Beresford Opticians have been around since 1994... not quite as long as Stewart Greenburg…read moreOpticians, a few doors down the same road, but very different in style. There's little to choose between the two in terms of professionalism and services offered, but I would say that Beresford Opticians are more focussed on meeting everyone's needs than their competitors, in that they provide comprehensive eye care for everybody, not just the well heeled. It's simply a question of positioning. Beresford Opticians pitch their business to all, and Stewart Greenburg Opticians are more into their designer labels and soliciting businesses from wealthier patrons. Like Stewart Greenburg Opticians, Beresford Opticians is an independent practice, but they actively welcome both Private and NHS patients. They also carry an extensive range of designer glasses and sunglasses, but it isn't as comprehensive as the range that you will find at Stewart Greenburg Opticians, who claim that they could very well stock the largest selection of designer frames at affordable prices in South Wales. I like Beresford's. They have one outlet, and so all of their energy is focused right where it's needed. They have spent some time considering the look of the place, which is modern and funky, but most of their efforts are centered on their customers.

My wife and I have used the services of Beresfords ever since we moved to Cardiff in 2001 and can…read moreonly congratulate them on the friendly and excellent service they have always provided together with a professionalism that ranks amongst the best. They go out of their way to ensure that they meet your needs in every way possible,and we rate them very highly.

Spectrum Discount Glasses Ltd is a little off the beaten track, but well worth a visit all the…read moresame... especially if you are looking for affordable glasses and a good level of service. Spectrum opened fourteen years ago with the intention of providing customers with the opportunity to buy their spectacles direct from the manufacturers. This practice allows them to pass on the financial benefits of buying direct to the customer, therefore effectively cutting out all of the middlemen. They possess a comprehensive knowledge of the industry and so are well equipped to meet everyone's needs, and they stock a good range of frames that start at £5.00, and so have something to suit everyone. They deal with all of the following: Frames Sunglasses Reading Glasses Single Vision Lenses Bifocals and Varifocals NHS Vouchers Oh, don't I wish I'd heard of Spectrum when I paid an arm and a leg for varifocals at the beginning of this year! Prices for these start at £70.00, which is amazing! They don't perform eye tests themselves, but you can have this done elsewhere and bring the prescription to Spectrum and buy your glasses here.

Stewart Greenburg Opticians is a well run business that offers a full suite of ophthalmic services…read moreapart from laser eye treatments. Established in !971, this family run business now has three outlets, including this one in Roath. They pride themselves on offering a quality, personalised service, whilst still remaining affordable. They claim that they could very well stock the largest selection of designer frames at affordable prices in South Wales. I don't know about this, but they certainly do have a really extensive range, and with a lot of frames presently in the 50% sale, I would suggest that this is the time to pay them a visit if you are in the market for a new pair of glasses!

I went in a lady and I came out a werewolf…read more.. I had the paws, the claws, the mask (soft rubber and realistic fur), the body suit and last of all I slipped on the attitude. Script to screen sells quality costumes, the kind of stuff you see on the tv and stage, in fact if you're a pro company in South Wales and you're not getting it done in-house then this is THE place to come. Luckily enough for us lay folk they sell to the general public also. The Script to Screen warehouse is just off Colchester Avenue - it's huuuuge, it has to house all their outfits. Their stock includes famous couples, horror and ghouls, pop stars, masks, wigs and accessories. Tip: Schools and armed forces get special discount rates.

What does a dog, Elvis and 50's pimp and Count Dracula have in common?…read more At different points in my life I have been all of them thanks to Script to Screen. If you have a fancy dress party to go to and want to make a real splash then nobody will top your costume if you hire it from Script to Screen. They have a colossal warehouse of costume that will suit you for any occasion. By warned though it will cost you as they are professional costumiers so if you're not going to a proper fancy dress party then think twice, check out their website. Having said that they also have lots of accessories (mustaches, plastic cigars, fake blood, silly sunglasses etc) to add to a home made costume that cost next to nothing.

This family-owned small chain of opticians was established in 1971 by Stewart Greenberg, the…read morecurrent Managing Director. The company now focuses its activities in and around Cardiff. It provides a highly personalised service employing Optometrists and dispensers. They also offer the latest in frame and lens technology from the world's leading manufacturers. Wellfield Road is a prime example of a good Greenberg opticians - modern and comfortable, the shop interior boasts an extensive selection of designer and non-designer frames and sunglasses. The testing rooms all have modern equipment and the majority have air-conditioning for those sweltering Welsh summers ;) This shop even has an on-site laboratory. Like to be a bit on the flash side with your face accessories? Stewart Greenberg Opticians has one of the largest selections of designer frames, all at more affordable prices, in South Wales.

Lovers of the contemporary this one is for you…read more The quiet shop front of G39 hides behind it's glass buzzing televisions, cardboard cut out meat, art things of all description and a curator waiting to answer your profoundest of queries. This quirky art gallery in the middle of the city centre attracts both accidental visits from curious passerby's and deliberate visits from those in the arty know. G39's petite gallery space provides a platform for the work of early to mid career artists. There are three floors to explore, but I have also seen a secret cellar open up for some 'special' exhibits. If you attend an opening here expect to be squashed like sardines, spill out into bustling Mill lane with wine stained lips and when the doors close migrate to Chapter to continue your schmoozing.

