This branch of WHSmith is located in Burtonwood Services, which is operated by Welcome Break in the…read moreBurtonwood area of Warrington. I called in here on Christmas Day 2017 and this was one of two of the three units in the Eastbound services which was open, alongside Starbucks, the only unit which wasn't open as stated in my other reviews was Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). The store is quite small, on the day I visited one of the shutters was down so it didn't feel too welcoming, but the store was quiet, on my visit I was the only person in the shop, as well as a slightly tired employee who seemed friendly enough but didn't seem too thrilled to be working on her own on the quiet Christmas Day. The selection of drinks was very good, and included the Starbucks Iced Bottled beverages, these are normally £1 each at SPAR, or £2 each at Superdrug on Buy one get one free, but here they were £2.25 each which was really expensive, but is just an example of the overcharging, expensive nature of motorway service stations, which is frustrating and sad. On the plus side, they did stock a good selection of them including flavours such as mocha and coffee, which are becoming harder and harder to track down now, to the point where I've only found two stores in Manchester, my home-town which sell them. The overall selection around the store, other than a huge drink selection wasn't great. There isn't really many alternatives nearby, as this is the only shop on the Eastbound services, due to the high pricing, slightly unwelcoming nature of the store and selection for anything other than drinks, I feel this store only deserves a slightly generous two-star rating which is only earned for drink selection and location.

Corner News is situated on the very busy Eaton Road, opposite the Alder Hey Childrens Hospital…read more It is a large airy shop with a massive range of products inside. They offer a huge variety of magazines suited to all ages and interestes. They have a big variety of soft drinks in large and small bottles and cans, ice creams, crisps, sandwiches, pasties, sweets and chocolates. They also offer a good range of groceries such as coffee, tea, tinned goods and bread which might not be as cheap as those from a supermarket, but are conveninent for the location. They also offer bill payment facilities. The shop is frequented by many school children as there are a few schools nearby, but as the shop is quite big you never feel intimidated or pushed out when several children are in there at once. The staff are quietly friendly and happy to help.

Low quality and overpriced. There are cheaper newsagents on this road. Avoid Corner News.read more

Despite it's famous locale, this is just a normal newsagents and you will find pretty much all the…read moresame newsagent items you'd expect to find anywhere else. I didn't really see anything particularly out of the ordinary here. Just one of those "carry on" situations. :)

This is a tiny hole in the wall sweets and tobaco kiosk set right in the middle of the main street,…read morealways a couple of people around it and an ash bin. Clean, loads of chocolate, crisps, cigs and the poor girls that work here are always cold summer and winter,

Amazing place that accepts you for being you. *Warning* @ Social Refuge where they treat you…read moredifferently if your not like them. I visited this coffee shop recently and left feeling pretty uncomfortable with how I was treated. From the moment I ordered, the staff came across as dismissive and noticeably colder toward me compared to other customers around me. There were a few interactions that felt unnecessarily sharp, and it gave the impression that I wasn't particularly welcome there. I want to be fair, but as a straight customer, the difference in tone and attitude didn't go unnoticed. Whether intentional or not, it made the experience feel exclusionary rather than inclusive. It's a shame because the space itself has a lot of personality, but the service made it hard to enjoy. I'd hope they work on creating a more welcoming environment for everyone.

I get the irony by starting with the quote "don't judge a book by its cover" but tbh this is…read moreexactly what I've been doing every time I've walked past this place in the past few months... Whether it was because the area of town is a bit random, the building a bit unattractive and me thinking it was more of a bookshop - something just seemed to be putting me off. But today in my meeting with Matt F we decided to give it a go and what a great decision it was! First off this place is huge and a labyrinth once inside - one half hipster bookshop, the other half cool cafe with a real nod to health (check out the menu on my pics). A really lovely environment with working fountain and a variety of places to sit. The food was excellent too - my breakfast pancakes were probably the best I've had in Manchester so far which is saying something. Quick note that they don't do sides - at one stage I thought I was going to turn into Jack Nicholson in '5 Easy Pieces' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wtfNE4z6a8 but thankfully the guy sorted us out with a side of toast after I asked nicely...repeatedly... Very friendly staff, great venue. I'll be back soon to work/eat/drink coffee/read a book - or all at the same time!