Fine Fare

[George 1978]

Re: Fine Fare

The only time I remember going to a Fine Fare was the one in West Bridgford in around 1985-1986 - I vaguely remember that they sold a lot more than just food.

[nimrod]

Re: Fine Fare

Just stumbled across this site and saw a number of postsabout the Supermarkets Fine Fare.
I started work in 1961 at £4.2s.6p per week(£4.12) for 5 and a half days, atthe London and Newcastle Tea company, originally from Newcastle but purchasedby the Associated British Food Group owned by the late W.Garfeild Weston(Ryvita, Sunblest, Westons, Burtons Coopers etc, and FINE FARE) The first FF inthe North East was Cockerton Darlington,4000Sq.Ft soon eclipsed by theNorthgate, Darlington store 6500 Sq.Ft.
Weston relocated some thirty Canadian managers from his Canadianbusiness LOBLAWS to show us brits how to run large stores, Lenny Hanna andNelson Sianchuck were based in the NE area. Who learned what is debatable!.
These were the first real supermarkets, fully self servicewith no counters at all, everything pre-packaged.
One subscriber asked about VG Stores, these were in factindependent grocers, who were contacted to purchase their wholesale requirementsfrom a regional VG Wholesaler. In return, they benefitted from corporate identity,national and regional advertising, professional specialist support, and forwardplanning. I spent twelve years with Joshua Wilson Brother ( also the pioneersof Cash and Carry in the UK) where I supported grocers from Berwick to Barnsleywith fresh food specialist training, and Public Relations work.
Between these employments I worked in Darlington’s FW Woolworth store where I was managing theFresh Food operation…..yes Woolworth’s did, in some larger stores, sell BaconCheese, Fresh meat, Cooked meats, Continental meats, yogurts and fruit and veg.

[Petemax]

Re: Fine Fare

I used to be a manager for Liptons...oh what great memories...ah

[Johnny]

Re: Fine Fare

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.

I worked at fine fare from school in 1979. Had a change for a bit in 1986 then went back as they where turning into a Gateway. After almost going bust most of the shops sold to ASDA which kept me occoupied until 2014!

[old codger]

Re: Fine Fare

Although many now defunct shops have been mentioned no one has mentioned David Grieg, a competitor to Sainsburys with a similar ethos and store presentation.

[Richard1978]

Re: Fine Fare

If you take a trip to Blackpool, the now Wilko's store still has the Fine Fare logo in it's stonework along the side. It must be 30 years since Fine Fare used the building.

I've seen a few pictures of that online.

[mikebuk]

Re: Fine Fare

If you take a trip to Blackpool, the now Wilko's store still has the Fine Fare logo in it's stonework along the side. It must be 30 years since Fine Fare used the building.

[amethyst]

Re: Fine Fare

I remember the music they used to play

[dave6365]

Re: Fine Fare

[Jacqueline]

Re: Fine Fare

Was their catchphrase "Fair (Fare) to your family and to your purse" or have I dreamt that?

[Richard1978]

Re: Fine Fare

There have been so many take overs with supermarkets over the years that it is difficult to keep track. Wiki has a good page listing current UK supermarkets as well as all of those we remember fondly and when they closed/ who bought them out. I never realised the UK once had seven-elevens!

I didn't either, quite a few American retailers have opened shops here & not lasted.

[Trickyvee]

Re: Fine Fare

There have been so many take overs with supermarkets over the years that it is difficult to keep track. Wiki has a good page listing current UK supermarkets as well as all of those we remember fondly and when they closed/ who bought them out. I never realised the UK once had seven-elevens!

[Hair Bear]

Re: Fine Fare

Out high street shops only cover about half a mile but we had them all! Liptons, FineFare, Macfisheries, VG, International, Timothy Whites, Bejam and Grenville. International were taken over by Gateway, and Timothy Whites were taken over by Boots I think. VG were taken over by something blue - early Co-op maybe?

[chaosdemon23]

Re: Fine Fare

Found this on Facebook, one of my local Fine Fares

[Roxxy]

Re: Fine Fare

Yes, I well remember Fine Fare- it used to be advertised on TV by the late Gordon Jackson. We never shopped there, but only because there was never a local branch where we were living.