Rhodes Prices
Margaret says:
"Was shocked and taken aback to find the new Coffee/bread shop, Rhodes, in Greenwich town centre charging an extra 70p to put a slither of butter - which was actually soft margarine - on my 80p scone. On complaining about this,assistant said couldn't do anything about it, down to the owner!! Told them not a very clever thing to do,especially local residents!! Has anyone else had any bad experiences there??"
The Phantom replies:
I think they're still playing with their prices. When I went in there in the first couple of days, I had a pleasant chat with the American guy who seems to be in charge of the actual shop, and he asked me what I thought of the 'then' prices, saying that they didn't really know what to charge - I guess because there isn't a comparable outlet in the area - an actual shop rather than a stall, artisanal baked goods and a small sit-down area, though I was mildly surprised they hadn't visited other similar places in the capital to check out their prices, which, I'm guessing they have done now.
The thing is, is that this IS a tourist area, and the CAN get that sort of money for a scone and butter (are you sure it was marg?) when people are expecting to pay for a day out. I also suspect that the shop is not a cheap place to rent and the good old fashioned 'overheads' are kicking in. It's probably not just representing the price of the spread, but also the fact that you'll be sitting down' to consume it. I'm not sure if there are different tax prices if a scone stops being a 'raw material' and becomes in the government's eyes 'a sit down meal.' Maybe someone can enlighten me?
BUT. In the winter months especially, when the tourists aren't forthcoming and they rely on us locals, especially with the looming recession, 70p for a scrape of butter does seem a bit excessive, even if you're paying realistic wages to your staff (you are paying realistic wages to your staff, guys, now, aren't you..?)
Here's a thought, Rhodes guys. Why not do a residents' discount - I don't know - free butter on your bun or something - easy enough created by talking to the GreenwichCard department at the Council. Giving us locals a discount will create a hell of a lot more goodwill than it will cost you in butter, and it will keep us coming through thick and thin.
Or maybe a loyalty card? I have about four of them for Beehive, as I keep forgetting to bring them with me, but I'm determined that one day I'll bring them all together and get myself a free flat white.
I still love Rhodes. I'm not quite so fond of their brownies as their other stuff - mine was really rather dry and sugary but those raspberry custard tarts, the giant meringues and, yes - those scones - are fab. IMHO it's a massive contribution to Greenwich Town centre, and not just because it's a proper bakery where we only had Greggs before. It sends out a signal to other high quality shops that don't exclusively pander to the tourist trade that Greenwich is ready for nice food, friendly service and attractive surroundings. I'm a regular, so I'd most definitely appreciate a loyalty card system/Greenwichcard Discount/ both.
So what do you think? Is Rhodes losing it's shine, or do we need to be a little indulgent of a new, high quality business?
"Was shocked and taken aback to find the new Coffee/bread shop, Rhodes, in Greenwich town centre charging an extra 70p to put a slither of butter - which was actually soft margarine - on my 80p scone. On complaining about this,assistant said couldn't do anything about it, down to the owner!! Told them not a very clever thing to do,especially local residents!! Has anyone else had any bad experiences there??"
The Phantom replies:
I think they're still playing with their prices. When I went in there in the first couple of days, I had a pleasant chat with the American guy who seems to be in charge of the actual shop, and he asked me what I thought of the 'then' prices, saying that they didn't really know what to charge - I guess because there isn't a comparable outlet in the area - an actual shop rather than a stall, artisanal baked goods and a small sit-down area, though I was mildly surprised they hadn't visited other similar places in the capital to check out their prices, which, I'm guessing they have done now.
The thing is, is that this IS a tourist area, and the CAN get that sort of money for a scone and butter (are you sure it was marg?) when people are expecting to pay for a day out. I also suspect that the shop is not a cheap place to rent and the good old fashioned 'overheads' are kicking in. It's probably not just representing the price of the spread, but also the fact that you'll be sitting down' to consume it. I'm not sure if there are different tax prices if a scone stops being a 'raw material' and becomes in the government's eyes 'a sit down meal.' Maybe someone can enlighten me?
BUT. In the winter months especially, when the tourists aren't forthcoming and they rely on us locals, especially with the looming recession, 70p for a scrape of butter does seem a bit excessive, even if you're paying realistic wages to your staff (you are paying realistic wages to your staff, guys, now, aren't you..?)
Here's a thought, Rhodes guys. Why not do a residents' discount - I don't know - free butter on your bun or something - easy enough created by talking to the GreenwichCard department at the Council. Giving us locals a discount will create a hell of a lot more goodwill than it will cost you in butter, and it will keep us coming through thick and thin.
Or maybe a loyalty card? I have about four of them for Beehive, as I keep forgetting to bring them with me, but I'm determined that one day I'll bring them all together and get myself a free flat white.
I still love Rhodes. I'm not quite so fond of their brownies as their other stuff - mine was really rather dry and sugary but those raspberry custard tarts, the giant meringues and, yes - those scones - are fab. IMHO it's a massive contribution to Greenwich Town centre, and not just because it's a proper bakery where we only had Greggs before. It sends out a signal to other high quality shops that don't exclusively pander to the tourist trade that Greenwich is ready for nice food, friendly service and attractive surroundings. I'm a regular, so I'd most definitely appreciate a loyalty card system/Greenwichcard Discount/ both.
