Excellent traditional cigar shop. Staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommended!read more

Obviously I don't smoke, mum...but if I did I would buy my 'gear' from here…read more It smells fantastic in this tobacconist, really incredible. I pop in occasionally for some celebratory cigars or presents for friends; you can get some great boxes or single cigars. It really caters for all smokers, even casual ones like me, they range from £2.40 each to about £30.50 each, but of course you could always get the box called Monte Cristo, priced at only £435.20 it's a steal! I mean we did experience some slightly less than friendly customer service yesterday, you know, no small talk, annoyed by a card payment, tutting and awkward silence. But don't let that put you off, some would call it traditional and this shop serves a very important purpose that not many do any more, especially not in this country. They have a huge range of cigar cutters, from very cheap (perfect) to top of the range. They even sell snuff (that goes in your nose); I think I'll give it a miss though.

Ah, the Bong Shop, a name apparently given to them by their customer's that has 'just stuck',…read moreaccording to their owner. Well you don't need to be a genius to work out who these customers were and what this stall is most associated with. I have been told by the staff that they sell 'alternative gifts and paraphernalia' but I didn't see anything my mum would like for Christmas. But really they've got some great little 'bits & pieces'. They do have an insanely random selection of stock, but they are good for Zippo lighters, flavoured Rizla and incense; basically if you can light it or light things with it you can but it here. They also do t-shirts...but I can't imagine that's why you'd pay them a visit. They are also perfect if you smoke a shisha pipe because they sell coals (and I think fruit tobacco) and are the only place in town I have found that does.

What would a market be without the obligatory head shop eh? To give St Nicks Market that customary…read moremarket feel a la camden, Bristol has The Bong shop. It sells 'smoking paraphernalia' rizlas and pipes, cigarette filters and the like. It also sells a range of legal highs which the store owners don't seem to know very much about. I have a lovely shisha which I rarely use these days but its nice to know there is somewhere i can get some baccie for it from if the need takes me. Its not as nice a store as the head Shop in Bedminster, the staff are not as friendly and it doesn't have a sex swing on display :-)!! However if you are just after some flavoured cigarette papers or filter tips for your rollies then this store will do the job.

With park street, and indeed alot of the top of town, you will somewhat surprisingly find that…read morethere are not that many places to pick up a paper or get some chewing gum (or even some sweets if you need to satisfy your sugary craving!) Lexie's gives you the option to get those everyday desirable things, without having to walk all the way down to the tesco's at college green. Unless you live near the bottom then it would make more sense for you to go to tesco unless you want a bit more excersize! A nice clean shop, and stock's everything you would expect it to, very friendly inside.

Paint the picture - It's a warm day, you have spent most of the afternoon shopping and your hands…read moreare raw from carrying so many bags. The sun is beaming down as you face the dreaded walk up Park Street. You are nearly at the top. The Will's Memorial building is shading the sun from you, yet you are starting to feel faint from all this exercise. No worries, Lexi's is here! Pick up a sweet treat, a cheap and cheerful sandwich or a ice cold drink all for a fraction of the price that any other shop would sell. Fantastic.

Despite being half the size of its intimidating neighbour, Tesco Express, this little shop actually…read morestocks a selection of produce that gives said supermarket a run for its money. You'll often find 'buy one get one free' offers on groceries, and the alcohol selection beats Tesco's hands down. Boasting deals such as 4 cans of quality lager for 3 pounds, and two bottles of wine for a fiver, this is definitely the place to come to stock up for a party. Bus passes can also be purchased here, in addition to phone top-ups and, of course, a selection of newspapers (not forgetting the Evening Post) and magazines. Staff are always friendly and accommodating.

True The Evening Post is in the shadow of other larger businesses in the vicinity selling similar…read moreproducts. True also it may not be the most organised of shopping experiences. But this is its charm, in my opinion. The haphazard scattering of newspapers and magazines from all genres and dates and the wide selection of children's 1p and 2p sweets make this shop traditional and unique. The shop also boasts an impressive array of notepads which to scribblers like me is a godsend. Add to all of this a rather impressive (although admittedly equally haphazard) collection of pipes and smoking paraphernalia and you have quite the little find. Granted, you won't find high spec bright shiny floors, security guards and sliding mechanised doors but then that is what Gloucester Rd is all about!

