Our Allotment Society does not have a shop but we know of an Allotment Society that does, Newal. The shop is a revelation. Firstly it is a shop! Most allotment shops are run from what looks like a bunker on the site. Secondly, Newal do not have any allotments anymore, but I do not know the reason for that, so it might not be true. Thirdly, it is only open on Saturday mornings. The revelation comes when step inside. The first room you step into is a little dim, there being no natural light except for the door you just come in. The air smells of earth. Pallets of compost and grow bags are stacked around the room. There is no heating so it can be relly cold, the sort that cuts to the bone. Off to the right is a door into the shop proper. In there it is all light and warm. There is a counter down the left side of the room behind which, up on the wall is the price list. On the other wall is shelving of things; little bottles of this and that, plastic pots, strings, ties, labels, tonic for plants and Jeyes fuild.
The chaps who run the shop are a bunch of characters; a small, slim, easy going fellow, a tall grumpy chap despite his demeanor can not help but help and middling sort a chap who is the runner and obviously serving his time before assending the ranks.
You have to get there early, especially at his time of year as they open extra early for the collection of seed potato, shallot and onion set orders that were placed before Christmas. Compost and fertiliser disppear with the steady flow of customers. Spend more than a few minutes inthe shop and some aged gardener will roll in, have a bit a banter with the chaps behind the counter, pay his dues then return to his car to supervise the loading.
They also sell powders and potions in small bags such old style fertilisers Blood, fish & bone or Onion fertilser, pelletised chicken manure, Lime etc. The things they sell are not bargain basment prices but they in no fuss bags filled from industrial size sacks so the price is a little less than Garden Centre prices. There is a knowledge of what is required. Bamboo canes are about 20mm 3/4inch thick not the 10mm 1/4inch items sold at garden centres. The chaps know what weight the canes are going to be under whilst holding up countless runner beans. The goods are normally the best quality for a reasonable price. For my part I would happily pay a little extra just to see them continue.
