Forum Topic

Good  local businesses

I recently came across an outstandingly good cheese shop in Northfields Avenue called Cheddar Deli. I had no idea it existed -  it's not the sort of thing you'd trawl the internet for - but it's a real find. So pleased a friend mentioned it. A wonderful selection of English and Continental cheeses and many other goodies with a very knowledgeable and helpful proprietor.  Are there any other small, personal local businesses like this that people would recommend? (I know there's a Directory on this site for local businesses, but it doesn't seem possible to put a recommendation on it, only to review what's already there). Businesses like this deserve all the support they can get, but it's hard to support something you've never heard of!

Christine Gratus ● 5118d27 Comments

" I believe you will increasingly find multiple threads on similar topics."Not if posters, as on numerous other similar sites, make the effort to search before posting.Anyway,I think we 'done this to death'. I will continue to search and 'resurrect' old threads as needed. Others are free to do as they wish.

Nigel Brooks ● 5111d

"The 'forum' is a bit of fun". OK. But a lot of people are turned off by remarks that they consider to be slagging off but which the writer perhaps considers to be harmless banter. In such cases they will very likely cease to use the Forum rather than respond - which is a shame, because it can and does perform a useful function and isn't a private party for a few seasoned members. People for the most part when making or looking at recommendations aren't interested in history, only in the present. Without a like/dislike option on Ealing Today and similar sites, I believe you will increasingly find multiple threads on similar topics. "The past is a foreign country, they do things differently here". As a result of the immediacy of the internet, this is a fact of life we will have to increasingly live with!

Sue Rowe ● 5111d

Point one. I was suggesting. it works well on numerous other sites including West Ealing Neighbours (when it was active) and the 'decline' or improvement of a retail outlet was easy to assess by loking at the history. As example there was once a fabulous takeaway restaurant in west Ealing which, due to a change of staff went downhill fast. One could see 'what was' and disregard the 'positive' posts from those associated with the business trying to counter valid criticism. The reverse is true one can negate the critical posts from competitors, which happens often, by reviewing the 'history' rather than isolated one post threads.Point two. Noted, but the hits here are for the news in the main I would conjecture given the dearth of local reporting by the 'local' press. The 'forum' is a bit of fun and a good source of information (when there are not loads of duplicate threads). .

Nigel Brooks ● 5112d

I've just remembered the butchers name opposite Sainsbury's in West Ealing - Luckhurst, reasonably priced, good quality meat and helpful staff (plus you can always get a few jokes from them if you are lucky!)

F Stone ● 5112d

Point one: it's all very well, suggesting (or should that be "requiring") people go through old threads to find salient information and add to it, but retail outlets can change radically over a period of time - even 3 months. Simply adding to an old thread doesn't cut the mustard for me - and I would guess, for quite a few other people.Point two: Individual tone of voice varies considerably - but I have noticed on other local sites that criticism of others is a deterrent for a lot of people. If a Forum is to be successful, with a decent number of regular visitors/contributors, advertisers will disappear - and it's they who pay for the site.

Sue Rowe ● 5112d

Sorry that should have read 'votes' not 'vites'.

Nigel Brooks ● 5113d

Sorry, I disagree.If one does the 'trawling' and then adds one's opinion to an existing thrad it adds more 'weight' to the recommendation. Numerous identical threads only dilute the opinion. I for one, would prefer 10 'vites' in the same thread then 10 singleton opinion threads.Sadly, as this forum's application does not lend itself to flat file threads it does make searching more labourious.

Nigel Brooks ● 5113d

Local small businesses need all the support they can get and when someone comes across one that impresses that is a good reason for a new thread. We don't all have time to trawl through old threads & it isn't always easy to find salient information.

Glenda Margaret Shawley ● 5113d

Keith,Thank you, I'm more than familiar with the house rules. I think the original poster, Christine, made her feelings quite clear about Nigel's unwelcome contribution.

Bud Richards ● 5115d

Bud,I am not sure if you are a new poster or not and may not know the 'rules' of posting.Unless one breaks the code of conduct,any comment is fair game.Nigel has been posting for years and has had no complaints from anyone else as far as I know.I'm sure the poster can reply to Nigel for herself if she thinks he has been unfair.Just a thought...

Keith Iddon ● 5117d

Thank you for your erudite insight into moderation taken, one assumes, from experience.Was that sarcasm? I was merely trying to make the point that a fair number of 'new' threads are anything but. As to counsel, oh, I see that was another attempt at sacasm wasn't it as you are patently wanting to offer your own version of counselling by that remark.

Nigel Brooks ● 5117d

Nigel, not everyone can live up to your pristine standards of checking back on all the pages of previous posts to ensure that they don't duplicate content and risk unbalancing your perfect life.I sympathise with those on the "one of the busiest photography bulletin boards on the 'net" who must live in daily fear of your moderation policies!!Sarcasm aside, lighten up. People don't need your counsel on what they do or do not post. Certainly on this Forum anyhow....

Bud Richards ● 5117d

Oh, so very helpful and insightful - NOT!One wouldn't if the titles were not different; then one finds that the content is the same.I moderate one of the busiest photography bulletin boards on the 'net and duplicate threads are simply deleted if they add nothing to the original or else the post is moved. Something that doesn't happen here which leads to loads of duplication. As example the four almost identical threads started today to simply correct a piece of information.

Nigel Brooks ● 5117d

Don't read them then.

Pat Kingham ● 5117d

Not a forum bore, just someone who gets teed-off reading constant threads on the same subject because people are too damn idle to check the index!

Nigel Brooks ● 5117d

.................according to Sinton Andrews !! LOL

Penny Crocker ● 5117d

I can recommend the butchers opposite Sainsbury's in West Ealing - very reasonably priced with a lovely selection of meat. The fishmongers (both of them) in West Ealing along the Uxbridge road are also worth a look. Cudi near the Lido crossing is also good as well.

F Stone ● 5117d

Thank you so much, Penny and Pat - just the kind of recommendations I was hoping for. I don't go down Northfields Avenue much (live near Ealing Broadway) but can see I'll have to change my habits. And thanks Bud, for pointing out to the Forum Bores that's the site isn't their exclusive property.

Christine Gratus ● 5117d

Nigel, who died and made you Forum Police ? If Christine wishes to create a post, that's her business, not yours. If you've covered this topic before and have nothing to contribute, move on. Absolutely no need for that comment.

Bud Richards ● 5117d

Possion fishmongers, between Lammas Park and Northfields Station, did a lovely seafood platter for a recent party. Highly recommend.

Pat Kingham ● 5117d

Other local shops I regularly use and like are:Darch and DuffThis and That (formerly Property clearance company)The Co-op in South EalingMAPF charity shop - South EalingRichardsons butchers (although pricey)MomentosThe Plough (for a drink only)

Penny Crocker ● 5117d

I don't care how much........

F Stone ● 5118d

It's a little runny..........................

Nigel Brooks ● 5118d

Ah John Cleease and Michael Palin - a classic. Jus as long as you don't ask for Camembert

F Stone ● 5118d

Oh Keith ....:-)Venezuelan Beaver Cheese “Not today sir, no.” Cheddar “Well, I'm afraid we don't get much call for it around these parts.” Original

Nigel Brooks ● 5118d

You sound a bit cheesed off Nigel...

Keith Iddon ● 5118d

It's been 'promoted to death' on this and other boards.Gald you liked it though.

Nigel Brooks ● 5118d