So what do you think? Is Rhodes losing it's shine, or do we need to be a little indulgent of a new, high quality business?
Labels: Cafes, Food and Drink, Rhodes bakery
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
07:16
18 Comments:
In case it was marge - I'm having a bit of a minor war with sandwich outlets on this - these days they call it 'spread' and its a splot of some chemical mix which they give you without the option on the grounds its 'healthy'(actually its cheap).
I notice the price of their lemon tarts has soared in recent weeks. What was good value now seems pretty steep!
I bought my usual quiche and sandwich and coffees and cake (not all for me!!!) the other day and it didn't seem anymore expensive than usual...
but if they are putting their prices up then that's not goodi n my book!
Noo, not putting the price up on the Lemon Tarts, they are the best thing ever.
However i'd stear clear of their sandwiches, i took a bit into my chicken and avacado and came out with a mouthful of undercooked pink chicken and bone which was not very nice.
It's a shame because it has potential to be a great little outlet but does seem very hit and miss.
I wonder if their cream horns are going up?
I'd gladly pay a penny more for a bun if (i) it's possible to speak to the people - mainly shortish girls it seems - behind the high glass counter (lots of customers' spittle spraying over the unwrapped croissants, um yummy) and (ii) they sort the barmy queuing system which does not explain 'queue here, pay there'. But I think we've covered this one before.
I guess all new businesses take time to get their prices right though. Hats off to food/bread etc.
I love the shop in general. But I've started to pick and choose; a single espresso is £1.40; that's more than Carluccio's, in the swanky West End, and frankly their coffee is way better. And the Monmouth stall charges £1.00, again for a much better coffee.
I don't mind paying extras for luxuries, but for everyday necessities (like coffee) it mounts up. Likewise, their bread is slightly more expensive than the cheese shop, who buy theirs in rather than manufacturing.
I am still a supporter, but if they're tinkering with prices, I'd like to see some go down, rather than everything go up, if I'm going to trek over more often.
Still not been in. But eat-in food is subject to VAT, whereas takeaway isn't - maybe this is some of the difference?
>> notice the price of their lemon tarts has soared in recent weeks.
I'm not surprised considering a single lemon in Sainsburys is 35p!! THIRTY FIVE PENCE!! For A (one) lemon.
I know it's probably shipped from the other side of the planet but even so! Limes only 15p.
Loyalty cards would be appreciated by Lewisham residents, who don't have access to Greenwich Cards, and would also be useful for those across the river too.
Isn't the point of loyalty cards for businesses to tempt customers to stick with them and not a local rival - both in offering and location (Caffe Nero, Costa etc.)
Rhodes hasn't got a rival as far as I can see.
Damned fine pain au chocolat, though.
Well, SoC, I do have a bit of a choice to make. Granted Beehive don't do cakes to any great extent, but if I'm just buying a coffee, I'd probably go to them instead of Rhodes. Buns, yeah - no competition...
TGP, fair point.
Although if I preferred coffee A to coffee B and B offered the 'one free coffee after buying nine'- I'd still go to A as I...er...prefer it.
(Haven't tried Rhodes coffee yet.)
Thank you Rhodes for finally bringing a quality product to Greenwich, it's been long overdue. I work in central London where the equivalent is Pauls.
Rhodes has filled a gap in the market that anyone who loves real food must be happy with.
For all others there is Gregs.
talking of rip off, I was at M&S the other and picked up a pack of 4 large bootles of water.
Funny enough, I did something I never do, I checked the price: £1.5
Then my eyes stumbled onto the single bottles that where just next to them: £0.35 ea.
Yep, that is £1.40 for 4...
Walked to the checkout and asked why the difference as typically, the more you buy, the less you pay (right?).
I was told that it is because the 4 were wrapped in a plastic and therefore you would pay the difference for the convenience of it...
More like charge more based on people's assumption that more is less...
Needless to say, I returned the pack of 4 and walked out!
On the Rhodes place, I noticed it only recently and the first thought that crossed my mind was 'oh no, not yet another coffee place'...
We finally got round to visiting Rhodes a couple of Sunday's ago after a vigourous park walk and got 2 slices of cake (one princess and one chocolate) and I think they were approx 3.50 each, which I thought was a little steep - however when we got home and sat down with them, the slices were HUGE and the cake was lovely!!
We also bought one of their mini cupcakes, which I think was one pound (Sorry my pound sign isn't working!) which was utterly tasteless! Good for cake, back for cupcakes!
I have stopped for coffee at Rhodes a few times now, and the service is great (along with their food): have to agree that the coffee at the Beehive is still the best in Greenwich, but for access to the ferry it's hard to top Rhodes.
I noticed today that they have started a loyalty programme there now: a voice (customer or staff, uncertain) clearly stated 'thanks to the Phantom' when it was brought up.
So congrats on the public service there!
I popped into Rhodes for the first time this afternoon to get dinner - the fougasse and savouries looked nice from outside.
Having spent my £7.50 on bread and two pastries I feel ripped off.
The fougasse with green olives was OK; but the "smoked haddock" tarts hardly had any fish to mention and the salmon and spinach roll was literally just spinach with no salmon to mention.
I love good bakeries (and might go back purely for the croissants which I miss since moving from Wandsworth, and therefore used to Cake Boy at Battersea Reach - the best in London IMO) but I get the niggly feeling this is not good value in my experience so far...
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