Dervish Has Gone: What Next?

By News Editor 2 years ago

Tabitha discusses Dervish’s recent closure and its implications for high street businesses.

On the 19th of December, Dervish took to Facebook to announce the closure of their shop. I’ve always been a bit more of an Empire girl (St Andrews, not British) but, for some, this announcement was akin to the Grinch stealing Christmas. Dervish, formerly on 13 Bell Street, was a typical kebab shop, with a menu pushing pizza, chips and doner kebabs as its highlights. One third of the TTT (naturally, the Turkish Triple Threat of Dervish, Empire and Shawarma House), it was a firm favourite amongst those who consider a lethal mash-up of doner, cheesy chips and curry sauce as fine dining. No judgement though, if you’re at this stage on the five levels of intoxication, food quality probably is the least of your worries.

Despite providing a safe space for spinning heads, Dervish was less competent at spinning the cash out of our pockets. From what I can remember, you could only use the card machine for payments over a tenner, meaning that Dervish automatically lost out on customers who either weren’t carrying cash or weren’t prepared to fork out on soft chips. My own experiences of Dervish can be sweetly surmised by one St Fessdrews post, crafted on a dark October night in 2020: “I treat my one-night stands like I treat my Dervish: only because it’s the best option available at 3am and I’m p*ss blind drunk.” Dervish must have come to realise that a lack of seriously drunk people, thanks to the pandemic, also tends to result in a lack of seriously good business.

Credit: Unsplash

Forgetting the effects of Covid-19 for a moment, Dervish’s closure is also indicative of a wider decline in high street consumerism. The ease of ordering food online, accelerated by companies such as Deliveroo and our very own Ecoeats, is partly responsible for this, meaning that more and more small businesses serving cheap food have struggled to stay alive, unable to compete with restaurants who can afford to pay delivery costs. It’s not just food: the ability to order anything from paint stripper to painted strippers, renders an internet search a little more exciting than a meander down any old market street. Places like Dervish, where the average customer spends less than a fiver, just can’t compete. The excitement of online shopping is also not to be ignored – with the dopamine hits proven to be better than what you get from gambling, you really don’t need to get shady with acid when you’ve got access to Amazon.

Pushing the wonders of the internet aside, the fall of the high street can also be attributed to workers requesting living wages over the bare minimum. Instead of inspiring businesses to either raise their prices or do better, this has resulted in the cutting down of staff and the inevitable closure of many small businesses. Having to sponsor workers through the last few years, albeit with the support of Sunak’s generous furlough scheme, was the final nail in the coffin for companies already struggling to keep their heads above water. With the FT warning that the UK has had the weakest wage growth of all G7 countries since the 2008 Financial Crisis and the pandemic wreaking havoc on our shopping abilities, it’s not difficult to see why people find life easier online where you can sort your fingerless gloves, spun from the wool of baby alpacas, in price from lowest to highest.

Credit: Unsplash

Parking problems and a lack of serious infrastructure is also something that is sucking the life out of the average high street. Up and down the country, a shortage of both easily accessible and affordable parking has made securing spaces tougher than getting a ticket to Welly Ball. This scarcity has made access to many high streets just impossible for people who live beyond the centre of towns.

So, how can we revive our high streets? Government investment is paramount, yet it is up to the individual consumer to share the mantle of responsibility. Here in St Andrews, there are some obvious lifestyle changes that we can all make to ensure that the big brands, steadily closing in on Market Street, are kept at bay. Let’s start with the most painful: cancelling that Pret subscription. Yes, I know, waiting in the queue does make up 50% of your social life and, at £20 a month for basically unlimited coffee, it’s unquestionably economical. Slipping in for a cheeky Pret at 4.55pm just does hit different. Yet, when it comes down to the questions of whether the coffee is firstly, actually that good and secondly, where your money is going (because it’s always going somewhere) the answers suddenly become less clear-cut. The drinks themselves are hardly delectable and the reality of Pret-A-Manger monopolising customers from all other locally owned and – dare I say it – better coffee houses with its garish windows and tacky subscription is just upsetting. I hate to say it but, if you can’t afford to drink as much coffee elsewhere as you can get in Pret for nearly nothing, then maybe you shouldn’t be drinking that much. If you’re not being hit by the cost, then someone else is. In St Andrews, this means that the real price of your never-ending trips to Pret is being paid by the owners of places like Taste who will never be able to compete.

Credit: Unsplash

The title of this article is “Dervish Has Gone: What Next?” Really, it should be “Dervish Has Gone: Who Next?”. The rise of Pret in St Andrews is a grim omen of what is to come. Already budget mini markets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s are seducing shoppers away from locally run butchers and groceries. Their products may be more expensive but their customers can shop assured that their spending will only be supporting local economies and therefore local people. Can the same be said about Subway?

