"What flavour of cous cous would you like, Tabitha?"

Does the presence of a Waitrose increase the middle-class-ness of an area, or does the middle-class-ness of an area attract a Waitrose? On the evidence of Abingdon, I'd say it's the latter, the firm having done their homework on whether a store will succeed - though of course once a Waitrose has opened it can cement the area's middle-class status.

Anyway, in my book the Waitrose effect has less to do with house prices and desirability and more to do with my expanding waistline and reduced bank balance. I noticed the other day that our store offers a fish kettle loan service - I have no idea what one of those is, but certainly don't fancy a cup of tea made using one.