Brixton news, rumours and general chat

[editor]

Wholefoods crowdfunder

Donate to Save Brixton Wholefoods, organized by Hilary Waterfield

This is an old page. Please donate to our new GoFundMe campaign here: https://www.gofundme.c… Hilary Waterfield needs your support for Save Brixton Wholefoods

www.gofundme.com

Well spotted.
Buzzed: Brixton Wholefoods launches new crowdfunder to help them recover from a break-in

 

[urbanspaceman]

Well spotted.
Buzzed: Brixton Wholefoods launches new crowdfunder to help them recover from a break-in

Another request for financial gifts from a supposedly commercial enterprise. The pros and cons of this approach were discussed concerning the Brixton Cycles crowdfunder. But I am puzzled as to why BW can't claim on its insurance. And if staff are working "on the minimum wage and some even working on a voluntary basis", then this suggests that there is something wrong with the business model - it's not fair to expect staff to work for nothing. This is the second crowdfunding initiative in a short period (last one in 2021), but nevertheless people less curmudgeonly than me have been generous, with anonymous gifts of £6k and £5k, and £1k from Lady Danbury of Bridgerton herself.

 

[editor]

Another request for financial gifts from a supposedly commercial enterprise. The pros and cons of this approach were discussed concerning the Brixton Cycles crowdfunder. But I am puzzled as to why BW can't claim on its insurance. And if staff are working "on the minimum wage and some even working on a voluntary basis", then this suggests that there is something wrong with the business model - it's not fair to expect staff to work for nothing. This is the second crowdfunding initiative in a short period (last one in 2021), but nevertheless people less curmudgeonly than me have been generous, with anonymous gifts of £6k and £5k, and £1k from Lady Danbury of Bridgerton herself.

I get the impression that this is a very much an 'old school' kind of Brixton enterprise with community at its heart rather than ruthless capitalism. But yes of course the staff should get paid more, but I imagine some are happy to work there because they feel aligned with the values of the shop - much like the mods here do it for free.

 

[edcraw]

Yeah - these local businesses should just be left to fail and be replaced by corporate chains that do capitalism properly! Amazon should buy this up and open a proper Whole Foods!!

 

[urbanspaceman]

I get the impression that this is a very much an 'old school' kind of Brixton enterprise with community at its heart rather than ruthless capitalism. But yes of course the staff should get paid more, but I imagine some are happy to work there because they feel aligned with the values of the shop - must like the mods here do it for free.

To expect a small shop to make a bit more money than it expends is hardly "ruthless capitalism". And although the word "community" crops up all over the place as a sort of virtue shield in conversations like this, BW remains a completely orthodox private company with one director. It's not a Community Interest Company, and it's not offering any perks to people who are kind enough to give the owner some money.

It's entirely possible that the staff have developed a sufficiently false consciousness to believe that in working for nothing their interests are aligned with those of the owner.

But the capital-labour nexus of BW staff is quite different from that of the mods on U75, because you Ed, do not have the expectation of making money from surplus value of your mods' labour.

 

[story]

Another request for financial gifts from a supposedly commercial enterprise. The pros and cons of this approach were discussed concerning the Brixton Cycles crowdfunder. But I am puzzled as to why BW can't claim on its insurance. And if staff are working "on the minimum wage and some even working on a voluntary basis", then this suggests that there is something wrong with the business model - it's not fair to expect staff to work for nothing. This is the second crowdfunding initiative in a short period (last one in 2021), but nevertheless people less curmudgeonly than me have been generous, with anonymous gifts of £6k and £5k, and £1k from Lady Danbury of Bridgerton herself.

The person who works there voluntarily is retired from the shop and comes back because they want to, and once there likes to help out. They’ve been working at the shop for so long, it’s part of their pattern of living. There’s no obligation that they come in, nor that they work when they do. It’s completely their own choice.