G39 is an artist-run organisation - part gallery, part community and part resource. Established in…read more1998 by artists Chris Brown and Anthony Shapland it hosts exhibitions in the permanent 'white cube' space as well as organising public art that uses offsite temporary venues including digital display boards, billboards, shipping containers, warehouses and empty shop units. The ethos? They say this: "The idea of providing independent or new ways of working acknowledges a certain ideological belief that the self-empowering nature of artist-run spaces could be used to shape culture. A willingness to be open to change, being flexible enough to adapt and respond to dominant political or cultural trends - whether for or against - has ensured that these spaces have maintained a key position in the mechanisms of the artworld." G39 certainly has a key foothold in the Cardiff artscene. The narrow three-storey townhouse has housed many fantastic exhibitions and the independent gallery has gained a reputation for flexibility and innovation, as well as giving exhibiting space and support to emerging artists and curators. Long may it continue.

Wellfield Road in Roath is in many respects the Poncanna Street on the opposing side of town. It is…read morenot quite as up market as Pontcanna, but it's not far off in some respects. It has the Boothby Green Deli, which can happily match any of the deli's across the way, and it also has a few independent boutiques that can also definitely compete. Where it differs quite significantly is that it has a more bohemian feel. If Poncanna is at the established, more mature end of the chilled out spectrum, that is reasonably conservative in its tastes, then Wellfield is propping up the younger more cosmopolitan and funky end of the scale. What I really love about Wellfield Road is that it is pretty much self-sufficient. People who live in Roath really don't need to venture into town that often. Until recently it wasn't possible to buy fresh meat, as there's no family butchers, but Boothby Green has remedied that in a big way by offering exotic meats as well as the more conventional cuts. So, these days it's possible to do a weekly shop on Wellfield Road alone. There's the great fruit and veg stall at the Albany Road end of the street, which sells really well priced fresh produce, (that helps soften the blow after paying over the odds for the meat, worth it though it is). The same applies to clothing and gifts. Wellfield Road has loads of great value independent clothing shops for both men and women where you can buy everything from designer gear to vintage, retro and pre-loved clothing. There's at least three menswear shops, and even more women's clothing outlets... there's even a dress agency in the Wellfield Court Arcade, just around the corner from the retro shop. Health and wellbeing are also well catered for with a couple of opticians, chemists and health spa's. The arts are fairly well represented also. The Oriel, just around the corner on Penylan Road is a fantastic little indie gallery that is well worth visiting. And finally, there are some great little places to eat out, or grab a coffee.

Wellfield Road is a pleasant area to stroll around window shoppping and stopping for coffee or some…read morelunch. You won't find flagship high street stores here like Top Shop or Next, but instead you'll find small boutique-style shops and independent cafes and hair salons, each with individual character. While nearby Albany Road is also lined with shops, as are neighbouring Crwys and City Roads, it's Wellfield that holds the most charm. There's not a huge selection of places to shop at, and you might not end up buying a thing, but you could easily pass a lazy hour or two here nosing around alternative shops such as Halcyon Daze and stopping off at the delectable Tea & Cake Shop or trendy Juno Lounge. If you have a bit more time to spare, Roath Park is only a short stroll away or there's the Oriel Gallery exhibitions to browse.

Jonathan David is a top end jewellers that supply everything from diamond and platinum jewellery…read morethrough to designer watches. But that's not to say that they are entirely conventional, and don't carry the fun stuff too. They also sell an interesting and comprehensive range of affordable silver, gemstone and quality glass jewellery, sourcing their stock from some home-grown designers as well as from further afield. In fact, Jonathan David cover all of their bases by augmenting their products and services with a pre-owned range, but this is mainly confined to jewellery containing precious stones, such as diamond engagement rings, as well as watches... essentially things that are subject to standard evaluations, where market price can be estimated accurately. This is a family run business with outlets in Wellfield Road in Roath as well as St Mary Street in the centre of town. The St Mary Street outlet carries much of the pre-owned jewellery, so if you are looking for an engagement ring, then this is where you need to head to. In addition, somewhat logically, jewellery and watch repairs take place here as well... this is where the repair and valuation team are based. Again, if you are looking to trade something in, or simply need a valuation for insurance purposes then a visit to the St Mary Street outlet is advisable, although the Wellfield Road store will happily deal with all of your enquiries.

I may have mentioned in a previous review how much I love amber. Luckily for me (unluckily for my…read morepurse, boyfriend and family) the Jonathan David store on Wellfield Road has one of the most gorgeous collections of amber jewellery I have ever seen. When I enquired about it, I was expecting to be shown one or two basic items, but I was blown away by the revolving display that contained shelves and shelves of the stuff. My own personal obsession aside, Jonathan David jewellers is a lovely store, containing traditional jewellery and current fashions, as well as a great collection of gifts. Whatever your jewellery needs, this shop should be your first point of call as it caters to such a wide range of tastes. Of course, we are talking serious jewellery here, not cheap bling, so it's not cheap. But Jonathan David isn't the place to go for £5 tacky fashion bangles and hoop earrings; that's what Primark and Accessorize are for. This is for the really nice pieces of jewellery, the special occasion, special person stuff. Definitely somewhere you should accidentally end up in with your mum or boyfriend in tow, a few weeks before your birthday...