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Sandwich bar rivalry is a touchy sub-ject

7:00pm Sunday 17th August 2008

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JUST how many sandwiches can one town eat?

That's the question being asked in Christchurch, which now has at least 16 outlets selling sandwiches at a time when four per cent inflation means home-made lunch boxes are the fashion.

Two new baguette bars have recently opened, offering a wide range of fillings.

Janette Robinson at Baggies, which has been serving up sarnies for 15 years, is unhappy about the arrival of newcomer Subway, a few doors down the High Street.

Subway sent out a warning that it did not like Mrs Robinson's sign advertising "Baggies' sub deal - a freshly made sub of your choice and a bag of Walker's crisps for £1.95".

"Subway are threatening me with legal action because I'm selling subs and it's a registered trade mark," said Mrs Robinson.

"I've got to take my sign down. I was here first and I've always done subs."

She and husband Ian have complained to the council about the number of food takeaways setting up shop without A3 planning permission.

But the council has told them it is not needed, a fact confirmed to the Daily Echo.

Mr Robinson has counted 18 establishments where sandwiches can be bought.

"You don't need that. You need more retail outlets to bring people into the town and then they will stay for coffee and lunch," said his wife.

Subway franchisee Martin Graves said the company "believes there is a market for a new store in Christchurch".

He added that it had been decided not to take legal action over Baggies' advert.

Another sandwich bar, Rumbles, has recently opened its doors. Partner Tracy Forbes said business had been good.

"I'm not like any other sandwich bars because our sandwiches are not ready-made. We make them to order and we have a salad bar," she said.

Diana and Bernie Wood have been running Little Venice cafe in Bargates for 20 years.

Mrs Wood said: "It's really good and healthy to have competition. It keeps you on your toes and makes you aware there are people out there doing the same thing.

"But you can have too much of a good thing."

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Your Say YourThisisdorset

2Much, New Forest says...
7:24pm Sun 17 Aug 08

Like Mrs. Wood said, it's good to have healthy competition, but now the corporate big wigs have moved in, competition should be last on the agenda, and the smaller businesses should stick together. Why does anywhere need a "Subway"?

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Charlie, says...
8:38pm Sun 17 Aug 08

"Subway are threatening me with legal action because I'm selling subs and it's a registered trade mark," said Mrs Robinson.
Subway shold sue Sainsurys then - they sell subs, and I expect other supermarkets do too. So how can they say it's a registered trademark?

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Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West says...
9:06pm Sun 17 Aug 08

Christchurch allows all the licences for these sandwich bars, yet take a way a what was once a very good cafe.

Threats of legal action because of a name. Watch out Christchurch Council you might be sued for building a new Subway in town. Please remember to call it an Under Pass.

. .
~

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Emulated, Bournemouth says...
9:20pm Sun 17 Aug 08

Thanks for the story Echo. There was never much in Christchurch, now theres even less. I will avoid it, not worth the petrol.

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ActrosMan, Poole says...
6:33am Mon 18 Aug 08

Subway are threatening me with legal action because I'm selling subs and it's a registered trade mark," said Mrs Robinson.


The World's navies had better look out then!

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Phil, Poole says...
8:48am Mon 18 Aug 08

It's far cheaper to make your own sandwiches - and that way you'll also know exactly what's in them. Didn't anyone see that recent TV documentary on ready-made sandwiches?

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Mike, Bournemouth says...
8:51am Mon 18 Aug 08

Janette - you'll be fine. To get something to eat in Subway involves answering 14 questions - far too stressful when you end up with a rubbery roll!

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emma1119995, branksome park says...
11:39am Mon 18 Aug 08

i hate subway - down with subway!!

whatever filling you choose they all taste the same anyway! disgusting!

