I'll take your word for it - but surely they should be putting the effort in and not you!!!!

Rather than putting in "effort", I prefer just to be polite - irrespective of whether I get a response or not.

For those shops that do reciprocate I have found a relationship of mutual banter develops. I then find that it is these shops that I refer to when recommended somewhere or just talking positively about them.

Yes I agree - but if people are not polite back than why bother - what goes round doesn't always seem to come round

I use the Bubbles store at the end of Gabriel Street, next to Babur as it is my nearest shop. It is a very friendly and incredibly well stocked shop for it's size. They are competitive too on many items compared to the big players. I would still use them just as much even if Sainsbury's comes to HOP - but I do think there are some products such as a good range of fresh meat / fish that are just not available anywhere in HOP so it will be great to have more on offer.

I agree with Cheeky. Most of the shops on the parade are a disgrace- dirty, poorly stocked, expensive, not to mention their arbitrary card handling fees that they just make up on the spot.

I really cant wait for a Sainsburys to open up. It will either encourage the other shops to buck up their ideas or put them out of business.