I don’t know about the insurance thing. I suspect the insurance doesn’t cover this event because the shutters were broken and there was an unavoidable delay in repairing them over the Easter break. So maybe they’re not covered if the shutter isn’t in use.

Workers get paid minimum wage but they also get a decent discount on their shopping there, and they’re treated like human beings who have lives outside the shop. Their time and needs are respected and taken into consideration by the owner and management.

I do know that they’ve had a lot of piled up stuff going on all at once, including the demise and death of one of the owners in December.

Also, a huge increase in shoplifting since the cost of living crisis started, the effects of the LTN outside, supply line issues, the way that shopping changed during the lockdowns (more online sales) and a bunch of other stuff.

It’s not perfect, and there are problems obvs but the owner isn’t gouging anyone to her own benefit.

 

[story]

Believe it or not, community is important to everyone who works at BWF, from the owner down to the part timers.
No way to prove it to you, but it’s the truth.

 

[urbanspaceman]

Yeah - these local businesses should just be left to fail and be replaced by corporate chains that do capitalism properly! Amazon should buy this up and open a proper Whole Foods!!

Let's compares the prospects for staff at Brixton Wholefoods and say, Holland and Barrett, a big corporate competitor

BW: no promotion prospects, no formal training, minimum wage, sometimes no wage

H&B: several structured training programmes, promotion/progression prospects, regular wages, minimum pay £13.20ph, NEST pension scheme, 25% employee discount

 

[urbanspaceman]

Believe it or not, community is important to everyone who works at BWH, from the owner down to the part timers.
No way to prove it to you, but it’s the truth.

I believe you, but I don't know how to identify what the results are of "community" being important. How is the experience different for a customer from that of a conventional shop ?

 

[edcraw]

Let's compares the prospects for staff at Brixton Wholefoods and say, Holland and Barrett, a big corporate competitor

BW: no promotion prospects, no formal training, minimum wage, sometimes no wage

H&B: several structured training programmes, promotion/progression prospects, regular wages, minimum pay £13.20ph, NEST pension scheme, 25% employee discount

I believe bankers at Goldman Sachs get an even better deal - perhaps they would consider moving their headquarters to Atlantic Road and take over from the cynically exploitative Whole Foods owners.

 

[story]

I believe you, but I don't know how to identify the results of "community" being important. How is the experience different for a customer from that of a conventional shop ?

Do you shop there?

People are greeted by name, their foibles are tolerated and excused, they’re not hurried out of the shop if they’re talking to friends, even if they’re there all afternoon, they have a herbalist on site who gives out free advice to customers. If someone needs extra help for any reason, they get it, regulars are immediately recognised and the necessary help is offered automatically. If you want a particular product they’ll order it in for you, they keep things behind the counter for you, if you leave something behind they’ll run after you to give it back or keep it til you return, people who came in with their parents as children now come with their own children, people travel from long distances to shop at BWF by choice even though they’ve left the area.

The fact that so many customers contributed to the crowdfunding last year surely indicates that it holds a special importance for them…?

The book of condolences that was started after Tony died is full of really heartfelt and fulsome messages about how important he, and the shop, has been for people personally, and this week they’ve had to start a second book.

How is this kind of thing ever identified and measured? It’s experiential.

 

[freshapple]

Let's compares the prospects for staff at Brixton Wholefoods and say, Holland and Barrett, a big corporate competitor

BW: no promotion prospects, no formal training, minimum wage, sometimes no wage

H&B: several structured training programmes, promotion/progression prospects, regular wages, minimum pay £13.20ph, NEST pension scheme, 25% employee discount

BW must offer a workplace pension surely?

 

[story]

Let's compares the prospects for staff at Brixton Wholefoods and say, Holland and Barrett, a big corporate competitor

BW: no promotion prospects, no formal training, minimum wage, sometimes no wage

H&B: several structured training programmes, promotion/progression prospects, regular wages, minimum pay £13.20ph, NEST pension scheme, 25% employee discount

This is laughable.