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michael carpenter, BOSCOMBE says...
11:43am Mon 18 Aug 08

SUBS ARE A TYPE OF BREAD ROLL AND HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER THAT NAME IN MANY SHOPS AND STORES FOR MANY YEARS AND SUBWAY ONLY HAS TRADEMARK TO THE SUBWAY NAME NOT THE NAME OF THE BREAD ROLL.
GOOD LUCK TO JANETTE AS I HAVE ENJOYED HER ROLLS WHEN I HAVE VISTED CHRISTCHURCH.

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michael carpenter, BOSCOMBE says...
11:44am Mon 18 Aug 08

SUBS ARE A TYPE OF BREAD ROLL AND HAVE BEEN SOLD UNDER THAT NAME IN MANY SHOPS AND STORES FOR MANY YEARS AND SUBWAY ONLY HAS TRADEMARK TO THE SUBWAY NAME NOT THE NAME OF THE BREAD ROLL.
GOOD LUCK TO JANETTE AS I HAVE ENJOYED HER ROLLS WHEN I HAVE VISTED CHRISTCHURCH.

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denis, bournemouth says...
12:14pm Mon 18 Aug 08

If Subway take legal action they will only get egg on their face !!!

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gunters goonies, christchurch says...
12:59pm Mon 18 Aug 08

as i live in christchurch, i feel the coucil would do better getting some more clothes shops, and updating saxon square, also the amount of coffee houses we have. With another one opening. If i wanted to buy clothes locally all i have is Butons to choose from. Try to atract smaller versions of the shops at castlepoint. So i dont have to get angry every time im stuck in traffic going there, or trying to get out of there brillant car park.....

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kinson res, kinson says...
2:28pm Mon 18 Aug 08

emma1119995 wrote:
i hate subway - down with subway!! whatever filling you choose they all taste the same anyway! disgusting!
true,too much bread and tasteless fillings,ive had one,never again.

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butlincat, bournemouth says...
3:49pm Mon 18 Aug 08

the prices these outlets charge is ridiculous,for a couple of bits of bread,cheap imported tasteless margerine and tasteless filling,subway being the worst of these so-called food outlets.Always take your own sandwiches,and stop paying for these parasites mortgages on their luxurious dwellings and adding to their rocketing profits!

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Paul W, Charminster, Bomo says...
4:37pm Mon 18 Aug 08

do they get many police in??
Whats the parking like?

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Wigie, Bournemouth says...
4:57pm Mon 18 Aug 08

"Subway are threatening me with legal action because I'm selling subs and it's a registered trade mark," said Mrs Robinson.
Maybe my colleague and I should sue Subway for giving us food poisoning on 2 separate occasions. I would never have another sub from Subway again!

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Green Manalishi, Hengistbury Head says...
10:32pm Mon 18 Aug 08

I think they should turn Christchurch into a factory outlet type place along the lines of Street. Saxon square would lend itself very well to this. Just need to sort out the parking! Give Castlepoint a run for it's money.

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jayne, ringwood says...
4:34pm Wed 20 Aug 08

christchurch, the boring town on the south coast. get more shops that people can buy clothes ect and not just charity shops and sandwich shops.

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Rich W, bournemouth says...
9:26pm Fri 22 Aug 08

So far as I am aware, and I am happy to be corrected on this, the counter-staff at Baggies do not have Basic Food Hygiene Certificates, whereas all Subway staff have ?????

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lawrek03, christchurch says...
8:41am Sat 13 Sep 08

Christchurch Council need to have a bit more of a coherent plan about what they're trying to do with what's a jewel in the surrounding urban sprawl. As a newcomer to the town, one of the refreshing things about the Priory area is that it's that it's relatively chain-shop free, plus it has some GREAT SANDWICH BARS. Ronnies, Little Venice, Wishes, Blend (kids sized smoothies and more) - all independents - why blight the high street with something that's neither use nor ornamental? Talking of which, I'm putting aside a bit of my pension each week to have a coffee at the new Gary Rhodes place on Bridge Street, anyone been?

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Comments are closed on this article.

CUTTING UP ROUGH: Janette Robinson of Baggies CUTTING UP ROUGH: Janette Robinson of Baggies

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