Share this article share on facebook share on twitter

waitrose palmers green by philafrenzyAccording to a report on the Guardian website, the Litte Waitrose shop in Palmers Green is among six stores that Waitrose will be closing later this year.

The report further states that the company "hopes" to replace the Palmers Green store with a new store in Winchmore Hill - presumably a reference to the former Green Dragon pub, which is currently being extensively rebuilt, leaving litte more than the facade of the local landmark.

Photo credits: By Philafrenzy via Wikimedia Commons" https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Little_Waitrose,_Palmers_Green_01.JPG

Log in to comment
Dan Skipworth-Michell posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 07:57
What a shame. Of all the big stores that have occupied the site Little Waitrose has been a real success. I wonder if the company would reconsider. Time for Councillors to weigh-in.
Paul Mandel posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 08:22
So much for Palmers Green becoming more affluent.

Clearly Waitrose doesn't think so.

Good news though, it's just about the right size for another cavernous kebab joint , where you can eat about 3,000 calories for a tenner. Perfect after a long bike ride.
Darren Edgar posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 09:56
Crying shame. Sign of decline in Palmers Green, not surprising given the pugnacious attacks on investment & development in the area.

As long as M&S isn't leaving Southgate.....
Garry Humphreys posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 13:14
Very disappointing that Waitrose, a supposedly ethical company, should associate itself with the Green Dragon controversy, quite apart from leaving Palmers Green. There is now a notice outside the shop announcing this departure (subject to consulting with the 'partners' who work there, apparently, as if that will make any difference). Waitrose adds value to the Palmers Green 'high street' and, so far as I can see, does good business, not least from commuters calling in to and from the station. The Green Dragon site won't have these advantages, nor will it have much in the way of customer parking - the old Green Dragon car park is being built on (and any 'new' parking would be reserved for residents), street parking will be limited or non-existent owing to the cycle scheme - I just don't see the logic of such a move. (The obvious solution for the Green Dragon was to turn it into a Travel Inn with a public restaurant and bar facilities, but that's another topic.)

Should we start an online petition to try to convince the powers-that-be that Waitrose is an asset to Palmers Green and we don't want to lose it? Would PGC be prepared to publicise and coordinate it? https://www.change.org/start-a-petition?step=ask&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GST_USER_GBRT1_SCHT1&gclid=CPKdx4yGg9ICFSex7QodeSkAgg
Paul Mandel posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 18:25
I was in there today as I am several times each week. The reason for the closure is their customers want free parking. The store on the old Green Dragon pub site will have 20-30 free customer parking spaces.Shows how out of touch the Council and mini-Holland supporters are Even though I personally always walk there, my family will be losing out.
Charmaine Bourton posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 19:13
I like shopping in Palmers Green and it's nice to have a Little Waitrose that has all the things I want without having to traipse round a huge store and queue for ages
PGC Webmaster posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 19:49
Garry Humphreys wrote:


Should we start an online petition to try to convince the powers-that-be that Waitrose is an asset to Palmers Green and we don't want to lose it? Would PGC be prepared to publicise and coordinate it? https://www.change.org/start-a-petition?step=ask&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GST_USER_GBRT1_SCHT1&gclid=CPKdx4yGg9ICFSex7QodeSkAgg


More than happy to publicise such a petition, but I'm not sure what "coordinating" involves. The first step would be to settle on wording. Any suggestions?
Thomas Hawkins posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 21:06
Paul, I understand your confusion but supermarkets work on sales revenue per sqft. They obviously are not selling enough and the new Sainsburys Local could be a factor. Parking is the same as when the store was being planned so that is irrelevant. Its a real shame as it was a real asset to what was and still is in some ways a very tired and run down street. Its all down to consumer spend. It filters down. If we really want to keep this asset which gives confidence to other potential traders we need so spend there. Perhaps a petition with a commitment to spend a certain amount per week would change their mind. If any encouragement was needed look at the (independent) research that states how much your house goes up when you live near a Waitrose. That will be the reverse if they go. I would be happy to commit to £10 a week! Maybe we are just too spoil t for choice - it is quite a small store (with a limited selection) and the Morrisons is very good. What does everyone else think? Am going to miss their coffee and excellent bread and cakes etc
Breda Patterson posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 22:10
I facilitate a local parents page on Facebook and we have discussed the possibility of a petition therefore I am more than happy to be involved with this.
Thomas Hawkins posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 22:37
Go for it.
Paul Mandel posted a reply
09 Feb 2017 23:44
Thomas. It's a bit symplistic to say that shops work on sales revenue per square foot. They, substantial chains etc. make their investment decisions on their return on capital employed. Basically, their profitability. They wouldn't be closing if there they were making a big enough return.