If you’re interested in climbing the ladder, then of course you’ll go work for H&B by preference. The people who choose to work for BWF wouldn’t want to work for a corporate retail company. If they did, they’d do so.

 

[story]

BW must offer a workplace pension surely?

I suppose they pay for all the legally necessary stuff. Does any retail outlet pay a workplace pension outside the legal minimum for such a thing? Does H&M pay into a pension scheme for their shop floor workers?

 

[freshapple]

I suppose they pay for all the legally necessary stuff. Does any retail outlet pay a workplace pension outside the legal minutia for such a thing? Does H&M pay into a pension scheme for their shop floor workers?

Workplace pensions

Workplace pensions and automatic enrolment - how you're affected, how pensions are protected, what happens if you move job or go on maternity leave and how to opt out

www.gov.uk

 

[story]

This is laughable.

If you’re interested in climbing the ladder, then of course you’ll go work for H&B by preference. The people who choose to work for BWF wouldn’t want to work for a corporate retail company. If they did, they’d do so.

Also, there is something to be said for the humble job that brings in enough money to get by and doesn’t demand constant surveillance and proof of worth. Not everyone is cut out for the grind of proving that you fit the model of perfect employee. The baggy-round-the-edges employer is a godsend for the baggy employees who struggles with punctuality, need leeway around taking time off and personal priorities that don’t match the normal working day, might be less than perfect at some aspect of working life etc.

 

[story]

To expect a small shop to make a bit more money than it expends is hardly "ruthless capitalism". And although the word "community" crops up all over the place as a sort of virtue shield in conversations like this, BW remains a completely orthodox private company with one director, Hilary. It's not a Community Interest Company, and it's not offering any perks to people who are kind enough to give ... some money.

It's entirely possible that the staff have developed a sufficiently false consciousness to believe that in working for nothing their interests are aligned with those of the owner.

But the capital-labour nexus of BW staff is quite different from that of the mods on U75, because you Ed, do not have the expectation of making money from surplus value of your mods' labour.

Probably a good idea to edit out the name of the owner here.

It’s not the done thing to use personal names on here without permission.

 

[GarveyLives]

A lot of you will know that our dear colleague, Tony, who was the main anchor of the shop for many decades, passed away in December after suffering from Alzheimer’s. During this period of time all the staff have stepped up to take over Tony’s lead.

The book of condolences that was started after Tony died is full of really heartfelt and fulsome messages about how important he, and the shop, has been for people personally, and this week they’ve had to start a second book.

Condolences to the friends, family, and past customers of The Late Tony Benest and all those affected by his illness and subsequent death. He will be fondly remembered by many who were part of the community for whom Brixton Wholefoods provided an important and well-loved service (unfortunately, many of whom have also now died or simply left the area).

(Source: brixtonblog.com)

The Late Tony Benest​

 

[editor]

Let's compares the prospects for staff at Brixton Wholefoods and say, Holland and Barrett, a big corporate competitor

But why would you do that? People are attracted to different jobs for different reasons, and it's not always solely about money and prospects.

I could have sold this place for a sum big enough to retire on back in the day. Yet I chose not to.

When I was (very briefly) a web design hot shot, I regularly turned down really well paid jobs because I didn't want to associate myself with the company - just like some people will elect to work for a struggling, community focussed independent shop rather than a 'big corporate competitor.'

 

[story]

On thinking about it, I think BWF staff are on the London living wage not minimum wage.
A small but important distinction.

 

[GarveyLives]

On Saturday 6 April 2024, a vigil will be held at Windrush Square in Brixton, to mark six years since the 'Windrush Scandal' was brought to wider public attention beyond those immediately impacted by it:

 

[organicpanda]

a couple of points, the staff are on London Living wage and the owner is living off her pension not exploiting the staff, one member of staff comes in for free because they enjoy it (they are retired) and an old friend of the owners

 

[GarveyLives]

Another request for financial gifts from a supposedly commercial enterprise. The pros and cons of this approach were discussed concerning the Brixton Cycles crowdfunder.

