West Bridgford Wiki

Once upon a time ASDA (Associated Dairies) was the GEM and touted as the biggest supermarket in Europe. Then it had a smaller floor area everything was stacked high in cardboard boxes. Now owned by the American company Walmart the floor area is expanded and there is a second floor, but I suspect it is now only the largest supermarket in West Bridgford, and sadly it no longer sells American DC and Marvel comics which were my chief reason for going there as an adolescent. ASDA has the longest opening hours often claiming 24 hour opening but this does vary with public holidays and Sunday trading laws.

The Co-op used to be a horrible place with a blank wall fronting the street and a side entrance aimed primarily at the car park and the motorist. Co-op is now much improved with a store front to Bridgford Road.

The Co-op stocks a surprisingly large range of food stuffs for a small store, has terrific opening hours, is home to the main post office and has the Welsh clothing retailer “Peacocks” in store. (I say Welsh as the headquarters is now in Cardiff but I believe Frank Peacock started the enterprise in Warrington). It is reassuring to know that “Peacocks” is a reference to the owners family name rather than a style of dressing. Bring back the divi number I say. At least now you do need to be a member to enjoy a share of the profits. There is a second, smaller Coop supermarket in Edwalton and a 7/11 convenience shop further up Bridgford Rd. near the cricket ground which oddly opens no later than the main shop.

Morrisons' green grocery and fish markets are a joy. Although the prices are nothing to write home about I enjoy a visit to Morrisons more than any other food shopping trip because I can walk there (or cycle) along the Grantham Canal and see the Swans, Coots, Moorhens and Mallards| on route along with the beautiful gardens and splendid innovations for recreational access to the canal by those residents who have properties backing onto the water side.

Why Iceland's down market advertising irritates me so much I don't know. Majoring on GM free products Iceland sells high quality frozen products including a range of exotic meats and fish at excellent prices. Iceland are one of the first retailers to get rid of the horrible BOGOF marketing trend. Iceland's part baked frozen breads, bread in a box, mixed rolls, croissants etc were excellent and I would make a special journey to get them. Sadly this range is no longer stocked in the Bridgford shop.

Both Morrisons and ASDA have petrol stations.

It should perhaps be mentioned that the remarkable B&M is just across the river in Ladybay trading park and a little further down the road is Lidl. For the big, largely canned food shop and for dog food I confess Lidl is my man.