Forum Topic

Trade War on Chiswick High Road

If you haven't already realised that giving your custom to local owned businesses gives you a better experience, is better for the national economy and helps bring in more tax, then now is perhaps the time to take a close look at where you shop.There are better alternatives to Starbucks, KFC, Five Guys and Chipotle. There is every reason to avoid ordering through Deliveroo and Uber Eats and if you use ride hire Estonian owned Bolt is cheaper than Uber.On the other side of the coin, if there are Canadian and Mexican businesses we can support please post here.

Anita Blake ● 57d47 Comments

Surely, make your own food. It's your clean hands, your herbs & spices etc etc. Takeaways, too many hands handling the food, you don't know what's happened to it by the time you get it, disgusting, bike fumes, quickest way to get food poisoning. Are people becoming so brainwashed like it's normal to have food delivered this way all the time. And how come all the owners are European countries?

Carl Johns ● 21h

My spies tell me ma&pa live upstairs, Lovell Junior didn't want to run a shop

Guy Lambert ● 2d

Lovell's Flower shop was open in the 90's then reduced hours and eventually closed.  The owners used to live upstairs and may still do.

Chris Lucy ● 2d

I have been told by local residents over the years that the shop's owner, an old boy kept the shop going solely to store furniture and his bits and pieces, all kept from the public's gaze by those arty blinds.I have never seen, or heard of any form of life going in or out of that shop.

Denis I. Fox ● 2d

"Lovell’s was a florist in the sixties and seventies"It was still a florist in the mid-eighties, when I moved to Chiswick.

Gail Busza ● 3d

Guy: Electoral Rolls/Census returns might show something for Lovell’s address.

Peter Evans ● 3d

"I remain intrigued by Lovell's in the rather elegant but as far as I can remember never active shop next door to the old police station."Many years ago, Lovell's was a flower shop.

Gail Busza ● 3d

Lovell’s was a florist in the sixties and seventies. It was run by a local family who used to live there, I don’t know why or when the  shop closed. But do remember some members of the family still lived on the premises after closure.Like a lot of residents I have no idea of the present situation.

Bernard Allen ● 3d

On ChiswickW4 on 28th Jan 2024, this appeared in an article about the proposed police station development:‘Lovells, which occupies 203 Chiswick High Road, the only building that abuts the planned development, has commissioned an independent light assessment by XC02, which contradicts the findings of the consultant employed by Birchgrove on the loss of light to neighbouring properties.‘Lovells also contends that the traffic generated by the 50 units including regular ambulance visits will cause undue pressure on an ‘already saturated’ Linden Gardens unless access is enabled from Prince of Wales Terrace.’,,so somebody must be connected to this property. Planning docs might reveal more.

Peter Evans ● 3d

Looking at Google Street cam over the years, Lovell’s shop seems to have contained the same randomly distributed contents for at least the past ten years.

Peter Evans ● 3d

I remain intrigued by Lovell's (though some sources think it's Lovelly because the script is misinterpreted!) in the rather elegant but as far as I can remember never active shop next door to the old police station. Internet investigation has got me nowhere much.What is this place all abouty, what is its history, how long has it been there?

Guy Lambert ● 3d

I think WHSmith will still be at airports and train stations but just not in the high streets.

Philippa Bond ● 3d

There is a curious longevity to death.

Mark Frost ● 3d

W H Smith's to disappear from our High Road? Wow! how the mighty have been falling over the years. Agreed WHS has become a bit tired looking in recent times.Thus, Bond's, the Funeral Directors remain the longest serving businesson CHR!Is that so?

Jim Lawes ● 3d

Not surprisingly, there are several shops called 'TGJones' in Wales already. The new owners must have been thinking of 'Alias Smiths and Jones' when they came up with this idea!

Peter Evans ● 4d

Somehow T G Jones doesn't have the same ring to it as W H Smiths - or even W H Smugs as they were popularly known.

Richard Greenhough ● 4d

- have sold their brand, new owner and new name coming. Oh no, another bit of nostalgia disappeared from our lives.

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 4d

"A car came past me very fast, and very close to me before turning off into Grange Road"Sounds like some BMW drivers are switching to Teslas.

