Love Japan? Love 'I love Kokeshi'. I Love Kokeshi sells a…read morecute little selection of hand crafted and individually painted Kokeshi Dolls from Japan. Don't know what they are but want to have one? Their website justifies you're weird craving: "Traditionally given as gifts of love and friendship, each individual Kokeshi has been made with love and has a soul of its own. The designs range from the traditional to the creative amalgamating centuries of Japanese art and design and are appreciated as art objects, in which they adhere to a philosophy of simplicity and beauty. I Love Kokeishi also presents antique Kimoni Silks, Kokeshi art prints and cards." Situated on the first floor of Affleck's Palace, I Love Kokeshi sells a niche but wonderful array of Japanese Kokeshi Dolls, plus a selection of prints, cards and cute little bits and bobs. Great for gifts or a cheeky browse, I Love Kokeshi is a great place to while away half an hour and realize you want things you never knew existed before!

Frankly, if I had the choice I'd never have spent my money in this store, but frustratingly, they…read morewere the only store which had what I needed, so I had to swallow my pride, make my purchase and leave. Simply put, other than the young brunette girl, absolutely nobody was willing to give me the time of day, even to the point where another member of staff (older blonde woman) was willing to overlook the fact that the brunette was in the middle of answering questions that I needed answering and pull her away from me to help another customer. During my time in the store, I listened carefully to how the other members of staff treated 'other' customers and there was a clear difference in the level of customer service they received compared with mine - 'other' customers were asked qualifying questions to determine their options; were shown around the store pointing out which materials may be best suited; a pleasant manner was used. Me? I just felt like they wanted me out of the store and were reluctant to make any effort. I have my suspicions as to why, but even if my suspicions are incorrect, there's no other explanation for the poor level of customer service I received (or more accurately, didn't receive). If you have a choice, take your money and spend it elsewhere.

An Aladdin's cave of fabrics…read more I've been meaning to come here for years. I just hopped off the bus on impulse, nearly forgetting my bag! The number 23 stops right outside, for your information. There is so much fabric in here! Rolls upon rolls stacked high with tight corridors in between. I really enjoyed just wandering round. In fact I probably looked a bit weird, walking around stroking everything and smiling. There's ginghams, flowery prints, teddy bear prints, tutu gauze, and lots and lots of shiny, sparkly, gold sprinkled patterns. I can just imagine this must be where all the little kids dance troupes in Manchester get their costume materials. I need to learn to sew so I can get the bus back and buy some stuff for my own outfits.

I haven't got enough fingers to count the number of times I've been dragged around The Works by my…read moremum. As an avid card maker, she can't resist popping in everytime she's in town to check out if they have any new stock. Alongside a large section of arts and crafts material from plain cards, envelopes and stickers to paper flowers and jewels, The Works sells a varied collection of hardback and paperback books at big discounts. Some are 75% cheaper than the RRP, others are 3 for £5. Over my many trips I've picked up some books I'd genuinely buy at full price from Waterstones or my local independent bookshop. Most of the time however, I find myself thinking that nobody in their right mind would pay full price for some of the books on offer! We're talking celebrity biographies, sports biographies, horrible true crime stories, extensive gardening manuals, large military and history books with tiny print, travel books with terrible photos and irritating joke and puzzle books for people with too much time on their hands. The one salvation is the Food and Drink section where they regularly get a dozen copies of mainstream cookbooks by celebrity and non-celebrity chefs.

Fun game for you all- take a trip to your nearest Waterstones and find yourself a book then leave…read morewithout buying it. Head straight to the Works and laugh as you save a small fortune on the very same book. Fun game number 2- take a trip to your nearest arts and crafts centre and find yourself a some artistic media then leave without buying it. Head straight to the Works and laugh as you save a small fortune on the very same equipment. Hurrah for the Works!

Very helpful and knowledgeable staff, lots of useful advice, and speedy service. I needed to…read morereplace the hard drive in an Acer desktop -- not as straightforward as you'd want. Stu looked into it, and I placed the order. But before despatching the goods, he checked again with his colleagues and forums etc, and when they found that that particular drive might cause problems in the Acer, he called me back and suggested an alternative. Other places might just have left ... I would recommend www.pcupgrade.co.uk to anyone

Our experience of Amberglow was very poor indeed. We paid £2500, we were promised a quality…read moreservice but the poor workmanship we got, as well as the poor customer service post-fit was very poor. We would certainly NOT recommend Amberglow Fireplaces

We thought about having multi fuel stove installed at the beginning of 2014. We chose Amberglow of…read moreEllesmere Port and James came out to survey the intended work. A twin lined flue was recommended and a couple of weeks later, the teams of fitters arrived to commence work on the installation of the Pevex cube 40. From start to finish, the work that was carried out was professional and of high standard. We would have no hesitation in recommending Amberglow and as I am a professional chimney sweep who is NACS qualified, what better person to ask . I come across Amberglow installations all the time as the rounds are done locally. Steve at Clean Sweep, Sutton Weaver

Save yourself time, money, sanity and shoe leather by going here first/or last if that makes any…read moresense!!! instead of trawling the internet endlessly and schlepping round shops all day (as I did!!) They seem to have all the exact same products and brands as the larger stores, but at half the money, I wanted a silentnight double divan that was on the retail park at £599, on the internet at £499, both with weeks to wait, bought it from Castle Beds, delivered free the same day at £299, I thought there was a mistake at first!! so kept my mouth shut until I saw the receipt in black and white!!!

Castle beds and mattresses Bolton did what all the others couldn't, delivered the goods quickly and…read moreunder budget!!! Top marks!!

I really love this store. It always has something a bit different and really great sales on the odd…read moreoccassion! The peir is a furniture store that prides themselves in selling hand crafted furniture. They sell both home and garden furnishings such as tables and chairs, rugs, tableware and a wide variety of candles. The style of the stuff they sell is unusual, unique and very colourful which is a breath of fresh air when you look round the store at all of the brightly coloured displays. You can get cushions, storage boxes, dried flowers and glassware along with so much other stuff. If you are bored of the normal drab stuff, come to the pier!

This shop is great if you're looking for something a little bit different with an exotic touch for…read moreyour home. Its a million miles away from the uniform plasticity that Ikea offers, The Pier's decadent fabrics and opulent prints will appeal to those who want their house to truly become a warm comfortable home.

This was the cash and carry, the furniture here is mostly Italian styled, veneered wallnut with a…read morehigh gloss finish and ornate chairs, it's the type of thing you either love or hate. Big gold mirrors and prints of roman ladys, that style of furniture! nice quality, easy to walk around, they have furniture for every room in the house and the staff let you look at it, no hard sell. Really nice carpets from all the top carpet makers and a good selection of roll ends. I like a look in here now and then because they leave you to look but there is always someone there only too willing to help..

Love this store, used to go to Haydock but now they have a store in Warrington its even better…read more Great value and different pieces of furniture, not like DFS and SCS. Loads of really unusual things that you may see in Cousins or Housing Units of Hollinwood but at HALF the price. Great store, if you haven't been then I suggest a look.you will not be disappointed.