Woody's

Slabber

The problem was that the banks were relying on the credit rating agencies assessment of risk so they were trading in what they thought were AAA securities, which are as safe as sovereign debts.

The credit rating agencies were using financial models of sub-prime debt instruments based on much smaller markets and didn't factor in the fact that the bigger the bubble, the risk of large scale default goes up exponentially. There had never been a sub-prime mortgage market of the size that grew during the boom in the US.

ADGS

And, the credit rating agencies had a conflict of interests. Given which, and given how badly they miscalled the situation for years, it's absurd that all the leading UK political parties are still running scared of them and talking about cutting the deficit way too soon, when they should be laughing the old frauds out of town.

Slabber

No one lost their savings since the government guaranteed all UK bank deposits.

ADGS

What about Icesave, though? Aren't some people still out of pocket on that and waiting on measures which are causing much controversy in Iceland's parliament (and understandably, since it would basically involve the average Icelander's taxes paying to compensate savers over here)?

Arkady

Iceland is just stalling, the referendum is a delaying tactic. If they don't pay no-one will ever invest in them again, and they'll return to being a poor country of jealous fishermen. I pity the population who were shafted by their elites, but they shouldn't be surprised.
Arky

Slabber

It serves them right for investing their savings in a supermarket.

graeme

.......

ADGS

"I pity the population who were shafted by their elites, but they shouldn't be surprised." - it's not as if this only describes Iceland, is it?

Arkady

Hence they should not be suprised.
Arky

ADGS

Agreed. But I feel this tends to confirm my point that the Lottery is, comparatively, one of the least pernicious scams perpetrated upon the proletariat.

Arkady

I tend to agree, it’s a mere grain in a single breeze-block of the towering edifice of false consciousness.

ADGS

It's a good day to get all 'beneath the pavement, the beach' - if the rain keeps up like this we'll have our own little seas nice and handy.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Papa

"'A disproportionate amount of the money gambled on the lottery comes from the unemployed and people on low incomes, approximately 82% of it.' As are most things that cost a pound. This is also true of mars bars, carrots and newspapers" ...hence pound shops.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Slabber

It's still there.

Marquis

Perhaps your neighbour only wanted to say that Woody's more and more resembles a Sainsburys?

miss annie

I thought that might be a possibility too.

missisclack

I love Pound Land.

miss annie

There is a new 99p shop in Muswell Hill. It is massive and full of treasures!

missisclack

Thanks for the tip off.

I somehow manage to spend about £100 a month in Pound Land, Dalston Kingsland!

Lemsip, Revlone nair polish, plant bulbs, yog DVD, organic baby food, you name it. I don't even have a baby.

tbp

Here's my tuppence-worth:

<a href="http://abhp172.portfolios.cutlines.org/2010/02/woodys-on-stroud-green-road-to-become-sainsburys/">http://abhp172.portfolios.cutlines.org/2010/02/woodys-on-stroud-green-road-to-become-sainsburys/</a>;

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Jenowl

There has been a Tesco Metro near my workplace for about 4 years. It has always been terrible - very long queues (winding around the tiny floorspace of the shop, making it hard to reach the sandwiches etc), promotional offers not being put through at the till requiring you go back and claim them, always freezing cold from the over-chilled banks of fridges.

About six weeks ago, a new Waitrose opened directly opposite the Tesco. Now the Tesco is always half-empty even at lunchtime. They had to rearrange their layout, they installed extra tills, but they have still lost loads of customers.

The Waitrose is fantastic and a completely different experience - and depending on what you buy, it's much better value.

I don't think a tiny Sainsbury's in SGR will have the same effect on Tesco. That type of Sainsbury's has a rubbish selection of stock, it costs more than at their main shops (because of the limited pack options etc), there will be the same long queues as at Tesco. I'm not particularly fond of Woody's but I wouldn't use a lacklustre, mediocre and depressing Sainsbury's. I would rather continue enduring the queues at Tesco because of the better choice of stuff to buy.

poxy

Seen this morning @ 175-179 SGR...

<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4423934115_f5d908a17f.jpg" title="sainsburys, on Flickr" target="sainsburys"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4423934115_f5d908a17f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="sainsburys" /></a>

Tallboy

I'm very happy to get a Sainsbury's. Will still have a much better selection than Woody's. There's a limit to how much baklava and olives a man really needs.

Tallboy

I've just googled 175-179 Stroud Green Road, the first entry is a map of SGR with an arrow pointing to Woody's, with a link to Woody's Express. But the link takes you a Scottish haulage company. Don't think I've noticed Google get it wrong before.

slats

'Provision of late night refreshment between 0000 and 0500'

what does that actually mean?

poxy

I think - in the same way that a licence is required to sell booze - a licence is required to sell certain (hot?) foods between the hours of 2300 - 0500hrs.

lizbet

Mini sainsbury's only ever sells the most limited selection of over-priced pre-packed fruit and veg. Rubbish.