Dawlish Discussion

Then I suggest you pop into the dry cleaners (yes! the dry cleaners!) in Queen Street - "Proudly Pressed" - and buy some. They also do a nice line in deli goods and when I was in there earlier today they were also selling very nice breads and rolls. More expensive than you'd normally pay for bread and rolls I admit but very nice as a treat and a change.

Anyone anymore (serious please) recommendations concerning our local independents? Then why not post them here (hope that's okay webmaster) as a way of trumpeting the town centre shops and helping them survive now that Sainsbury's has opened.

OK with me!

Lynne, that sounds lovely! I would never have thought to go in there for nice deli goods and bread, so thank you very much for sharing.

I know Stokes on the Strand isn't technically an independent shop, but as it's a small chain local to the South West, I thought I would give it a mention here. I think they are an excellent greengrocer, and the prices are very competitive - I actually find them to be cheaper than the big supermarkets in many instances. Moreover, it's really nice to be able to buy the quantity of something that you actually want, without all of the excessive packaging, rather than having to buy more than you need because it comes in some pre-packaged plastic thing from the supermarket. Although I tend to do my "big shop" from the Sainsbury's on Alphington Road in Exeter, it's not unusual that I'll choose not to buy my fresh fruit and vegetables there, opting to buy them from Stokes instead. It's nice to buy stuff that you know has been grown relatively locally, and the staff seem really knowledgeable when I've asked them questions about the products.

I'd also like to recommend Poppadums on the Strand (I know they have a Teignmouth branch too). I often get my free range eggs from them (and find they are usually one of the cheapest places in town for this), and I also like to go there for herbs and spices. Since they sell an enormous range of spices, they seem to have more unusual stuff that it can be hard to find in supermarkets. Moreover, because they sell the spices by your chosen weight, again, it's really nice to buy the quantity that you want of something, rather than being made to buy them in annoying packets or jars from the supermarket, often having to pay for more than you actually want to use. They are really friendly in there too!

have to agree about stokes.i've found them to be cheaper than supermarkets and as you say,no waste.

Lloyd maunders give excellent service , tasty cuts and at a decent price.

Ryders , far better cakes than you will get at a supermarket.

I'm afraid I disagree about the cakes at Ryders, I've often found them stodgy and either over or under cooked, although their cheese and onion pasties can't be beaten!

For doughnuts - Wee Shoppe Bakery, just fabulous every time.

For cheap but delicious carrot cake and a cuppa - Willos in Piermont Place.

For lovely paninis - No 1 cafe.

I also keep an eye on the local produce sold by Chrissie Taylor outside her flower shop, the strawberries, raspberries and runner beans in particular are local and tasty.

For ham - Bonne Bouche, cooked on the premises.

Thinking about it, Dawlish is quite well served for local goodies why do we need to buy stuff shipped in from miles away?

I agree with the local produce from Chrissie Taylors. Strawberries and tomato's are very tasty and local.

Mars bar slice from ryders is very tasty and the swiss rolls.

Wee shoppe bakery is also very good .

Bacon sandwich and a mug of tea. Pirates chest.

Pizza and a pint . Marine Tavern

Not a very healthy diet Mr/Mrs Warrener

The shop I use most is Poppadums, it's packed full of unusual but useful food/spices/household products. The Ecover refill station is handy for us

We often take visitors to Too Delicious, it has a great menu and nice relaxed atmosphere

The bread from Ryders is good too

I've also bought some lovely birthday gifts from various gift shops - particularly Emotions, next to Boots

(The drycleaner deli is a new one on me!)

Re the dry cleaner deli - I noticed when I was in Queen Street the other day that the shop window is now being used to display breads and other things. Also, he seems to have even more edibles in his shop now than he did two weeks ago.

Perhaps it should have a name change from "Proudly Pressed" to the the "Deli Drycleaner" or something similar.

I like the drycleaner very much and go in whenever I am in Dawlish. I also like Poppadums, Wee Shoppe and Lloyd Maunder's (for pies and smoked bacon), although I normally use the Teignmouth branches. I would add Deli Delicious to the list for smoked fish and for cheese.

I think Dawlish and Teignmouth are better served for small specialist food shops than many other towns. Long may it last.

Don

It's a pity that all this very useful info can't be collated and reproduced for the benefit of all those who do not come onto this website but who live in, or visit, Dawlish

Chamber of Trade can you help? What about you Dawlish Gazette?