As for a petition. There is one. But a staff member asked me not to sign. Because, she said, it may only delay the closure, by which time the WH branch will have been up and running, and all the jobs going there, taken.
Chrystalla Georgiou posted a reply
10 Feb 2017 00:49
I am also surprised and very disappointed that Waitrose has chosen to leave us in PG particularly as it has proven so popular. I am also a regular shopper in Waitrose for certain foods and indeed the odd domestic item, particularly when I cannot be bothered to go into the larger supermarket of Morrisons for my full fat jersey milk and then find myself leaving Waitrose with far more then just milk! We all love a little luxury and now its going to be taken away from us, poor PG. I wonder why PG is not appreciated because from my own personal stand-point PG has the most attractive aspect for a potentially good quality shopping area and indeed, far more attractive then even the overrated aspect of Muswell Hill and Crouch End, as in PG we have so many lovely characterful buildings on and just off our Green Lanes which includes listed buildings. Waitrose in Winchmore Hill's previous Green Dragon pub building just seems odd to me. If Waitrose's management are looking for a larger premises in the area then there is the Twenty One store in PG this store has drastically declined and seems to be on its last legs. Disappointingly, parking spaces and shopping seems to be an on going issue and I thought we were embarking on mission to become environmentally friendly to eliminate pollution in our atmosphere for better overall health by using our cars less. People should be encouraged to stroll or cycle to their local supermarkets make their purchases and like 'Iceland' if the customer pays over a certain amount the customer will be entitled to a home free delivery within the area, surely this is the way to reduce cars on our roads and subsequently pollution as well. Waitrose are making a big mistake, so I am now going to sign the Let Keep PG Waitrose Petition.
Emma Holmes posted a reply
10 Feb 2017 17:42
Can anyone share a link to an active petition?
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
10 Feb 2017 21:24
https://www.change.org/p/cllr-bambos-charalambous-pg-needs-waitrose?recruiter=197081386&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copying
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
10 Feb 2017 21:26
https://www.change.org/p/cllr-bambos-charalambous-pg-needs-waitrose?recruiter=197081386&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Freny Green posted a reply
10 Feb 2017 21:42
I will sign the petition! Am gutted that it's closing. I live locally and is the only decent food shop in the area. I walk there and back and is conveniently placed for commuters and local shoppers. Isn't that what makes it 'Little'? Winchmore Hill is further out and much less convenient for me - I will never go there. I was so happy to have good, quality food and service in Palmers Green. We must do what we can to keep the few good things we have on the otherwise thread bare high street. Help.
Freny Green posted a reply
10 Feb 2017 22:09
Here here, very well said Chrystalla. I have been a life-long resident of Palmers Green and remember the 80s and lovely independent shops of my childhood then to see decline, urbanisation and low rent chain shops and endless betting shops. The Waitrose was my one pleasure on the high street and much more than convenience - offering good quality products and customer service. It also seemed very busy so it must have been making some money. I agree that we should also be encouraged to shop locally and walk, cycle etc. instead of driving. Isn't that the point of 'Little'? A bigger store in Winchmore Hill is now condolence - I will never go there as it's way out of my commute home, and very inconvenient for my 'I only popped in for milk and ended up with half the store' impulse purchases.

I have signed the petition on promoted it on Twitter. I'm hoping the PG community will come together and we do something instead of watching our high street being overlooked and unloved.
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
11 Feb 2017 11:32
Sign Petition to keep Waitrose in PG!

www.change.org/p/cllr-bambos-charalambou...&utm_medium=copylink

Thank you All
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
13 Feb 2017 11:26
If we want some thing we love, we have to fight for it and bring solidarity to make things happen!

Please sign Petition!!


https://www.change.org/p/cllr-bambos-charalambous-pg-needs-waitrose?recruiter=197081386&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_page&utm_term=des-lg-share_petition-custom_msg
Garry Humphreys posted a reply
16 Feb 2017 10:42
I've signed this petition, but surely it should be Waitrose to whom it is directed, not Bambos who, as our local councillor, will readily take up any matter and doesn't need a petition to do so! Best of luck, however.
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
16 Feb 2017 12:58
Thank you Garry for the advise, I am new to all this petition so I have updated it to Waitrose Bosses, https://www.change.org/p/all-supporters-lovers-of-waitrose-to-let-it-stay-in-pg
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
16 Feb 2017 12:59
Please all follow this link which has been updated to Waitrose Bosses! Thank-you,

https://www.change.org/p/all-supporters-lovers-of-waitrose-to-let-it-stay-in-pg
Basil Clarke posted a reply
16 Feb 2017 13:11
Perhaps we should be writing the petition taking into account Waitrose's point of view.

