One of the newest editions to Bow Street Mall, having only opened its doors in April, Pink is a new…read moreladies 'boutique' (not exactly what I would've called it, but hey). It's geared towards women in their teens and twenties, with much of the stock consisting of floral dresses, leggings, fancy tops, unusual jackets and skinny jeans. Think a cross between Streetlife and NV, and you'll not be far wrong. There are quite a lot of random little shops like Pink popping up all over the place, and to be honest, most of their clothes are all a bit samey. While Pink did have a good sale on (£5 rail was an instant winner), their clothes weren't really all that different to what I've seen elsewhere. In saying that, I did spot a couple of pretty tops for £7.50, but their delicate embellishment around the collar put me off ever so slightly. I also spotted a pretty black floral blouse, but since I'm a bit miserable when it comes to spending money on clothes and really rather enjoy a bargain, I felt £20 was a bit too much to spend on a see-through top (naturally I'd wear something underneath, but the fact that it was so thin meant that its value somewhat deteriorated in my mind). I did like most of the clothes though, and although some of them did come across as a wee bit tacky, most of the garments were quite pretty. So, I wasn't exactly left tickled Pink, but then again, pretty in Pink was never exactly my look...

Aptly named, Dragonfly is a stunning, colourful boutique with the most beautiful clothes range and…read moreequally stunning accessories. Editor's big sister (although it's actually younger, having only opened four months ago), the clothes are designed for the slightly more mature lady, and the exceedingly pretty shop really emphasises this. With it's distressed white and mint green furniture, with touches of light pink, this boutique is feminine and grownup. Think floaty dresses, classy scarves and hand bags, and extremely wearable tops...there's nothing dowdy in here whatsoever! I noticed a really lovely Ted Baker top, brightly coloured and displayed under a gorgeous coral cardigan which was reduced to £30. Not only was this something that even I would wear, I was extremely impressed with the prices. Totally affordable. Elegant, chic and dazzling...you'll soon be as beautiful as a dragonfly (yep, I just coined a phrase...dragonflies *are* the new butterflies).

I'm such a cheapskate when it comes to shoes. I don't think I've ever spent more than £45 on a pair…read moreof boots, let alone your average shoe, but needs must and all that. I really, really needed a proper pair of nice shoes. It was an absolute requirement. Michael Philips was the shoe shop of choice, and when I wandered in, I realised that Mr Philips actually owned a Clarks franchise, and all the shoes were Clarks shoes. I was beginning to doubt my decision, but decided to have a nosey anyway. Most of the shoes are a bit old fashioned for my liking, but I did come across a pair of super comfy leather brogues, with a little heel, and instantly fell in love. At £55 (gulp) they weren't cheap, but I managed to convince myself that they would be a fantastic investment. I can be awful persuasive sometimes... The sales assistant was attentive, and was ever so patient, despite being constantly pestered to find another size, and persistently asked whether the shoes looked ok. Nodding all the while, she convinced me all the more that I should purchase a pair, so out came the shiny black credit card (to match my shiny black shoes). It's less painful that way.

Right in the heart of Bow Street with cheap parking behind. Not a great selection of men's shoes as…read moreI came in the door. The assistant was a young girl called Jennie who was very pleasant and patient to deal. I liked the fact that I wasn't rushed and the shop was very clean and well presented. Excellent service and quite a nice bag that the shoes came in. Only downside was not enough men's shoes but nice attractive friendly staff means I would definitely come again.

Personal customer service was excellent, and that makes a change in today's "take it or leave it"…read moreworld. They have an excellent range of suits, material shirts and ties, and the owner made sure that the new suit I was there to purchase fitted perfectly. The additional items of shirt, tie and shoes were a perfect match and fit. I will be back again as it was a pleasure to find a shop and owner who cared about his customers. Fantastic value for money.

Fantastic service that is leaps and bounds above anywhere else I've been. Staff are experts at…read moreselecting the correct garments to suit the occasion at the price plan you have you in mind. I left with the best fitting suit I've ever worn in the right style and colour to suit my complexion and build. I wouldn't recommend anywhere else.

