Trolley 550

Trolley 550 was picked up outside Epsom Station yesterday afternoon, in the margins of a visit to the opticians. The smallest size of trolley from an M&S food hall, presumably the one in Epsom, although it might have been walked from the Dorking Road BP service station, assuming they do trolleys there at all. None in sight in Street View, so perhaps a site visit is called for.

Note cup marking the spot of the usually seated bearded indigent, who was in the vicinity, but who had vacated his seat on this (cold) afternoon.

Just by the opticians, I noticed 'to let' signs outside the 'Plaice to Eat', a quality fish and chip shop which we use occasionally. All the equipment was still there, as were boxes for takeaways, but it was firmly shut and without lights. And flagged as 'closed' by Tripadvisor now, a time of day when it should be open. It will be a shame if they have gone down. Perhaps they had been living on borrowed time, on credit, and the creditor finally had to pull the plug. 

We look from reference 2 to have last used the place getting on for three years ago, so we cannot claim to have been big supporters. Just a positive attitude to the place.

Onto Wilko to investigate small clocks, to find a very tired upstairs. Lots of empty shelves and generally a rather closing down sale appearance. While a proportion of the previously manned tills downstairs have been converted to a rather basic form of self-service. The place did not appear to be thriving. And they have been in the news recently over a spot of refinancing, for which see reference 3. Perhaps all is not well at all. Another place I do not make that much use of, useful place though it is.

And on past the Rifleman (tempted) and down Hook Road where, on a narrow bit of pavement, a young man was heading my way on his bicycle while reading something on his mobile phone. I held onto the middle of the pavement. To be fair, he did stop, pull over and apologise. Notwithstanding, I would make using a mobile phone while on a moving bicycle an instant fine offence. Far too much of it about.

PS: while at the opticians, I was once again impressed by the array of electro-optical equipment on show. The need for which must mean that the sole practitioner is extinct. All chains who can afford to be in hock to the equipment suppliers. Who are, no doubt, not from the UK. But they were not able to offer any reasonable alternative to my shades, not proof against low flying sun, as noticed, for example, at reference 4.

References

Reference 1: https://psmv5.blogspot.com/2022/12/trolley-549.html.

Reference 2: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/search?q=plaice+eat.

Reference 3: https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2022/11/wilko-cash-injection/.

Reference 4: https://psmv5.blogspot.com/2022/12/soiffed-again.html.

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