'An absolutely fantastic idea' - Enfield's shock cash mob strikes again (From Enfield Independent)

Considering the prices Holtwhite's bakery charge, I think they are the last shop that needs the cash!

I don't agree at all. I found their prices fair for the quality they offer.

The bread is seriously good artisan bread- hand made, not factory steamed pap! You pay for what you get! Yummy, even as an occasional treat! Only place in town to buy chocolate buns or New york rye!

Regarding the Holtwhites comment...It doesn't cost much more than Greggs, yet the quality, taste and selection is far more superior...and best of all they are local & independent! We are lucky to have such a lovely shop in Enfield!

Anyone who has ever tasted "real" bread would know that it costs more for this kind of quality. One cannot equate the taste and quality and experience of going to a proper bakery with pleasant staff with buying a sliced loaf from Tesco priced 2 for £2.50. Holtwhites bread is not expensive, it is affordable luxury.

Whether it is an affordable luxury or not is surely something to be determined by individuals. The price may very well reflect the quality but to imply that it is accessible to many is misleading, most people simply cannot justify spending large chunks on their weekly food budget in this way. If they could, there would be no need for cash mobs supporting independents!

Thanks for joining in the debate Caroline. If people measured the value of the food they ate by how much it gave them nutritionally they would see that buying a whole wheat loaf without preservatives and e-numbers and full of good nutrition, is much better value than buying what might be a cheaper bread, that has much less wholesome nutrition in it.

I'd love for you to come along on one of these SHOCK Cash Mobs to truly experience how they work. This thinking is exactly the kind that we are challenging.

The idea is not to stop people spending in supermarkets entirely but to divert some of that cash into the local economy where the pound is worth more and does more. It's easy to believe that supermarkets are always cheaper but they are not. Sometimes the prices at independent shops are far more competitive than the prices in large chains because the independents have lower overheads and staff costs, so they gladly pass that saving onto the consumer.

The problem is, if we don't all make a conscious decision to support local and independent businesses, we will just get the high street that we deserve and that would be one, where there are only chains and no competition and those large chains can charge the prices they like, then they will have a monopoly. When they are the only suppliers of those goods, they are in a very powerful position and they can then charge exactly what they like and in the long term, that will be very expensive for the consumer indeed.

So, we need a delightful balance between supermarkets, some of which are actually independent businesses that have grown hugely successful and independent traders, so that we have the high street we truly deserve.

If you haven't been into Holtwhites Bakery, then please go and report back on your experience.

I have tried to change my shopping habits and shop more independently and I was scared that the costs would be extortionate but have been most pleasantly surprised when I have got far more for my money from places like Botany Bay Farm Shop, The Village Wholefood Store and Holtwhites, in comparison to a weekly shop at one of the larger supermarkets.
In these economically challenging times, we really do have to stand together and support each other.

Well said kmercer! you said about everything I would have said! I am convert to local shopping and enjoy the experience much more. We are all watching our spending in these difficult times but especially where food is concerned and in light of recent disgusting findings in our food - I would much rather give my hard earned money to a local business that has professionalism and provenance and can answer any queries about where the food and any of it's ingredients are sourced!

I have shopped at Holtwhite's bakery - and yes, the bread and cakes are delicious. However, they ARE more expensive than a supermarket. I can't even afford to shop there for a treat any longer.

I would love to support my local high street, but first I have to support my family. Therefore, I have to shop in the places that offer best value.

Firstly, thank you to the Enfield "cash mobbers" and to our loyal customers for your tremendous support! Like many local independent businesses, we work tirelessly to give our customers a unique product and service. Without your support and custom we would not survive.
It has been interesting to read comments about prices at Holtwhites Bakery. We appreciate that times are tough and we understand that people have to make choices about how to spend their hard-earned cash. Our bread and cakes are undeniably more expensive than some of the bread and cakes you can buy in supermarkets. We would like to take this opportunity to explain why briefly. Unlike supermarkets, we use quality ingredients, skilled local labour and traditional "slow" baking methods, and we will never use artificial additives or ingredients with spurious origins in order to speed up production or cut costs. This results in a better loaf in terms of flavour, nutritional value, environmental impact and local employment.
While some of our products may be considered luxury items, we want to make our bread as accessible as possible so we keep prices low on staple products. £2 for a large organic white or stoneground wholemeal tin loaf may not be cheap by supermarket standards, but it offers excellent value if you care about what you and your family eat and if you want to support your local economy.
The Enfield "cash mobs" have done a great job of raising awareness of fantastic local independent businesses that will only survive with your custom. And by shopping selectively it should be possible to get great value from your local high street even on a tight budget.

I must admit that I find this conversation disheartening. It is sad that it needs to be explained that something well made using quality ingredients by experts is going to cost a little more than something mass-produced using low quality ingredients. This is before we have even got to the issues of nutritional benefits, environmental benefits, the ethics of the supermarkets and the importance of supporting your community.

I will add my (grumpy old bag) voice to the debate and say that it is worth spending a little more on a quality product (of any kind) and that is doubly true when it comes to the food we feed ourselves and our families. Decent quality bread is, apart from being a joy, just much better for you. Savings can easily be made in other areas such as using a greengrocer or market for veg rather than a supermarket, staying away from big expensive chains for anything (though coffee is a great example) & sticking to smaller, independent shops.

It can be a little more faff to stick to local shops, I grant you that but it is worth the effort both for nutritional reasons and to support your local economy and keep our highstreets individual - or at least slow the creeping homogonisation taking place everywhere we look.