The earlier comparison between Halfords and local competitorscertainly did come to an abrupt end.

Let's compares the prospects for staff at Brixton Wholefoods and say, Holland and Barrett, a big corporate competitor

So far as the current comparison of employment and business practices, business models, and financing structures between Holland & Barrett and Brixton Wholefoods is concerned, in the 40-odd years of its existence in the centre of Brixton, can you recall ever seeing stories like these about Brixton Wholefoods?:

Holland & Barrett accused of 'exploiting racism to make money' by stocking skin-whitening product

"The small business commissioner and senior MPs have taken the highly unusual step of publicly criticising the health food chain Holland & Barrett for treating its suppliers “shabbily”, as part of a crackdown on companies that take months to pay suppliers ..."

Holland & Barrett accused of treating suppliers 'shabbily'

"Angry customers have taken to social media to call for a boycott of Holland & Barrett over its links to oligarch Mikhail Fridman, who has been sanctioned by the European Union ..."

As sanctions net tightens on oligarch behind health store, Mikhail Fridman, customers clamour for boycott of Holland & Barrett

‘Look, we’re not sanctioned’: how Holland & Barrett owner cut ties with Russian investors

"Holland & Barrett has postponed controversial changes to supplier payment terms after furious backlash from some of its supply base ...

The “ridiculous” changes – which affected around 13% of H&B’s supply base – were heavily criticised by some affected brands, who claimed they would effectively be forced to pay thousands more per month to continue to list with the retailer ..."

Holland & Barrett pauses controversial changes to payment terms after supplier backlash

Ultimately, only those who wish to gift money to Brixton Wholefoods in response to their appeal will do so.

 

[DietCokeGirl]

Unfortunately, BW's niche doesn't really exist. The products I used to go there for are now widely avalible in lidl and aldi, and much cheaper to. I want to shop there and support them, and I do pop in and get something when Im feeling flush but it's increasingly hard to justify unfortunately

 

[CH1]

The earlier comparison between Halfords and local competitorscertainly did come to an abrupt end.



So far as the current comparison of employment and business practices, business models, and financing structures between Holland & Barrett and Brixton Wholefoods is concerned, in the 40-odd years of its existence in the centre of Brixton, can you recall ever seeing stories like these about Brixton Wholefoods?:

Holland & Barrett accused of 'exploiting racism to make money' by stocking skin-whitening product



Holland & Barrett accused of treating suppliers 'shabbily'



As sanctions net tightens on oligarch behind health store, Mikhail Fridman, customers clamour for boycott of Holland & Barrett

‘Look, we’re not sanctioned’: how Holland & Barrett owner cut ties with Russian investors



Holland & Barrett pauses controversial changes to payment terms after supplier backlash

Ultimately, only those who wish to gift money to Brixton Wholefoods in response to their appeal will do so.

If you are unhappy about Holland and Barratt's business methods, how about their ownership?
On 21 June 2017, it was announced that a series of negotiations had commenced by NBTY on behalf of The Carlyle Group to sell off Holland & Barrett in its entirety. A few companies showed interest in acquiring the company, namely A.S. Watson the owner of Superdrug and The Perfume Shop, and KKR the private equity firm both showed an interest in early negotiations. Five days later, on 26 June, it was reported that Holland & Barrett had been sold for £1.8 billion to L1 Retail, a group formerly controlled by Russian billionaire businessman Mikhail Fridman.[8] Fridman stepped down from L1 Retail's parent company in early March 2022, after the European Union imposed sanctions on them in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[9]
(Wikipedia)

 

[story]

Unfortunately, BW's niche doesn't really exist. The products I used to go there for are now widely avalible in lidl and aldi, and much cheaper to. I want to shop there and support them, and I do pop in and get something when Im feeling flush but it's increasingly hard to justify unfortunately

This has really eaten into their profits and thus their sustainability as a small local independent shop. They recognise the problem themselves.

