one of these stores is around the corner from where I'm staying. Can anyone shop at these or do you have to be a member?
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA, USA
419 posts
Why don't you just go to the store and ask them?
Posted by
London, UK
477 posts
As Emma says, they're a regular supermarket - tho' not the best, I'd be looking for alternatives. But I'm sure for basics they would do fine.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5466 posts
Depending on the particular society, members get a very small percentage of their goods returned, plus a few other fringe benefits but the shop is available to all. Indeed back in time the co-op was the largest grocer in the UK. Rather a way back now.
Posted by
London, UK
477 posts
Hi Emma, think everyone is giving Tesco's a run for their money at the moment. Coming originally from the North West, grew up with them - my mum used to have booklets in which she stuck stamps. My last experience, when up North a couple of years ago, they seemed to have gone very downhill (or maybe hadn't improved so seemed uninspiring.)
Getting back to Mike's original query if he is in/near Convent Garden then there are Sainsburys and M&S nearby as well as Tesco Metro and Sainsbury Local stores.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33994 posts
In my experience in the Midlands (E&W), and popping into occasional green coloured stores elsewhere,
the Coop has some of the most inferior products at a very inflated price. My local one has a nice Post Office counter though.
My findings are backed up by Which? magazine (sort of like UK Consumer Reports) and I read an article in either Daily Mail, the Times, or the Evening Standard a few weeks ago agreeing.
Bottom of the pile, I'm afraid, for Coop. And their funeral business has has trouble too, but nowhere near as much trouble as their bank.
The Tesco towards 7 Dials is not bad, and the Sainsbury is OK, in that area of London.