If you are ordering from them online then buyer beware! The experience of dealing with Alternative Stores has felt like dealing with a company that should be featured on Watchdog rather than a reputable company. They didn't deliver my order, when trying to sort the situation out with customer services they were very rude, and even though they never delivered the order they still have refused to return my money. Under the Distance Selling Regulations 2000 they are obligated to give me my money back. However, as we aware (and it has been in the news recently and it is currently being looked into by the Office of Fair Trading) some companies are not complying with consumer protection law. So beware, if things go wrong (even through their fault and not yours) don't expect Alternative Stores to abide by the law! read more

We were delighted to discover that they sell original protoveg soosmix in nice big 1kg bags. I had tried several other veggie sausage mixes called sosmix but all were very poor copies and nothing like the original sosmix. The whole family were very excited when it arrived just a day after we ordered it and true to the listing on thier website, it was original sosmix free from all animal products. Since then we have been making all our old favourites including sosrolls, mock corned beef pie, veggie sausages etc. Since then we have been trying some of the other products. They do a great value and great tasting burger mix, lots of dairy free chocolates and sweets plus a whole range of vegan foods and grocery. Its so nice to find a veggie run business and the service is always good too. read more

Our family loves Alternative Stores and we place a large online food and grocery order at least once a month. They have a great range of goods and nicely priced. Its also great to see a proper ethical company that sells only cruelty free goods nand from vegan veggie staff too. We also love the affordable veggie shoes and its great to get real sosmix again. The staff have always been very friendly and helpful and really go out of thier way if there is an issue with a courier. We have also visted the Newcastle store when on holiday up there and they always seem to have a few bargains that you won't find online. Alt Stores is probably the best find we have ever made on the internet. Love and peace to all of you, Suze read more

I was so pleased to find Vegetarian Shoes for sale in Newcastle and also to find the prices are so affordbale, compared to other vegan shoes firms. Ive bought online and found the service wonderful but now Im back in the North East its an excellent store to buy essential health and vegan products. I love the dairy free, vegan cheese range, the divine dairy free chocolate and the organic foods. The staff are very helpful, opening up outside of normal shop hours and also that they will order in almost anything the do not stock. read more

A gem for those of us following and ethical, dairy free or vegan lifestyle. So much to choose from, such as dairy free vegan cheeses, deserts, sosmix, nicely prices vegetarian shoes, health foods, dairy free chocolate and so much more. The Newcastle shop has so much great stuff but we also get a regular delivery online. The staff are very good and know their stuff. The online delivery service is amazing as they tell us what time the parcel will arrive. What more can I say? Ethical, vegan and good customer service read more

This is a gem of a health food store in Newcastle. Nice to see everything is dairy free and vegan and vegetarian with plenty of gluten free and free from food options. I was so pleased to see they stock the original Sosmix along with a great range of vegan cheeses. This is probably the best health food store in the North East. The staff are very friendly, know all about the products and even offered to order anything in they didn't have. read more

I was upset when Out Of this World in Gosforth went out of business but have managed to get everything I need from Alternative Stores. They carry a great range of organic, fairtrade foods and the prices are sensible. The vegan chocolate range is fantastic & its nice to see ethical shoes too read more

They have so much good stuff for those of us avoiding dairy or lactose intolerant. We really love the crunchy bites and the dairy free fudge plus the vegan pizzas are really handy when in a hurry. Its nice to see such a good range of dairy free foods ans sweets without losing taste. read more

As good as it gets when it comes to vegan shopping. A great store that is always bang up to speed with the latest new foods that are out. There always seems to be something new to try. Fab clothing and shoes too, and lovely staff. I am a fan! read more

Ordered children's shoes online, heard nothing over 3 weeks later and shoes have still not arrived. Waiting on a reply to email now, since the phone number just rang and rang with no answer. Not very happy. Buyers beware! read more

These guys are lifesavers. We needed Sosmix fast as another supplier let us down at the last min. One quick call and they expressed the Sosmix out and it was here next day. excellent service and very friendly, helpful staff. read more

Have ordered from in the past. Some items arrived damaged. Sent back for refund, along with shoes to be exchanged. Haven't heard from them since, and no shoes have arrived in over 8 months. Avoid. read more