Their niche USP is their herbs. People still go there to buy their cooking herbs and spices, and also medicinal herbs too. The fact that you can buy half an ounce of woodruff or whatever makes them pretty unique, but there’s no profit in that.

The fact that the herb counter is self service is pretty special too. People really like that, and on the whole no one takes the piss, cos they value the fact that the shop trusts them. They’ve also got a good range of medicinal tea mixes, and the recipes are unique to BWF. Sadly, they’ve had a lot of issues with supply so they often don’t have a full complement of herbs available.


Baldwin’s model is really different (you have to tell them what you want at the counter and then get handed your pack of herbs), and there’s nowhere cheaper. Maitri Health Centre in Streatham has a herbal apothecary at the back, but you’re (usually) buying tinctures there, which are yet more pricey. They do have qualified herbalists on site though, and you only pay for the medicine, not the consultation.

There are a few other places in Brixton where you can by herbal medicine (Pempamsie on Brixton Hill, the Herb Man on Pope’s Road, and a shop near the Rec too), but only BWF is self service and there’s often a busy crowd round the table sharing information and news with each other.

 

[editor]

This has really eaten into their profits and thus their sustainability as a small local independent shop. They recognise the problem themselves.

Their niche USP is their herbs. People still go there to buy their cooking herbs and spices, and also medicinal herbs too. The fact that you can buy half an ounce of woodruff or whatever makes them pretty unique, but there’s no profit in that.

The fact that the herb counter is self service is pretty special too. People really like that, and on the whole no one takes the piss, cos they value the fact that the shop trusts them. They’ve also got a good range of medicinal tea mixes, and the recipes are unique to BWF. Sadly, they’ve had a lot of issues with supply so they often don’t have a full complement of herbs available.


Baldwin’s model is really different (you have to tell them what you want at the counter and then get handed your pack of herbs), and there’s nowhere cheaper. Maitre Health Centre in Streatham has a herbal apothecary at the back, but you’re (usually) buying tinctures there, which are yet more pricey. They do have qualified herbalists on site though, and you only pay for the medicine, not the consultation.

There are a few other places in Brixton where you can by herbal medicine (Pempamsie on Brixton Hill, the Herb Man on Pope’s Road, and a shop near the Rec too), but only BWF is self service and there’s often a busy crowd round the table sharing information and news with each other.

Maybe - and I kinda hate myself for saying this - they need to ramp up their social media profile and presence to tell their story to a younger audience? Or entice a local filmmaker or - and by God I really do hate myself for uttering these words - get an Insta Influencer to come and do a video about their unique offering?

They could quote your words above for starters!

 

[editor]

This kind of transparent PR bullshit really pisses me off. Some team building company are offering to feed 50-80 homeless people for one day only. Which is great.

But keen to extract the maximum feel-good publicity for their one-day selfless act, they've hired in a PR company to advertise their "search for a venue that would allow it to host its 'biggest yet' cooking for the homeless event."

To that end, they've prepared a press release liberally peppered with the company's name and business type which has been sent out to multiple press outlets. In my case, twice in five days.

You would have thought it would have bene cheaper and quicker just to hire someone to find them a venue, eh?

 

[story]

Maybe - and I kinda hate myself for saying this - they need to ramp up their social media profile and presence to tell their story to a younger audience? Or entice a local filmmaker or - and by God I really do hate myself for uttering these words - get an Insta Influencer to come and do a video about their unique offering?

They could quote your words above for starters!

I think there have been various conversations about online presence over the years but yunno.

Also, as stated, they have a huge heap of tricky issues on their plate right now that get in the way of new projects.

 

[editor]

More info about the M&S refurb

Marks and Spencers adds detail on how its Brixton store will be turned into a ‘fresh-market style foodhall’

As we reported last week, the Marks and Spencer store in Brixton Road is set for a lengthy closure, closing its doors for around six months tomorrow (Thus 11th April 2024). The company has now issu…

www.brixtonbuzz.com