Holland & Barrett is coming to Lordship Lane

[GMav]

H&B Is coming to Lordship Lane 

It will be next to the Large St Christophers in Lordship Lane

Also just to confirm that Oliver Bonas is taking over the 2 white stuff shops (i spoke to the builders yesterday and they confirmed they are breaking through to combine all three shops)

[EDmummy]

Very sad to see H&B on LL. Will still go to Health Matters! 

[Sue]

I will go to both Health Matters and H&B!

I already buy a lot online from H&B in their sales,  - when they  have excellent bargains  for things like 3 for 2  large bags of nuts (which I freeze), and   so it's one high street store I'm pleased to see on Lordship Lane (apart from their weird array of sports stuff and "snacks" with sugar in).

I can't say the same for Oliver Bonas, but then I doubt I am their target market 😂

  On 15/01/2025 at 15:55, EDmummy said:

Very sad to see H&B on LL. Will still go to Health Matters! 

Expand  

 

[Alec1]

I noticed that today, cryptic wording on the shuttering, but guessed that was who it is.  Seems sad that it will likely impact Health Matters

[Sue]

  On 15/01/2025 at 17:24, Alec1 said:

I noticed that today, cryptic wording on the shuttering, but guessed that was who it is.  Seems sad that it will likely impact Health Matters

Expand  

I can't remember exactly when it was, but some years back a shop opened up virtually opposite Health Matters which was selling more or less the same kind of thing (what were they thinking?!)

It didn't last long, I assume because most if not all people continued to use Health Matters.

Hopefully Health Matters and H&B are sufficiently different that Health Matters won't be impacted too much.

Also, I doubt that assistants in H&B will have the same kind of expert knowledge about what they are selling as the people in Health Matters do - and for some  kinds of products (eg vitamins, supplements, essential oils) it's important to be able to be sure that what you are being told is reliable.

[NewWave]

  On 15/01/2025 at 15:55, EDmummy said:

Very sad to see H&B on LL. Will still go to Health Matters! 

Expand  

Me too Health matters know their stuff give great advice and Monica and the team are lovely.

H&B have minimum wage staff who although they are nice enough I would never trust for advice or guidence.

I would always support a long running indpendent local buisness rather than a chain.

 

  On 15/01/2025 at 17:24, Alec1 said:

I noticed that today, cryptic wording on the shuttering, but guessed that was who it is.  Seems sad that it will likely impact Health Matters

Expand  

It won't if you and others choose to support a small indpendent who have staff with superb product knowledge rather than a nationwide chain with regular 'salespeople'

[Alec1]

  On 15/01/2025 at 18:43, NewWave said:

It won't if you and others choose to support a small indpendent who have staff with superb product knowledge rather than a nationwide chain with regular 'salespeople'

Expand  

I don't use either, but I don't like to see local businesses get swamped by chains.

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

Half of Holland and Barrett is just fake-healthy fizzy drinks anyway.

[Sue]

  On 15/01/2025 at 22:32, Dogkennelhillbilly said:

Half of Holland and Barrett is just fake-healthy fizzy drinks anyway.

Expand  

Yes I agree much of what they sell  is unhealthy rubbish, but they do have some good things, some of which are not sold by Health Matters (so far as I know) eg sprouted rye bread. Once it's open I slice and freeze it.

Though whether they sell that in their shops or just online, I don't know. 

[Cancerian]

I don’t know what the shop was originally next to the big St Christopher’s but if Holland and Barrett are taking it over then surely it’s good to have a choice on Lordship Lane? The Camberwell H&B is always empty but the Brixton branch busy. 
I remember when the Marks & Spencer food shop was Iceland? Now the M&S is a very busy store and at the time regenerated the high street!

[jazzer]

Time will tell if H&B are loved or loathed, the footfall they get and generate will determine if they stay or go. That's the nature of businesses, they come and go dependant on usage. Examples are M&S, Poundland Local, Co-op, Superdrug, Mons, the chain restaurant/takeaways, the chain Estate Agents, Toolstation, Screwfix to name a few. 