So perhaps something along the lines of "You don't miss a good thing till it's gone. Many people in PG appreciated the existence of the Little Waitrose but took it for granted and didn't use as much as necessary. Now that we know that the shop's economics are fragile, we will resolve to use it much more in order to keep it."

Another point to make is that there are new flats being built in the Fox car park, then there are the new flats in the Truro House garden. Plus people are moving into PG from areas like Crouch End and Muswell Hill and will be used to having high class grocery on their doorstep.
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
16 Feb 2017 18:08
https://www.change.org/p/all-supporters-lovers-of-waitrose-to-let-it-stay-in-pg?recruiter=197081386&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

All lovers and supporters of Waitrose we must not let our valuable shop to be taken away from PGC! this has been happening far too much and now are lovely Waitrose will be taken away from us as well! It's about time we stood to be heard otherwise PGC will be turned into a grubby one stop shop area and this is not what we want for a area that was once a Jewel with a air of class. Enfield Council have filled up these spaces over the years with endless Betting shops which promotes gambling addiction and takeaways that promote unhealthy eating, there are millions of people who are desperately seeking help for these addictions, so we should not be allowing this continuous saga to carry on as Enfield Council all they are concerned about is getting their revenue and stuff the area as some of those working in the council may not live in the area or just do not care what the area will turn out! We all have a duty to keep our areas to a stand that we want and this sophistication put back into PGC, with valuable good quality shops!

Enough with the poor quality shops PGC is not a dumping ground for rubbish!

Please sign petition! Thank you to you all.
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
16 Feb 2017 18:11
All lovers and supporters of Waitrose we must not let our valuable shop to be taken away from PGC! this has been happening far too much and now are lovely Waitrose will be taken away from us as well! It's about time we stood to be heard otherwise PGC will be turned into a grubby one stop shop area and this is not what we want for a area that was once a Jewel with a air of class. Enfield Council have filled up these spaces over the years with endless Betting shops which promotes gambling addiction and takeaways that promote unhealthy eating, there are millions of people who are desperately seeking help for these addictions, so we should not be allowing this continuous saga to carry on as Enfield Council all they are concerned about is getting their revenue and stuff the area as some of those working in the council may not live in the area or just do not care what the area will turn out! We all have a duty to keep our areas to a stand that we want and this sophistication put back into PGC, with valuable good quality shops!

Enough with the poor quality shops PGC is not a dumping ground for rubbish!

Please sign petition! Thank you to you all.

https://www.change.org/p/all-supporters-lovers-of-waitrose-to-let-it-stay-in-pg?recruiter=197081386&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
16 Feb 2017 18:12
https://www.change.org/p/all-supporters-lovers-of-waitrose-to-let-it-stay-in-pg?recruiter=197081386&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Sarah Anderson posted a reply
17 Feb 2017 15:44
I agree that Store Twenty One would seem like an ideal site to develop a larger Waitrose supermarket.
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
23 Feb 2017 12:37
I do wish the Twenty One store closes its a absolute dump!!!

I have contacted them more then several times by email to revamp the shop to make it more sophisticated like Bonmarche in Wood Green, but they must of took offence and blocked me sending anymore emails, I found that very rude customer service that is why I want that shop gone! A large Waitrose would be ideal in its place! That would be a beginning of smartening up the area which is much needed!

I just feel whoever i write to for changes in PG, Cllr Bambos Charalambous or Cllr Mary Maguire I seem to get nowhere with them they never want to respond back to my messages, last time i emailed Cllr Bambos Charalambous about the diminishing Xmas lights in PG he emailed back saying "I am sorry it has a adverse affect on you" well what person in their right mind would write something back saying those comments not some-one that cares, clearly he sounds fed-up of the job, I think some-one else that does care should apply as I do not want to deal with people who have no passion for their job!
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
23 Feb 2017 13:11
Please sign petition, Thankyou
https://www.change.org/p/all-supporters-lovers-of-waitrose-to-let-it-stay-in-pg?recruiter=197081386&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Kaye Castanheira posted a reply
23 Feb 2017 13:12
Please sign petition

https://www.change.org/p/all-supporters-lovers-of-waitrose-to-let-it-stay-in-pg?recruiter=197081386&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink