I spent just over five hours recently at Monks Cross retail park, with two friends, and between us…read morewe spent hundreds of pounds in the various retail outlets. I have just received £100 parking charge from the car park owner. It's my own fault, of course, as I failed to see the 4 hour maximum stay sign! It definitely won't happen again though, because I will shop elsewhere in future. What else do these GREEDY car park owners think we are doing in retail parks like this, other than spending money!!

Monks Cross is quite a good way to pass the afternoon if you can find a parking space - despite a…read morelarge number of parking spaces, it's generally packed to bursting point at the weekends. Shops include Next, BHS, Monsoon, HMV and Marks & Spencer. Supermarkets are Asda, Sainsbury and now Aldi. Food is available from Pizza Hut, McDonalds & Starbucks amongst others. Sainsbury and Asda also operate petrol stations. If you're after a bargain, check out TK Maxx or The Range just up Jockey Lane. There's also Polar Ford, Waterworld and a karting track in the vicinity.

Yorks best department store as far as I'm concerned!…read more I don't know if it's just me but wondering around the store, I can't help but get the feel that this place is a little old fashioned and I think that that is part of it's charm. The staff on each department are extreemly attentive and are quick to ask if you need any assistance whilst browsing! something that I would usually find quite irritating, but not in Browns as the approach isn't hard sell, it's just good old fashioned customer service. The make up counters are fantastic, and if you're looking to re stock your make up bag, then have a word with one of the cosmetic assistance as they are fully trained and can advise you of which products are for you

its a small department store, been going for as long as i've lived in york (15yr) so it can't be…read moredoing that baddly. fashion wise not much of interest for me, i would say its more for the mature generation. but i like a wonder through, and its not bad during the sales. and layout of the store is easy to navigate through. and the aisles are not narrow and cramped. oh if your looking for bra extenders etc there underwear section has all usefull little gadets (clothing related) that you might not find in other fashion stores in center of york the beauty counters are good though and the sisley and clarins counters staff are always pleasent and ready to help and advise on products, they also have a lancome, dior chanel, clinique and elizabeth arden can find some of the counter staff a little snooty, but thats fine by me as i just take my hard earned cash else where!

Located next to a large John Lewis store, in the Monks Cross area of York, this is quite a large…read moreMarks & Spencer store, from the outside, the store does look nice, impressive and modern. Inside the store, there is also a typical M&S Cafe as well as a Filmore and Union bakery, which has a small range of sandwiches, cakes as well as hot drinks - Filmore is quite big in the Yorkshire region, and has a large branch in the city centre, and also one at the train station in York. The staff around the store seemed friendly enough, but they didn't stand out exactly. The store had quite a large Food Hall, the selection of to go food also impressed me at the deli counter, although sadly none of it was either gluten-free, and the food which wasn't labelled as containing gluten was not suitable for coeliacs due to preparation methods which were a shame, this was quite a new thing for me having not seen this before at my local Manchester store, although at the time of writing this it has now been introduced in Manchester and possibly nationwide too. The checkout area, however, was a little messy and not as good as the Manchester store which I visit quite regularly, another main factor this store was missing compared to Manchester was the fact fresh juices such as freshly squeezed orange, and lemonade and the infused waters I enjoy were not on offer here. Parking is available it seems at both sides of the store, on the other side near the food hall, I noticed a few eateries and part of the construction of the new York Community Stadium, which will be home to a cinema and York City FC. A nice large branch of the department store chain, with a decent food hall, albeit once again it seems to fail compared to some other branches but still it is a decent and slightly above average tore which at least deserves a three-star rating.

I think they need to expand their size selection of men's clothes (or young men's)... but the…read moreclothes were very cute and in style.

like any other next store, has a good range of clothing for men and women, its a double fronted…read morestore, mens on the right and womens on the left. i normally find next clothes expensive, but they do tend to last, and because of their classic cuts, the style of clothing seems to stay fashionable for a few seasons after! but i think the next at designer outlet is better as it holds the clearence lines, and as the style never really seems to change, other then with the colours. its better value for money. as i tend to use next clothing as everyday wear, rather then for the special occasions.

Barnitts is a lovely shop selling things like lighting and other home ware. It's a big well laid…read moreout shop and although I often go in I've only bought one thing from there-a gorgeous big feature lamp which people always comment on when they come round. The only reason I rarely buy things there is because it's quite pricey compared to the likes of Ikea and in this day and age price is important!

