn it into flats with 10 or so bays for blue badge holders. Sorted.

Paul James ● 189d

Yesterday neither of the two customer lifts were operating. The only functioning lift is for Sainsburys' staff - not for customers.With Lidl currently kitting out the old Wilko store (the size of an indoor football pitch!) some 50 yards from Sainsburys on Broadway you might have thought Sainsburys might have made an effort to retain customers.

Eric Alan Leach ● 190d

A lack of spares from Europe is a problem on many items. The good thing is that we have take back control!

Nicholas Beard ● 195d

Actually lifts not working has become a much greater problem in many buildings now that it is more difficult to get the spare parts from...  Europe!  Also it is harder to get people to repair them as there is also a lack not just of operatives but of management to make sure that the operatives report back and the repair cost estimated and agreed and spare parts ordered and chased up and chased up and chased up and...  you see what I mean?

Philippa Bond ● 202d

Send this to the managing director

John Matthews ● 208d

The best one is those paying with their phone app, only to find the Wi-Fi doesn’t work.

Simon Hayes ● 209d

Exactly, so give the option rather than force card only use on us

Peter Yale ● 209d

Lots of people hate cash and love cards...  until the tills don't work and they can't buy their breakfast/lunch/supper!

Philippa Bond ● 209d

Same everywhere, they hate cash. Cone out with stuff & nonsense about no one uses cash. Em maybe because you put barriers up.It’s a prime area. Think about the number of flats, they hate parking & cars too

Peter Yale ● 210d