With regard to the off-licence, I agree that it is is one of the mostmiserable retail units ever.

My theory is that the owners of the off-licence do not approve of selling alcohol. This view is not one without merit - given the high cost of drunkeness to the wider economy, though this does seem rather limiting for an off-license (a bit like a barber disapproving of hair cuts).

Nevertheless, that seems to be the off-license's position, and not accepting cards is their way of supporting the cause of not selling alcohol.

Even without the forthcoming Sainsbury, there are other outlets to buy alcohol in HOP (at least if you extend to Brockley Rise), so there appears to be little need to go to the "offie".