All very true, Marilyn. How interesting about your even smaller village. I thought Ashbourne was too small for all these additions but mind you, having said that, there are new housing developments going up all over the place here too. The marketing message strikes a false note: if the arrival of a new supermarket won’t impact on existing local businesses presumably serving the same potential customers why are they proposing to come at all? As you say, bargains are very appealing, and people are bound to seek them, as these supermarket companies know full well.

Mike, thanks for these tips. Both are on my current shopping list! I have also been told that their champagne and fillet steak is ‘the best’ by someone who should know! I’ll report back…

Hi Marion, there are two brands which I always buy at this store, Roasted and Ground Ethiopian 100% Arabica coffee which is divine and also Moser Roth chocolate, also divine and both sold at competitive prices. The new store in Ashbourne is a great improvement on those in Buxton and Derby, physically bigger with wider aisles and better car parking. I visited one of these stores recently in Italy where they had an in store bakery – but not in Ashbourne.

How interesting, Mike. There have been several responses to my post on Facebook as well, saying much as you do. I am obviously a late convert. Obviously, if you want great choice, or a specific brand, the old-fashioned supermarkets will be the answer, but for value and efficiency – and so far (after one day!) no real problems with quality – there can be no choice… I never dreamt I would be saying that!