As much as people would like to see Lordship Lane remain a high street of independents, it is becoming clear that due to Landlords hiking rents, some are unable to survive. This leaves empty units which some of the chain brands considering it to be worth a "punt". I'd have thought that businesses operating in shops is a better alternative than a high street with multiple empty units, but what do I know, they are just thoughts on the subject.   Take a look at Croydon and Bromley where what were once thriving high streets are in decline. 

I have to say that some of the prices charged by the independents are eye watering, and incomes i'd have thought have to be substantial to afford their prices. Personally I'd love a Lidl to open on what was the site of the Harvester, but I guess that would get shouted down, oh the thought of Lidl in Dulwich. Whatever next. 

[Azalea]

An Aldi or Lidl at the Harvester site would be useful. But, there’s a Lidl close by in Peckham.

[Sue]

  On 15/01/2025 at 23:51, jazzer said:

Time will tell if H&B are loved or loathed, the footfall they get and generate will determine if they stay or go. That's the nature of businesses, they come and go dependant on usage. Examples are M&S, Poundland Local, Co-op, Superdrug, Mons, the chain restaurant/takeaways, the chain Estate Agents, Toolstation, Screwfix to name a few. 

As much as people would like to see Lordship Lane remain a high street of independents, it is becoming clear that due to Landlords hiking rents, some are unable to survive. This leaves empty units which some of the chain brands considering it to be worth a "punt". I'd have thought that businesses operating in shops is a better alternative than a high street with multiple empty units, but what do I know, they are just thoughts on the subject.   Take a look at Croydon and Bromley where what were once thriving high streets are in decline. 

I have to say that some of the prices charged by the independents are eye watering, and incomes i'd have thought have to be substantial to afford their prices. Personally I'd love a Lidl to open on what was the site of the Harvester, but I guess that would get shouted down, oh the thought of Lidl in Dulwich. Whatever next. 

Expand  

I agree re rents, but I don't think you can compare Croydon and Bromley with East Dulwich. Different kettles of fish. They both had, or possibly still have, big what used to be called "shopping centres" rather than just high streets.

I think the one in Croydon is being "regenerated" or whatever the word is, isn't it?

Also shopping habits are changing. Where once you would go to a physical  shop to buy things, now many things are bought online, where apart from the convenience there is more choice, and you can easily compare prices and see reviews.

Re Lidl in Dulwich, I knew a very well off person with a house on the Thames in London plus various other places including a flat in Venice (!), who shopped in Lidl because she said their parmesan was excellent 😀

My grandmother used to be very sniffy about M&S (in the days before it became known by its initials) 😀

I think it would be great to have a Lidl nearer than Camberwell or Peckham, but I can't see it happening, sadly.

I'd also like to see a Waitrose, preferably replacing Sainsbury's, but that isn't going to happen either, also sadly.

Edited January 16 by Sue

[jazzer]

yes, totally agree about online shopping, people prefer to click the mouse and have the item delivered, with the saga which that entails rather than physically buying it, and this is the result businesses closing because it is no longer cost effective to provide the service, or the reverse happens and they increase and increase prices till the stage they price themselves out of the market. Shoppers need to ditch online shopping wherever possible. 

[kford]

  On 16/01/2025 at 10:44, Azalea said:

An Aldi or Lidl at the Harvester site would be useful. But, there’s a Lidl close by in Peckham.

Expand  

In the old Jewson's yard would be useful too

[Azalea]

  On 16/01/2025 at 10:55, Sue said:

I agree re rents, but I don't think you can compare Croydon and Bromley with East Dulwich. Different kettles of fish. They both had, or possibly still have, big what used to be called "shopping centres" rather than just high streets.

I think the one in Croydon is being "regenerated" or whatever the word is, isn't it?

Also shopping habits are changing. Where once you would go to a physical  shop to buy things, now many things are bought online, where apart from the convenience there is more choice, and you can easily compare prices and see reviews.

Re Lidl in Dulwich, I knew a very well off person with a house on the Thames in London plus various other places including a flat in Venice (!), who shopped in Lidl because she said their parmesan was excellent 😀

My grandmother used to be very sniffy about M&S (in the days before it became known by its initials) 😀

I think it would be great to have a Lidl nearer than Camberwell or Peckham, but I can't see it happening, sadly.

