Local shopping for UK students

New Cross is a beautiful, well-connected, and buzzing place to live. With parks and markets on your doorstep and a rich and engaging nightlife around the area, there’re lots of cool places to explore and form life-long bonds with others. However, whether you’re fresh out of college or new to the area, shopping can be stressful. We’re here to make it easy. Take a look at our nifty guide to grocery shopping in the local area. 

Finding affordable groceries that taste delicious can be a challenge. No fear! There are plenty of places within walking distance from campus to get your groceries. 

Sainsbury’s Local 

Just opposite the university’s central building, The Richard Hoggart Building, you can find a small Sainsbury’s to grab any immediate necessities. Perhaps you need a quick Meal Deal to sort you out between studies, or maybe you’re dying for a cuppa and have run out of milk. The opening hours for this shop are a little longer than larger supermarkets, it’s open from 7 am until 11 pm, 7 days a week! The small Sainsbury’s is a good place to go for little bits and bobs within walking distance from campus, but it may be a little pricey for a whole shop, plus, there’s not as much variety. 

Sainsbury’s 

The Sainsbury’s by New Cross Gate Station is a superstore meaning it’s much larger than the Sainsbury’s Local. This is a good place to do a bigger food shop if you don’t want to go too far as it’s only a five-minute walk from campus. However, Sainsbury’s is slightly more expensive than other brands. Additionally, in this supermarket, you can find homeware, clothing, and a large array of foods which might be better suited if you have certain dietary preferences or requirements.  

Asda 

There are a few ASDAs dotted around the local area. You can find a smaller Asda in Deptford High Street and two much larger ones on Old Kent Road (a 36-minute walk away from campus or 14-minute bus ride) and in Lewisham (a 20 minute walk away from campus or a 12 minute bus ride). Asda was deemed the cheapest supermarket by Which? out of The Big Four – The Big Four being Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons. 

Tesco Extra 

In Surrey Quays, which is just a stop away or a 25-minute walk from Goldsmiths, you can find a big Tesco Extra. While Tesco Extra is still a little expensive, it’s great for vegans and is located within a shopping centre that contains The Range, Pound Land and various mobile phone and clothing stores. 

Aldi and Lidl 

Both Aldi and Lidl are much cheaper than most supermarkets, Aldi being marginally cheaper than Lidl. You’ll find a Lidl on the way to Surrey Quays at a 20-minute walk away and another Lidl on Old Kent Road near the Asda. This is about a 30-minute walk away. The closest Aldi is in Catford which is a bus ride from New Cross. 

Deptford and Lewisham Market 

A lot of fruit and veg markets sell their produce for much cheaper than you might find in supermarkets. It’s a good idea to check out what you could buy in the markets local to you, plus it’s a great way to support and give back to your local community. Deptford market is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am to 5.30 pm. The market also sells vintage clothes, bric-a-brac and various other electronic devices. Lewisham Market is open from Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm and on Sunday 10am to 4pm. There is also a shopping centre in Lewisham with a load of fun shops for anything you might want. 

Quick Tips 

• Make a meal plan for your week and write down all the ingredients for each meal. If you want to make Spaghetti Bolognese, make sure you write down each ingredient for the Bolognese.
• Utilise all the food you’ve got, for example, if you have fajitas one night, you could have quesadillas another night.
• Do a bit of research into various discount cards. For example, get a Tesco Club Card or use your Totum card to get discounts on selected items from The Co-op. They’re free and save you loads of pounds per shop!