As Spars go this one packs a lot in (sometimes too much) the store had a recent revamp and layout…read morehas improved. There is a decent selection of fresh produce although stock control isn't always the best so dates need to be checked before buying. There are regular offers available instore and certainly a great spot to pick up top ups to a main shop. At the back of the store is a Subway, a new addition at the front of the store is a self service barrista bar which provides a half decent cup of coffee on the go. Another recent addition is an icecream station, I've yet to try it but certainly seems to be popular with local kids. Staff are generally friendly although there are a few that don't seem to have any interest in being there and it shows. They also sell a selection of coal, gas canisters and plants. Top up machine instore for bus cards, gas, electricity etc. Outside is a reasonable carpark although some of the markings have been redone at an odd angle and can make manoeuvres tricky unless you have a small car. There is a Danske bank cash machine outside. Long opening hours (7-11) and only close on Christmas day

A fully stocked local convenience store with a subway franchise located in the back…read more If you have forgotten something from you 'big shop' this would be the place to get it, sometimes it even stocks items the bigger stores may not have. For such a small store it has everything in offer. A cash machine is also located in the premises and there is a reasonably sized car park out side it as well which saves you parking on the road or side streets.

The staff here are mostly nice people; what angers me about this store is its' extortionate prices…read more The odd time you'll get a good deal via a special offer, but this is rare. The prices must be inflated as most of their products cost twice what they would in a local supermarket or corner shop. The only reason most customers frequent this store is because it is convenient; the majority of its' business seems to come from the surrounding Cliftonville/Oldpark area and passers-by. I'll put it like this; no one goes out of their way to shop here.

This is a great wee shop. It looks tiny from the outside but it's deceptively big. Sells everything…read moreyou could possibly need. Along a mile stretch on the Antrim Road there's 4 convenience stores that come to mind but the Co-Op is the only one that is open late on a Sunday evening. Last night I popped in to get ingredients for a spaghetti bolognese and to my shock and amazement I was able to pick up every ingredient from here. I even got parmesan - I was going all out. I noticed that the Co-Op doubles as a newsagent selling all the national daily papers as well as a range of magazines. The service is great and they keep things moving at the tills. There's also an ATM outside but don't worry if you don't want to queue for it as they will gladly accept card payment for any purchases (no minimum payment). All in all I can't really fault the store, the isles are slightly camped but I'd rather that than them not stocking a product I was looking for. Relatively inexpensive too - keep a look out for daily deals.

Okay, so I'm sure you're all familiar with the Co-Op. Some of you may even remember the Co-Op on…read morethe York Road. So why the hell am I mentioning this one? As you may or may not have noticed, I have a bit of an addiction to Coca-Cola. (I only work at Yelp to keep me in supplies-only joking!) And as a connoisseur of the black stuff, I'm constantly on the lookout for good deals on it, whether that means looking out for overturned lorries on the Westlink or waiting around dark alleyways near the back of the local shop (Joke!). Anyways, the Co-Op usually does the best deal on Coca Cola, normally 12 cans (two six packs) for £3 approx, which is very decent indeed. But i'm only giving them 4 stars because they rip the arse out of all their other prices!

TopUp is a corner shop with a very interesting history behind it. It's been in the Shields family…read morefor years and was originally opened by Paddy Shields (a lovely big man) about 20-25 years ago. It's competitor, Stitches (formerly known as Seamie's) was once run by Paddy's brother, Seamie. TopUp is now run by Paddy's nephew and since being taken over has undergone a rebranding. It serves everything you need your local corner shop to serve and is really no different from any other corner shop, but having grown up with it and being accustomed to it always being there, my heart is just willing it to be successful and will always champion it.

Stitches is another North Belfast favourite, having been here since before time itself begun. It…read moreserves all the normal things you would expect from a corner shop-bread, milk, cigarettes-as well as Slush Puppies (delicious and a definite bonus add). However, what locals probably love most about it is the fact that it's a hub for neighbourhood gossip. You hear the most libellous things in this place and yet, funnily enough, much of it turns out to be accurate. However, I'm giving it 5 stars because it's been there since before I was born, not because I can find out who is having it away with who every time I visit.