Forum Topic

Long queue in Northfield Ave

Was sent to collect our Christmas butcher meat from Richardson's in Northfield Ave. The queue outside Richardson's was very long, about 40+ feet(approx 3 shop widths), at 8:30am. In the old days, Marion Richardson used to be on the pavement welcoming the customers in the Christmas eve queue, with either hot mince pies, fried sausages or a glass of hot punch! Nothing like that this year, but the chat from those waiting in the queue this morning was hearty, happy and humorous. Since the other butcher across the road went out of business, Richardsaon's has become even busier - good luck to them!

Gerry Tan ● 4846d11 Comments

I assumed that the fishmonger referred to is the one just north of Northfields station.

Susan Kelly ● 4835d

The fishmonger in Hanwell is quite good especially for some 'rarer' cuts and types.Is Simon the chap near the SAAB garage in Northfields?Have to say I still use Sandys in Twickenham when flushed or the superb fish counter in Makro North Acton which is run by a really enthisiastic eastern European guy.

Nigel Brooks ● 4835d

David, where is Simon the fishmonger located please? Is he in Hanwell?

Gerry Tan ● 4835d

There's also a very well stocked haberdashers in Hanwell... on the north side of the broadway opposite the Kings Arms pub. Simon the fishmonger is a major asset to our neighbourhood. stewing some of his squid right now. meant to ask him how long he's been there...  2 years or 3? Don't know how we managed without him. well we didn't, is the answer.

David Dix ● 4835d

The Cheddar Deli also had long queues in the run up to Christmas.  All very jolly and all their staff are extremely knowledgeable about cheese and very helpful. A haberdashers/knitting shop would be wonderful but the man in Daniels is very good.

Pat Kingham ● 4835d

Yes Gerald, I feel there's an awakening in the "non-supermarket" specialist shop in Ealing - we could do with a really good and comprehensive haberdashery shop and there's a crying need for a prime salt-beef deli in Ealing. Whadya think?

Gerry Tan ● 4837d

It's heartening that there are new shops opening too though - Cheddar Deli and Simon the fishmonger near Northfields Station being good examples.  I think there is renewed interest in non-supermarket specialist shops, which is a good thing.Uxbridge Road is also a bit of a cornucopia if you know where to look.

Gerald Cabb ● 4837d

Yes Susan, the branch of Richardson's on South Ealing Road closed down some time back. So now has their original shop in Gerrard's Cross. That leaves their shop in Northfield Ave - that's still open(thank goodness) and long may that be so. So many local butchers shops have gone now - guess its the super markets like Sainsburys, Tescos, Waitrose and Marks & Spencers, who have eased them out of existance. Sad really.

Gerry Tan ● 4839d

I thought they had closed down. The one in South Ealing is long gone and I am told by people who live out in the Chilterns, where they originated, that they have shut up shop there too.

Susan Kelly ● 4839d

Although the Christmas eve queue at Richardson's is always long, its usually a cheerful place to wait - the customers are always good humoured and chatty.  We've never tried Luckhurst's - they sound like a well established and reliable local butchers. We've used Richardson's for many years now - their meat is always good - this year we had three kilos of rolled prime rib of beef - we love the way they leave a fair amount of fat on the beef, it roasts so well and make fine dripping in which to cook the Yorkshire puds. Back to pie and mash next week!

Gerry Tan ● 4839d

Good luck to them indeed, but it's worth noting there is another good local butcher too: Luckhurst's isn't far away and (although I live in Northfields) I do have a self-congratulatory grin when skipping the queues at Richardson's and scooting round to Uxbridge Road instead, at busy times of year... they're also very popular but the shop layout is better for serving large numbers, and they're better for unusual cuts for slow-roasting, I think (I got some bone-in pork shoulder there for less than half the price of Richardsons' boned rolled version).Let's hope they both continue to do well.

Gerald Cabb ● 4839d