I'd also like to see a Waitrose, preferably replacing Sainsbury's, but that isn't going to happen either, also sadly.

Expand  

I’d like to see a Waitrose and Aldi next door to each other in the current Sainsbury’s Dog Kennel Hill store.  It’s a huge site.

[Pugwash]

Was not impressed by Health Matters when I went there to get some Magnesium supplements (as recommended by my GP). There was so many different choices/strengths. Tried to get assistance but no joy- either too busy chatting or serving other customer, was not asked at any point whether I required help even though I was in there for a good 20 odd minutes. Also found the prices quite high.   

[Sue]

  On 16/01/2025 at 17:23, Pugwash said:

Was not impressed by Health Matters when I went there to get some Magnesium supplements (as recommended by my GP). There was so many different choices/strengths. Tried to get assistance but no joy- either too busy chatting or serving other customer, was not asked at any point whether I required help even though I was in there for a good 20 odd minutes. Also found the prices quite high.   

Expand  

You must have been very unlucky, they are usually very helpful.

Didn't your GP advise you on what strength to get?

  On 16/01/2025 at 15:04, jazzer said:

yes, totally agree about online shopping, people prefer to click the mouse and have the item delivered, with the saga which that entails rather than physically buying it, and this is the result businesses closing because it is no longer cost effective to provide the service, or the reverse happens and they increase and increase prices till the stage they price themselves out of the market. Shoppers need to ditch online shopping wherever possible. 

Expand  

Any issues with delivery from online orders pale into insignificance when compared with the advantages of not having to trek from shop to shop comparing availability and prices of what you want, and then having to find someone in each place who can tell you about it, and then hoping that they have given you the correct information!

And then having to lug it all home, if it is heavy stuff. Assuming you were lucky enough to find what you wanted in the first place.

Been there, done that for decades,  don't want to do it any more thanks  😀

Edited January 16 by Sue

[Azalea]

  On 16/01/2025 at 17:23, Pugwash said:

Was not impressed by Health Matters when I went there to get some Magnesium supplements (as recommended by my GP). There was so many different choices/strengths. Tried to get assistance but no joy- either too busy chatting or serving other customer, was not asked at any point whether I required help even though I was in there for a good 20 odd minutes. Also found the prices quite high.   

Expand  

There are at least five different types of magnesium. What type did your GP tell you to buy?  The glycinate version is most often used for sleep problems in case that is the type you are looking for.

[jazzer]

  On 16/01/2025 at 20:02, Sue said:

You must have been very unlucky, they are usually very helpful.

Didn't your GP advise you on what strength to get?

Any issues with delivery from online orders pale into insignificance when compared with the advantages of not having to trek from shop to shop comparing availability and prices of what you want, and then having to find someone in each place who can tell you about it, and then hoping that they have given you the correct information!

And then having to lug it all home, if it is heavy stuff. Assuming you were lucky enough to find what you wanted in the first place.

Been there, done that for decades,  don't want to do it any more thanks  😀

Expand  

I feel crushed again

Edited January 16 by jazzer

[Sue]

  On 16/01/2025 at 22:23, jazzer said:

I feel crushed again

Expand  

Oh dear, sorry 😭

Always different opinions on a forum!

[Monkey]

I hope LL won’t become another bland high street… I will also continue to go to Health Matters. But might buy my nuts from H&B.

[HerneHillier]

Health Matters give great advice. Staff on H&B much less knowledgeable I'd imagine. Good for nuts and seeds in bulk though. Hopefully room for them both! 

[ab29]

Disappointing to see H&B coming to LL. Would be great to have 'no packaging' shop instead

[Sue]

  On 17/01/2025 at 17:15, ab29 said:

Disappointing to see H&B coming to LL. Would be great to have 'no packaging' shop instead

Expand  

There's Gather  in Bellenden Road.

And doesn't the Turkish (?) shop sell no packaging things? I'm sure it used to at one point. Maybe it stopped.