I have called in here a few times in the last year. Each time I wonder how much longer it can stay…read moreafloat. It still has a Primark and a Dunnes stores and I guess if they go it's dead. I remember a thriving food hall here with 6 or 7 purveyors when Harry Ramsden's deservedly did a roaring trade and I was a fan. No more, it's down to just one; a BurgerKing that opens at noon. It had M&S food and a cafe but not now. Our world is changing and not for the better. It's a harder world and shopping malls like this one reflect what's hidden in plain sight - increased poverty, cuts after cuts killing people, killing trade, shutting shops, putting folk out of work, who for the most part are the working poor. It's political ideology behind it for the most part - nutters who wanted brexit ironically the richest and the poorest; the former know they will make shed loads more money atop what they already have amassed with no threat to pay fair tax and the latter in the vain hope they'll escape their grinding poverty caused by 15 years of frozen wages, diminished services and the transfer of manufacturing overseas. They have no chance. The working poor will start to realise they were lied to but rising fuel and food will leave them still more desperate every day and there's nothing they can do. Half empty shopping malls will become three quarters empty in the next few months, recession will hit hard as hell. It's not that there's no money about as there more of it than ever it's just that the richest are not passing as many crumbs to the poor as they used to. And politicians don't do real politics any more - they talk and they lie and steal all round them while high streets will become wastelands.

Bow Street Mall...it's a mall (shopping centre to you and I) and it's in Bow Street. Clever, eh? At…read moreleast there's no chance of you forgetting where it's located... In all seriousness, Bow Street Mall is probably one my favourite shopping centres. Here's why... 1) It has sixty shops. Sixty! I reckon that's pretty impressive for a central shopping centre. It's not just the number which is impressive, either. The range of stores, including Primark, Tempest, Dunnes Stores, Dorothy Perkins, TK Maxx and Hanna and Browne, is equally impressive, considering most of these are fairly huge. And it's all under one roof! 2) The food court is consistently busy, and offers the likes of Burger King, KFC, O'Briens, Shanghai Express, Harry Ramsden's and Barnams. Located on the first floor, the food court is the only part of the mall which is not on the ground floor. Yes, I rather like this mall on Bow Street. Innovative name and all...

Childrens clothes shop. Really nice clothes, many designer and only one or two pieces in each size…read more They are expensive for most tings but do have a sale rail and the expensive clothes are lovely and worth the extra money. Many comments on what I have bought from there. Nice shop to find an unsual outfit for a special occasion. Box of toys in shop also to keep children amused when you look around.

I've been buying shoes from here since I was a child. Very good value, lots of range, and staff who…read moreknow how to measure your feet properly.

Being positioned in Bow Street Mall, Gems is handy to get to. There are large display windows…read moreoutside, in fact there seems to be more displayed outside than inside the shop. The staff quality varies from very friendly and helpful members to just the average non-fussed type. I would say Gems was best for buying cheaper items out of, I don't know if I would have confidence in buying anything too expensive out of there. We had bought something fairly dear out of there and it took forever for it to come back from getting sized. A better member of staff got it sorted in the end.

I love the jewellery in this shop! My boyfriend has bought me a few pieces of jewellery from here…read more The jewellery is fashionable, modern and beautiful. Prices are reasonable for the quality of the product. The selection is good, especially the frontal window displays. I found the last time i was in this shop the staff were a little pushy but i suppose it is part of their job to sell!! Will have to send boyfriend here again for valentines day!

From the outside, Reid's looks dingy and tired, and in dire need of a face lift. When you step…read moreinside, there's a funny little tunnel, with displays of shoes on either side, and a set of stairs leading downwards. Interestingly, the shoe section is located in the basement of the shop (hence the topsy-turvyness), which is really rather...random. And messed with my head a little bit. So, down the steps we went, and into a massive emporium of every kind of shoe possible. With an ongoing sale, the place was slightly disorientated, although there were evidently three separate sections - kids, womens and mens. The kids section was absolutely jam packed full of little 'uns sitting in line with their ticket, waiting (im)patiently to be measured. The colourful seats and measuring thingamajigs reminded me of the trips to Irvine's on the Newtownard's Road to get my school shoes. Fond memories...and not a lot has changed, so it would seem. The ladies section was full of trainers, granny shoes, flats, sandals, heels and more granny shoes. Some of the shoes were decent enough, but most were just too old fashioned or downright horrible. I was the youngest female customer in this area by far...the average age was probably 70 odd. I didn't venture into the men's section, because, well, I'm not a man. The one thing that did rather annoy me was the lack of customer service. The staff were as dure as the shop, and were mainly twiddling their thumbs and standing doing not an awful lot. No-one came anywhere near me the entire thirty minutes I was there. How rude. Since Reid's really isn't my kind of shoe shop (which isn't in reference to the service), I most likely won't return. However, due to the wide variety of shoes, I'll give them two stars. Since I'm nice like that.