Best Kept Secret used to be a petrol station. It was then one of those hand car washes, and for the past couple of years it's been empty and just looked like a right eyesore.
Then someone had the bright idea of covering the place in black signs and painting sexy pirate ladies on the wall and putting a party shop inside instead! Clever!
I've been driving past 'BKS' for about four months, thinking 'oh my god, how tacky, how do they get any business, it looks like you'd get herpes just walking through the door', but then, a month ago, I decided to hold a Halloween party and started thinking about costumes, and after much internet browsing, it turned out I had to come here to get my Cruella de Ville dress and wig. I went to try it all on yesterday, and after finding my way around six perma-tanned hungover student ladies trying to fight over the sluttiest nurse/kitty/bunny/policewoman outfit, I succeeded. The staff were helpful, if a little keen, and the outfit was a bargain at £23.50. I even got some free party cannon things that apparently make a right mess so I'll not be using them on Friday, but the thought was there.
The only trouble with this place is the smell of damp. Other than that, rummage through costumes to your heart's content. Plenty of accessories too -I almost bought some Billy Bob teeth and a 70s cop sunglasses and moustache set just for the hell of it, but I was in a hurry so they're still there waiting for me
Great for Otley-runners on a budget. Although I hate Otley-runners with a passion and if you're one of them and you get in my way or are just generally annoying and noisy while I'm trying to get on with my shopping/drinking/mooching, it's going to piss me off and I'll have a sh*t day. So don't. Thanks. read more