The same could certainly be said about Dervish, which, for all of its shortcomings, wasn’t that bad. A fine competitor in the food that isn’t food market, a proud member of the triple threat alongside Empire and Shawarma House and, though fallen, a soldier nonetheless in the fight for the high-street.

Comments

comments

87 thoughts on “Dervish Has Gone: What Next?”

  1. Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!

    Reply

  3. Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a very good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

    Reply

  4. I have learn a few just right stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot attempt you put to create such a fantastic informative website.

    Reply

  6. Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always interesting to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their websites.

    Reply

  9. Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to grasp so much about this, such as you wrote the book in it or something. I believe that you could do with a few percent to pressure the message house a little bit, however other than that, that is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.

    Reply

  13. Thanks for your ideas. One thing we have noticed is banks and also financial institutions have in mind the spending behavior of consumers and understand that most of the people max out and about their credit cards around the breaks. They prudently take advantage of this kind of fact and commence flooding your inbox and also snail-mail box along with hundreds of no interest APR card offers just after the holiday season finishes. Knowing that if you are like 98 of all American general public, you’ll hop at the possible opportunity to consolidate card debt and transfer balances for 0 apr interest rates credit cards.

    Reply

  15. After checking out a number of the blog posts on your blog, I seriously appreciate your way of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site as well and let me know your opinion.

    Reply

  23. Good blog! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

    Reply

  24. Interesting article. It is very unfortunate that over the last years, the travel industry has already been able to to handle terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, bird flu virus, swine flu, as well as the first ever entire global economic depression. Through everthing the industry has proven to be robust, resilient as well as dynamic, finding new strategies to deal with difficulty. There are generally fresh issues and chance to which the market must yet again adapt and react.

    Reply
  25. Pingback: joker gaming

  32. After I initially commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive four emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Cheers.

    Reply

  38. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.

    Reply

  40. I am not certain the place you’re getting your information, however great topic. I must spend some time studying more or working out more. Thank you for excellent info I used to be searching for this info for my mission.

    Reply
  41. Pingback: lahore jobs
  43. Pingback: austin jobs

  53. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this during my search for something regarding this.

    Reply

  54. It is perfect time to make some plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this publish and if I may just I desire to suggest you some attention-grabbing issues or tips. Maybe you can write subsequent articles regarding this article. I want to read more things about it!

    Reply

  55. I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it?s rare to see a nice blog like this one today..

    Reply

  56. Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vivid clear concept

    Reply

  57. Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to come back yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

    Reply

  58. One important thing is that when you find yourself searching for a education loan you may find that you will want a cosigner. There are many scenarios where this is correct because you might discover that you do not use a past credit ranking so the lender will require that you’ve got someone cosign the financial loan for you. Great post.

    Reply

  59. I have viewed that smart real estate agents just about everywhere are getting set to FSBO ***********. They are acknowledging that it’s not just placing a sign in the front place. It’s really regarding building relationships with these suppliers who later will become consumers. So, once you give your time and energy to aiding these traders go it alone — the “Law associated with Reciprocity” kicks in. Great blog post.

    Reply

  61. Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no backup. Do you have any methods to protect against hackers?

    Reply

  64. I cherished up to you will obtain carried out proper here. The cartoon is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nevertheless, you command get got an edginess over that you want be turning in the following. ill surely come more beforehand once more as precisely the same nearly a lot regularly within case you protect this increase.

    Reply

  67. Hi there, I do think your site might be having internet browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, fantastic website.

    Reply

  68. Hi there, You’ve done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this website.

    Reply

  71. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and engaging, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that too few people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I found this in my search for something concerning this.

    Reply

  72. Thanks for your posting on the traveling industry. I will also like contribute that if you are a senior taking into consideration traveling, its absolutely essential that you buy traveling insurance for elderly people. When traveling, older persons are at greatest risk of experiencing a health emergency. Buying the right insurance policies package for the age group can safeguard your health and give you peace of mind.

    Reply

  75. sandyterrace.com
    Fang Jifan은 앞으로 나아가 그를 걷어차는 제스처를 취했습니다. “개야, 너무 느려.”Fang Jifan은 심호흡을했습니다. “감히 폐하에게 물어보십시오. 이 분노의 이유가 무엇입니까?”

    Reply

  76. A further issue is that video games are normally serious naturally with the principal focus on finding out rather than fun. Although, it has an entertainment part to keep your children engaged, just about every game is generally designed to work on a specific expertise or area, such as mathmatical or scientific disciplines. Thanks for your posting.

    Reply

  86. One more thing. In my opinion that there are quite a few travel insurance web sites of reputable companies that allow you enter your journey details and get you the insurance quotes. You can also purchase the particular international travel insurance policy on the web by using your current credit card. Everything you should do is usually to enter all your travel particulars and you can view the plans side-by-side. Only find the plan that suits your finances and needs and use your credit card to buy that. Travel insurance online is a good way to check for a reliable company regarding international holiday insurance. Thanks for revealing your ideas.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

THE STAND