Need something for your house? Go to Barnitts…read more Need something for the garden? Go to Barnitts. Doing some DIY? Barnitts again! If you need it, Barnitts will probably stock it and won't charge you an arm and a leg for it. Student discount is available on most items that aren't already subject to discount. From wooden spoons to wood screws and from pans to pond liner, Barnitts literally have it all. Sounds like we're on commission? Well we're not, get yourself down to the shop that goes on and on and on. Worth noting that they currently open on Sundays in the run up to Christmas only.

As the owner says, The Cat Gallery has an online shop, mail order catalogue and a retail outlet…read more So even though I have never been physically at the retail shop, in this age of virtual experience I want to add my review at this time. I'm often browsing the website or flipping through the catalogue. To date I've made three multiple item purchases. I've also experienced prompt and cheerful customer service several times via personal e-mail when I had questions or needed specifics on items since I couldn't see them in person before purchasing. I am sure the staff are very kind and helpful face to face! Thanks to the 'wonders of modern technology' I've also taken a full virtual tour of the shop. The colorful and eye-catching front window will draw you right in, like a cat after a wand toy. It was exciting to see some of my items right there on the shelves! The shop is beautifully laid out and the merchandise displays flow nicely through different rooms. I could spend hours here. It's a cat person's dream shop, really. Cat items for every room in your home, for outdoors, for office, apparel, books, artwork, stationery, you name it. And plenty of goodies for your cats as well. Items are all high quality and sourced from all over, and there's something for every price range. Treat yourself or buy a gift for that special cat person (or cat) in your life. You'll love the Cat Gallery.

If you love cats, this is the shop for you! It is wall to wall cats, cat ornaments and trinkets,…read morecat homewares, cat cards, actual cat toys and treats for actual cats, cats cats cats everywhere and home to the lucky black cats which I purchased for myself and for my nephew. Might have been just my imagination but even the shop girl resembled a cat with the way she had done her eyeliner to look practically feline. But a great shop and great for gifts for all your cat loving friends and family.

This is the kind of shop you pop into for a browse, not really with the intention of buying…read moreanything, but come out with arms full of 'stuff'.. So make sure you get a basket on your way in! Poundland has a bit of everything, from babies bottles, batterys and bleach to pet supplies, party poppers and pens. My daughter always stocks up on pens, paper crayons and felt tips aswell as naughty treats as yes, this shop does sell lots of sweeties and goodies! Some of the household stuff, as in the varses/picture frames aren't of the bestest quality - but who cares? it costs a quid! good value in anyones book.

Poundland can be the source of some fantastic bargains, and this is one of the bigger and better…read moreones. It's quite spacious considering, and they stock a particularly good range of food and drink. Service is friendly and there are plenty of checkouts so it's fine even at busy times. However as is inevitably the way with pound shops, they never stock the thing you go in for; you always come out with something slightly different, or completely different. Also, be wary of the quality of some of their electrical goods, like headphones, some of which are utterly terrible. And don't get too caught up in the one pound is a bargain! mentality- you might find yourself paying a pound here for something which will only cost up 60p in Tesco But otherwise, it's great.

I think I may have been a little generous giving Boyes a 3 star rating, but it holds a special…read moreplace in my heart as it was the favourite shop of my dearly departed Nana. Boyes sells a bit of everything, it's bordering on being (dare I say it ) a 'tat' shop.. It's a bit of a jumble sale! The first floor as various things for making your own furnishings, such as materials, cottons etc and on the ground floor you'll find a wide range of products from cleaning materials, DIY, kitchen wares as well as clothes, kids, mens and ladies to sweets crisps and various confectionery. Boyes is always value for money so if you fancy having a rummage around the shop, which is always just a little bit tatty, I'm sure you'll find something you never new you needed!

Cheap and cheerful! My OH gets all the birthday pressies for friends and relatives from here, just…read morefor that little something. Since we have both been on very low incomes until recently, Boyes has made the difference between whether or not we could buy people gifts at Christmas, too. No-one we want to know has ever got snobby about it. Also if you have a sewing project I'd recommend going to Boyes (don't waste your money at Gillies Fabrics in town, at over £10 a metre you could get a train to Leeds and buy from a sari shop for less!) if you just need something for a party costume or for the kids' Christmas plays or any sewing accessories.