Window Shopping...: Small marrows, big marrows, and even a touch of the Harvey Nicks
Nicole Veash visits... Billericay High Street, Esse
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Billericay is home to rebel Tory MP Teresa Gorman and well-to- do Essex types. But is it a retail heaven, Window Shopper asks.
Goodspeed: This traditional fishmonger has a glistening display of seafood which tempts all passers-by. As there is no glass dividing the front of the shop from the pavement, Window Shopper can get really close and have a good snoop. Squid, sea bass, slabs of shark? Not today; instead stock fantasy shopping basket with soft herring roe, pounds 2.60 per lb and jellied eels pounds 1.70 per lb.
Billericay Fruit and Veg Shop: Independent grocers trump supermarket chains every time. This shop has a quirky assortment of produce. Window Shopper spied shiny star fruit, knobbly fresh lychees, squash, marrows, baby marrows, (there's a difference) and sturdy Jack-and-the-Beanstalk- like green beans.
Window Shopper also enjoys exploring at the back of the store where lurk packets of sugar-frosted continental biscuits and tins of fat, oily olives.
Decide to play safe today. Choose a pound of bananas, 49p, and bottle of fizzy water 59p. Get tempted by late summer blooms lying by the window, pounds 1.50.
Alexander's Bakery: Window Shopper is unable to peer through the bottle- thick porthole windows of the old bakery. Instead, hover at the entrance and spy a forlorn gingerbread teddy bear for 30p. Add him to the virtual shopping basket.
Clinton Cards: Yawn, this is your basic cardshop. Pooh Bear, Hallmark, lots of pink. And they still do those ghastly "Forever Friends" cards (pounds 1.20-ish). Well, always need something in the drawer for relatives. Buy one and move swiftly on.
Roseby's Curtain and Linen shop: Window Shopper thought the concept of having "linen" died with 1950s-style housewifery. Obviously not. Reluctantly purchase two packs of red and white tea towels (pounds 2.99).
N. Shelley: Billericay's answer to Harvey Nicks. Since buying the tea towels has depressed Window Shopper, decide to be extravagant, impractical and a real floozy all at once. Choose teensy tortoiseshell embossed handbag at pounds 36.50.
Total cost of Window Shopper's basket: pounds 47.87
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments