please empty your brain below
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Many buildings seem to have short lifespans these days.
You watch them go up and a few years later you watch them come down.
One store chain I avoid is IKEA, went once to the Wembley store, never again. If dg gets an IKEA built nearby I doubt he will be using it.
John | 14.06.15 - 8:45 a.m. | #
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Ah, what a shame. My first home in London was in the GMV and I really enjoyed the walk along the river, past the ecology park to go to my local eco-Sainsburys. The next Sainsburys that I lived near to in Wandsworth was like a shed and not nearly so pleasant.
Adam | 14.06.15 - 8:46 a.m. | #
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I know exactly what you mean about being the right size - my local Sainsbury's has had several extensions over the years, the end result now that it's too big and quite a hassle to use, particularly if you're only popping in for a couple of bits. I tend to avoid it these days.
AB | 14.06.15 - 8:50 a.m. | #
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I went to this Sainsbury's a couple of times when I was driving BMWs at the Olympics because it was identified as a prime location for a comfort break when taking passengers to/from the O2 Arena.
I didn't realise its architectural significance and am disappointed it is being demolished.
Not only is the replacement next to a Makro, it's very close to an ASDA - competition will be fierce!
BTW, did you notice that the adjacent petrol station is the same shape as the supermarket?! It's very apparent on e.g. Google Earth.
John Simmons | 14.06.15 - 8:51 a.m. | #
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The Sainsbury's in the Stratford shopping centre, which I remember as a marvel in my youth, is often very overcrowded. When - disappointingly - the large WH Smiths next door closed down earlier this year we were hoping that Sainsbury's would extend into that floorspace. Unfortunately it doesn't appear that that is happening but, from the licensing documents in the Smith's window it seems that it is to become a Lidl. So not too bad an outcome - should take pressure off Sainsbury's and give choice to shoppers, although the market traders may fear the competition. It means in Stratford we will have Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, M&S and Lidl.
Joan | 14.06.15 - 9:18 a.m. | #
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Hmm. A sad end to a bold idea.
Kirk | 14.06.15 - 9:54 a.m. | #
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(But I found it a bit dark in there)
Kirk | 14.06.15 - 9:54 a.m. | #
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@ Joan, I'm not sure if all the supermarkets are competing dirctly, apart from the different demographics they appeal to they are rather scattered, Waitrose is quite a walk from the station and Morrisons is a similar distance in the other direction. But I'm interested to hear about the Lidl, I was wondering what WHSmith would become.
Meanwhile Tiger (which dg was sarcastic about,calling it "Copenhagen tat" in a previous post) has moved from near Sainsbury's/WHS, into Westfield, leaving another vacant unit.
But for me the main attraction of the original Stratford shopping mall is now the Books for Free shop, exchange your unwanted books for others.
amber | 14.06.15 - 11:16 a.m. | #
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All in the name of "progress". :(
Cornish Cockney | 14.06.15 - 11:17 a.m. | #
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It'll be a shame to see this building go. Initially it was often jokingly referred to locally as the Tellytubby building, but I think a lot of people grew to like it.
Besides the obvious commercial interests, I'm wondering if the expendability of this building could be a sign of the enthusiasm for 'the environment' might be past its peak: on a lesser note, I've noticed a number of local supermarkets and DIY stores no longer having their recycling stations.
RogerW | 14.06.15 - 11:42 a.m. | #
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No mention of the wind turbine? That is the best part. Helical vertical axis turbine out front.
mark ifi | 14.06.15 - 2:22 p.m. | #
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...plus more people are using "foodbanks" across the country. So much for "progress" in this "brave new millennial world"...
Working Class Hero | 14.06.15 - 2:51 p.m. | #
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@ Amber. You're right about Stratford supermarkets, of course, although I use all the existing ones but primarily Morrisons because it's closest to me.
Am hoping that Tiger might be replaced with a HEMA store - the Dutch equivalent. They currently only have UK branches in Victoria and Kingston and Bromley. Great tea towels and sweets. Really interesting history too: http://images.hema.nl/media/GB/pdf/HEMA_corporate_story.pdf
Have made some great finds in Books for Free! Given the lack of charity shops in Stratford it fulfils a real need.
Joan | 14.06.15 - 3:25 p.m. | #
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You don't mention the architect - Paul Hinkin - who came to the meeting where demolition consent was agreed and made a strong case for retention. He has since died
edith | 14.06.15 - 4:08 p.m. | #
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Compare and contrast: the London Soccerdome, up by The Dome, has also recently been closed and removed (ground space now to be occupied by housing, natch). But at least the Soccerdome is being recycled - it will be re-erected in Southend.
The really shameful aspect of this is that Sainsbury's environmental credentials were greatly boosted by the Greenwich building, but they are not recycling the building to another occupier - their sale terms require the building to be demolished, it seems.
Gordon | 14.06.15 - 4:27 p.m. | #
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My brother worked here whilst at Greenwich uni in the early 2000s and I remember coming here many times. It was a nice shop with plenty of light and I'm sad to see it be demolished. I used to think it looked like something from the Tellytubbies!
Funny to hear that it is being closed in order to move to a bigger store as I thought the trend towards massive supermarkets had stopped.
R | 14.06.15 - 10:15 p.m. | #
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I'm very sad about this, although I have never lived anywhere near the store.
Yes, an end to optimism indeed.
Lorenzo | 15.06.15 - 2:20 a.m. | #
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Hmmm, sheds...
A little while ago I went to King's Hill in Kent, which could roughly be described as a 'new town,' on the site of the former WW2 airfield RAF West Malling.
It has its own ASDA: at first glance it could be taken as "a shed" but it was good to see the architects included some styling cues that hint towards the shape of an aircraft hangar.
RogerW | 15.06.15 - 8:27 a.m. | #
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I live three corners from it. Sainsbury's have stitched everyone up with their clause that the building must be demolished and a non-food retailer move in.
The Ikea will be a disaster traffic-wise -- although they claim 30-40 percent of people will not use a car (ever got on a bus with a flat-pack wardrobe??).
The new Sainsbury is already a metal barn eyesore and, as noted, is also right next to an ASDA. It is also a base for home delivery vans, so more non-greenery.
Harumph.
Chris | 15.06.15 - 10:55 a.m. | #
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Chris - I've not got any stats to back this up, but surely home delivery vans enhance their green credentials? One van making X deliveries to customers, as opposed to X car trips taken to the store?
Adam | 15.06.15 - 11:11 a.m. | #
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And there you have it. Green may look good but profits are always going to win the day with Companies - unless they've someone really Principled in charge!
Shame though.
Bronchitikat | Homepage | 15.06.15 - 11:25 a.m. | #
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@RogerW
One reason for less recycling centres and bottle banks is that all councils now offer doorstep collection of recycling waste in addition to general household waste.
Jon | 16.06.15 - 8:03 a.m. | #
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Cheers, Jon - I guess that could well explain it
RogerW | 16.06.15 - 8:29 a.m. | #
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