Qype: Planet Organic in London

London

I had to check out this new shop, just opened on Essex Road. There was a problem though… I had my bike with me. I looked around and the only place to secure it was a lamppost right on the edge of the curb. I’ve seen too many such lampposts with attached bikes that have fallen into the road and been mashed to be happy about that… I looked back at the shop. Nice wide aisles, not too crowded… and decided to take the bike in with me. Something I have done in other shops with mixed results! It’s sort of not done is it? But when have you ever seen a ‘no bikes’ sign?

Anyway I got most of the way round the shop, looking at the veggies, the hot food counter… found myself a jar of miso (so much more practical than sachets) when a woman came up and asked me to take the bike out, as it was a health and safety hazard. I asked her how exactly it was a health and safety hazard, was it going to attack someone maybe? Unable to come up with an answer, she disappeared into the back…

I was feeling sort of devilish, so when a guy appeared I was up for a good argument. I was informed that they just didn’t allow bikes. ‘You wouldn’t take it into the supermarket would you?’ Erm, actually my bike has been in Tesco, and anyway, as far as I could see I was actually in a supermarket right that minute. ‘You wouldn’t take it into a bank!’ Too right I would if there was no-where to park it. ‘It’s a health and safety hazard: if the pedal hit someone’s ankle we’d be liable’. I was being careful, but at last a halfway valid point. I did however point out that pushchairs, in that case, were just as much of a hazard. He shrugged, apparently seeing I also had a half valid point.. ‘You can’t leave a pushchair outside though’. Yes you can, you can take the child out and lock the chair up outside… (maybe I should have asked what he’d do about a bike with an occupied child seat…)

Anyway at that point he decided to stop arguing and just ask me firmly to take the bike out. I wasn’t quite done though, as I asked him how come a store that was supposed to be ethical hadn’t catered for bikes. He claimed they are applying for planning permission for bike racks. Seems a bit strange to me that they left it till after the store was re-built. Anyway, I calmly handed him my jar of miso and left, saying I’d be back when they got the bike racks. And spent quite a while after giggling to myself…

I don’t hate them for banning my bike, and I only argued because I was in the mood for a good debate. But it is a good point I think: what is a store like this doing without provision for bikes? Even the Tesco’s just down the road has loads of bike racks (where my bike has waited for me on several occasions). So one star lost.

What I really hate is stores that won’t let me go in with my cat in her basket…
Check out my review of Planet Organic - I am moonrising - on Qype