Hastings Forum

The Wetherspoons in Bexhill will be opening its open air rooftop terrace next month
At last a sign that things are starting to get back to normal.

Also for those living & shopping in Bexhill it seems that the co-op supermarket has been
sold to Jempsons and will close in April.

Some good news. Thanks!

Hopefully, it is the Co-op in Western Road which will be closing? The other one in Devonshire Road is a good one and very busy, would be disastrous if that one went.

I like popping down to Bexhill sometimes, peaceful, some nicer shops and a terrific (though expensive) old-fashioned mens' outfitters (Wards). And the Tool Shop is an old-style hardware shop too, manned by knowledgeable and weathered DIY guys and they stock everything!

seahermit wrote:Some good news. Thanks!

Hopefully, it is the Co-op in Western Road which will be closing?

Yes seahermit, it is the one in Western Road, I forgot for a moment that there are 2 co-ops

What does anyone think of Jempsons?
I think they are pretty dire.

Richard wrote:What does anyone think of Jempsons?
I think they are pretty dire.

So, why you think they are pretty dire. Is it the taste of the coffee ?
Do you find the cafe environment unpleasant or do you not like the service ?

I quite like Jempsons....not only are they a local ( East Sussex ) company but they also seem to use local suppliers when they can The supermarkets I can't comment on as I don't use them but before lock down I did go into the cafe in the town centre and could usually find a table to sit and they also used to have a newspaper rack with local & national papers for customers to look at when enjoying their refreshments. Also they have a pretty varied range of cakes, pastries. Maybe they are not your ( started in London ) mainstream coffee shops Costa & Cafe Nero but I think they are Ok

I have to say that I don't like Jempsons' coffee very much, and the cups are smaller than those in some other cafes. And yes, I am related. I always enjoyed visiting the Waterstones cafe when it was open.

As a chain bakery Jempsons' promote lots of stodgy white flour starchy bread and pastry comestibles.
Mass-produced in batches and prepacked in cellophane.
Greggs are also a chain bakery using lots of packaging, but seem more popular as a take-away mainly.
Not sure about the coffee anywhere - I prefer tea!

I have heard that the Conquerors March on the ridge and The Clarence in Hastings
will also be opening on April 12th with outside tables.

I rather think there is going to be an almighty rush over the next few weeks .. to the pubs, the shops and Debenham's (a big scrum to get hands onto their remaining discounted stock!). Not the kind of leisurely activity I like at all.

Like everyone, I have been longing to look for one or two items, pick up a jazzy summer shirt maybe, but best to wait until it all calms down.

We still do not know when (or if) the Wetherspoons in Hastings will re-open.