Richard Greenhough ● 4d

As we have had two Teslas locally where the rear nearside wheels 'parted company' with the vehicle (one on the A4 and the other on Pope's Lane Ealing) I think that I shall pass on such exceptional build quality.Amazed to see the continued adulation of Musk to the point where he was hailed as a 'hero' for 'rescuing' the two astronauts from the ISS.  I am sure that there are some rednecks who think that he suspended his role as mild-mannered Buzz Lightyear to pilot his own rocket to the ISS from where he personally rescued the two stranded astronauts.

N V Brooks ● 4d

I am a bit of a nerd about cars and this week I have been looking out for brand new cars registered in March. So far I have recorded 6 such cars. One was a Kia - made in KoreaTwo were MGs - made in ChinaOne was a Peugeot - made I think in FranceOne was a Mercedes, Made in Germany.Yesterday I only saw one as I cycled home along Wellesley Road. A car came past me very fast, and very close to me before turning off into Grange Road or maybe Oxford Road North, the rat runner favourite. Inevitably it was a Tesla.

Guy Lambert ● 4d

As this seems to be kicking off in earnest now it is perhaps worth reflecting that 71% of American's economic output comes from states that didn't vote for Trump. The most effective way for this country to target a 'red' state is to stop buying American whiskey most of which comes from Kentucky. 

Andrew OSullivan ● 4d

That's what you get if you marry the head girl of St Trinian's (twice).

Richard Greenhough ● 14d

We were driving west on the A40 approaching the Hanger Lane Gyratory when we noticed a large crowd of people some of whom had crossed to the central reservation.It was only as we were moving through them that we spotted they were outside the Tesla garage and some of them were holding up 'Honk if you hate Elon signs'. It was too late for us to do so but we would have if we'd have known.

Anita Blake ● 14d

People I work with who have a better understanding of usage of data than I do are adamant that you should not use Facebook regardless of the policies of the American government. I've been off it for years but WhatsApp is more difficult to dump.

Mark Evans ● 22d

Not difficult to find American companies to boycott. Tesla is far too expensive for me anyway, but I got out of Twitter when Musk started talking about civil war in the UK. I stopped using Amazon many years ago (even before I learnt it was originally called Relentless) and stopped my sub to Washington Post when I realized Bezos owned it. Facebook is obvious but I haven't yet weaned myself from that

Guy Lambert ● 24d

These lines are often very difficult to draw. Take Starbucks for instance, a global company but its European HQ is here in Chiswick and some local people may be employed there. Other than for reasons of the quality of the coffee, should we be boycotting them? My wife often went around local shops for fund raising and sometimes local businesses owners were very dismissive including one on Devonshire Road who was straight out aggressively rude. On the other hand sometimes the local managers of chains were great and had a fund set aside for local sponsorship. You are right though that generally the more local the ownership, the more likely they were to be generous.

Andrew OSullivan ● 24d

That's an interesting angle on the NICs rise. I don't necessarily agree totally but you are right that it will end with the closure of many businesses probably including some on the High Road.The other point I'd make on the value of our local traders is that, as anyone who has gone round asking for sponsorship or other fundraising activities, they are far more supportive than larger companies. This means more of the money you spend there stays in our community.

Anita Blake ● 27d

"We should also be looking at where things are made."Just noticed the tiny label inside my new Kenwood fridge freezer, bought from Currys. "Made in China". I don't think it includes a spy camera or microphone, but you never know.....!

Richard Greenhough ● 28d

This whole thing is fiendishly complicated and although Trump's simplistic approached based on trade deficits is nonsense, I don't think anybody would be able to concisely explain how international commerce works.The key thing to focus on is where the value added is. If most of the 'designed in Cornwall' products' profits effectively come from design rather than manufacturing, then it is probably quite legitimate to put a Union Jack sticker on it.Any electronics product you by will probably have components from Korea, Taiwan, PRC and American in it with payments having to be made for IP to other countries.This makes exercising consumer choice to make a statement about America's abandonment of liberal democratic values very difficult other than the obvious boycotting of Starbucks, Deliveroo, Uber Eats and KFC. As I never gave them my money anyway, I am struggling to see how I can utilise my limited spending power to make a point.

Francis Rowe ● 28d

I find it easy to spot most things which are made in China. Be careful, though. There is quite often a Union Jack on the cardboard label of an item while deep inside there is a label saying 'Made in China'. What the cardboard label means is that the item was designed in the UK. Seasalt clothing is, for example, 'designed in Cornwall' but certainly not made there.Out of interest, which everyday items are USA made? I can't say I can think of any.

