Co-op

Not good with food. That advert always bugs me because this is the one supermarket that I have ever come across where the fruit or veg goes off before the best before date. They sometimes have some decent offers on fruit so occasionally I forget and get bitten in the donkey.
It’s a shame, because aside from that it’s actually a very convenient place to stop by to pick up the essentials. The price isn’t too bad, the selection is decent given the size of the place, there is a bit of a queue at times but it doesn’t move too slowly and you can avoid the peak times once you get to know them. They are also worth avoiding as the staff tend to abandon crates in the aisles to go and help out on the tills, creating something of an obstacle course to negotiate too.
I prefer to go somewhere else. It’s my local, so if I’m at home and I have need of provisions then this is where I will venture forth, but from a regular shopping point of view this place isn’t good enough and I prefer to get by picking stuff up elsewhere with the odd internet shop thrown in for the heavy stuff.

This corner overlooking Shoreditch Park was formerly the middle of nowhere, home only to council estates and pitbulls. Now it boasts this supermarket, a gym and a high class restaurant. Something to do with the warehouse apartment blocks sprouting along the canal maybe?
It’s not a massive shop, but I like it, and am finding myself going slightly out of my way to pass it. The stock is definitely aimed at those in the new apartment buildings, but prices seem more reasonable than you’d find in Waitrose etc. It’s also nice to see lots of ‘ethical’ lines, with sandwiches with freedom farms chicken, and ready meals with free range egg being readily available. Personally I’ve sampled a sandwich with chicken and herbs (delicious) and some of the ready meals (my cooker isn’t working so I’m microwave only but they were tasty!)
Service has been known to be perhaps a little too relaxed, but that’s a minor quibble really. Definitely worth a look if you are in the area.