With so many places to pick up essentials, sadly I always overlook this Evening Post shop on…read moreGloucester Road for anything other than buying a weekend paper. The teabags, biscuits and milk in the shop are pretty prices - so I advice you take the short walk along to Somerfield or Tesco. But, if like me you love a nose through notices, the window of the Evening Post newsagents is absolutely full of them.

I'm normally not a fan of Tesco. Especially Tesco Express. They seem more evil somehow. But this…read moreone on Gloucester Road is annoyingly useful with aggravatingly helpful staff. How dare they?! The prices are still extortionate compared to Tesco superstores, but when you need coffee, milk, bread and biscuits in can't be beaten for convenience. If you're in need of butter at 10pm, this store will be reliably alive and kicking when the other food outlets on Gloucester Road are sound asleep.

I wish I could say I have slightly bended the rules to write about a non-independent store because…read moreof its dazzling service and vast choice but unfortunately this is not the case. Once or twice on my way home I have popped into this Tesco, not being able to face the thought of a huge store after work, and have always been left disappointed. I know it's only a small store but it seems to run out / not have even the basics such as milk or butter. Though I usually do all my shopping in Tesco I would avoid this one as though it were a swarm of bees and I was covered in honey! P.S There's a Sainsbury's up the road a bit which is a lot better.

This Evening Post newsagents on Whiteladies Road is fully stocked with essentials ranging from long…read morecooker patches to the local paper. The staff here are efficient and fast, but not overly friendly. The prices reflect their convenient location and working hours. The reason I've given this seemingly ordinary newsagents such a high rating is that they often have certain special offers which make shopping there a treat. Just last week I got a copy of The Times and a free DH Laurence book for just 30p! So whenever you're walking by, keep an eye out for this one-off discounts.

I used to go here all the time for checking out magazines and the daily newspapers when I lived in…read moreRedland. They stock an enormous range of said publications along the right-hand wall as you enter the store, so you're sure to find something to read on a bus or at home on a lazy, weekend day. I also popped in here on my way to work for a milkshake, juice or sandwich, as their prices aren't all that bad for this area, and it beats the hell out of going to Tesco in the early morning rush hour. I was only slightly irked that they weren't open as I returned at about half six, but that's a minor thing really. Yes, I like this place.

I'm not sure which was here first, but there's something a little uninventive going on at this end…read moreof East street. With Budget Boozer, Budget Booze and another offy all within spitting distance of each other you really are spoilt for choice when it comes to cheap alcomahol. Budget boozer is a little smaller than it's rival opposite, so sometimes looses out due to it's slightly smaller selection. Look out for special offers though when they're trying to get rid of a lot of one line quickly and you just might find exactly what you're looking for.

In comparison to its adjacent competitor Budget Booze, Budget Boozer doesn't have much of a leg to…read morestand on. You'll find a few good deals here, such as two bottles of wine for a fiver (although I must uncharitably add that they are far from pleasant) and various offers on alcopops. However, this off license is lacking in the spirit department, and staff could do with being a little friendlier too.

If you enter this shop with hazy intentions of buying a rag of some sort, but feel obliged to flick…read morethrough a few before making your final decision...well, you're in for it. I popped in here a few weeks back with a couple of newspapers lined up in my head. However, in order to whittle down my choices, I went to open/scan one of the said papers. Before I'd had a chance to open it properly, I was interrupted by a scathing voice from behind the counter, informing me it was not within my rights to stand there reading his property. I'm not sure whether he thought this response would inspire me to buy the newspaper I was clutching, but if he did he was sorely mistaken. Whatever happened to the customer always being right? Gripes aside, this newsagents boasts the usual collection of magazines and newspapers, in addition to confectionery and stationary. Don't expect service with a smile, though...

An often overlooked newsagents that has pitched a spot on the hussle and bustle of the High street,…read moreI can't help but feel it would be more at home situated on West sreet or even St Johns lane but here is where we find it! And it seems to be doing well! Selling all the magazines and newspapers that any good newsagents stock. I recently came in especially on a Sunday for the free 'Chaplin' DVD that came with the Sunday Telegraph, and never have I seen a shop worker so happy on a sunday, it was a joyous revalation! I would however like to know what the BCS stands for? Answers on a postcard please!