Anne England ● 28d

With a trade war with the US now seemingly very close another point worth considering is the looming rise in NICs. This is obviously a very damaging tax for the economy and will put lots of companies out of business. The government has been heavily criticised about it and perhaps they should be looking more at the expense side of the budget but we need to remember that any sniff of fiscal looseness would see interest rate premiums rise and ultimately hurt far more. One of the reasons that NICs was chosen out of a range of bad options is that smaller businesses generally pay Corporation Tax but larger multinational ones don't so putting that up would just make an unlevel playing field more unlevel. This doesn't just apply to American companies but they will use transfer pricing to ensure that any tax liability lands in the country with the lowest tax rates. Unlike many other parts of the UK, the Chiswick area still has a relatively high number of businesses which are independently run. If your preference is for a larger chain, maybe check their tax management policies before purchasing from them again but generally our local traders will really need your support in what are likely to be difficult times ahead.

Andrew OSullivan ● 28d

It's not a great look owning a Swasticar.

Stewart Jones ● 44d

Exactly my thoughts funny enough.

Janice Evans ● 45d

I'm not surprised, who would want to own such an ugly looking car?

peter king ● 45d

Tesla sales are plummeting in Europe 🇪🇺🇬🇧 -18.2%🇫🇷 -63.4%🇳🇱 -42.5%🇳🇴 -40.2%🇪🇸 -75.4%🇸🇪 -46.0%🇩🇰 -40.9%🇵🇹 -31.0%Total: -47.7%Data from Dancing Queen on XCome on UK, get with the programme!

Guy Lambert ● 45d

We should also be looking at where things are made.I recently refused to buy some bedding made in China.

Chris Lucy ● 45d

You can spend your money where you want but you should think about the ethics of the companies you are buying from and the countries the goods come from. Canadian boycotts of certain US products seem to have caused Trump to back down on blanket tariffs and it may not be long before he turns his attention to this country. 

Andrew OSullivan ● 45d

I’d like to think I can spend my money wherever I want thank you very much. Please shuffle along……

John Bird ● 46d

No they are not because Tesla has never paid its shareholders any dividends.

Francis Rowe ● 56d

Of course you will. Meanwhile those with shares are seeing wonderful dividends.

Steve Taylor ● 56d

I am looking forward to seeing the Tesla sales figures over the next few months across UK and Europe.  Suspect many may rethink their choice of EV, I know I certainly will.

Matthew Swain ● 56d

Peter, the Zoom warehouse in South Acton isn't a dark kitchen but a facilitation centre. I believe their delivery riders are employed directly so they shouldn't be put in the same category as the food delivery companies such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats whose employment practices are reprehensible. Francis is right that the ten storey building in North Acton is something to be aware of as it will have a massive impact on local food businesses. It was approved last March but I don't know when it comes online.

Andrew OSullivan ● 56d

Thanks for "Tallin" us about the Estonian ownership of 'Bolt' Anita!

Jim Lawes ● 57d

We already have an Ocado 'Zoom' warehouse and other dark kitchens on the nearby South Acton Industrial Estate, with increasing numbers of their pedal cargo bikes rattling through our back streets with their straining delivery riders.

Peter Evans ● 57d

Always best to order direct rather than through a delivery app from whatever nation. Companies like Deliveroo offer 'discounts' on order for which the prices have already been inflated. People should be aware that they are likely to be pushing hard deliveries from a mega dark kitchen due to be built in North Acton in which minimum wage employees will slave away in units with no natural light producing food for over 200 'restaurants'.

Francis Rowe ● 57d

We don't Eat takeaways that often, safe for the excellent Best Kebab fish bar on Albany Road Brentford. Both Just Eat and Deliveroo load the takeaway prices by up to 40% and then have the temerity to charge a delivery fee.

N V Brooks ● 57d

Thanks NV.It turns out that Just Eat, previously listed on the London Stock exchange (Despite having been originally Danish) was taken over by Takeaway.com of Netherlands. It is now going to be delisted in London and listed only in Netherlands https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Eat_Takeaway.com

Guy Lambert ● 57d

If you must get food delivered then JustEat is Dutch-owned.

N V Brooks ● 57d