Fine Fare

[koukou]

Does anyone else remember this shop chain/supermarket. It was late 70's early 80's. They were decorated a horrible orange colour, and I think the logo was two F's.... could be wrong on that bit.

[Stockcarfan]

Re: Fine Fare

I certainly do...... I used to work in a Fine Fare supermarket in 1980 on a Y.O.P. scheme. There logo was two curved F's one upright the other next to it upside down (I looked for the logo to post but can't find it). I didn't get taken on after the Y.O.P. year finished (cheap labour £23.50 pw), four years later i ended up working at a tyre garage/car accessory shop right opposite their main doors.

P.S. Yellow Pack T-Bags were disgusting.

It was my first ever job after leaving school.

[Heather74]

Re: Fine Fare

yep we had a local fine fare

[HG]

Re: Fine Fare

Yepper we had them

[sixtyten]

Re: Fine Fare

Think they sold out to either Tesco or Somerfield

..just checked it was sold to Gateway,who then became Somerfield
(or scummerfield,as its known in my neck of the woods)

[SG1973]

Re: Fine Fare

My auntie used to work in Fine Fare. Her bosses told the staff that they couldn't serve family members at their tills in case they were tempted to let them off with not paying for items.

[Wil]

Re: Fine Fare

But whatever happened to International (rather than the Likely Lads)?

and Timothy Whites?!

[joybee]

Re: Fine Fare

I work at the Co-op and we aren't allowed to serve Rellies either.

My biggest memory of Fine Fare was visiting it when I was expecting one of my kids. I was carrying a Gondola basket (who remembers them I wonder ??) and it had my new puppy inside - I passed out in the queue and the basket complete with pup went skating up the aisle and the first thing I saw as I came round was the puppy peeping over the top to see where I was !

[DoubleAgent]

Re: Fine Fare

But whatever happened to International (rather than the Likely Lads)?

and Timothy Whites?!

I think International were taken over by Gateway (later Somerfield). Our local International closed but the nearest one turned into Gateway. I have an International writing pad with the butchers on the logo.

We also had a Liptons - that brings back memories. And (I think it was a local thing) Dickies Discount

[sixtyten]

Re: Fine Fare

VG stores!

[Buzz]

Re: Fine Fare

Remember also Wavy Line shops?

Buzz

[Homer'sWife]

Re: Fine Fare

Think they sold out to either Tesco or Somerfield

..just checked it was sold to Gateway,who then became Somerfield
(or scummerfield,as its known in my neck of the woods)

Also known as Scummerfield or Scummers here in Devon!!

[tonyfoster61]

Re: Fine Fare

I used to work for Fine Fare - 1978 - 85 as a W.E.P. then as a Butcher in various stores around the midlands and the south.

Attached is a photo of the doors from one of their stores - you can see the 'FF' logo on the door handles.

[sixtyten]

Re: Fine Fare

Hold on, I'll just go fetch my microscope

[Hobittual]

Re: Fine Fare

What about Macfisheries, I remember the store that is now Somerfield in my town, opening with a big splash as Macfisheries. within a couple of months it had turned to Gateway and subsequently Somerfield.
Incidentally, gateway stores were owned by the Tate family, as in Sharon Tate, murdered by Charles Manson.