Junction 1 is all about managing your expectations. The first time I visited, I had just been to…read morethe US and been on a serious spree in one of the outlet malls there. I went to Junction 1 expecting the same kind of unbelievable bargains there, especially as Belfast's first Ralph Lauren store had just opened there. Big mistake. You just don't get those kind of crazy prices anywhere but in the states. So, with my expectations of bargains managed right down, I made a second visit and was very impressed with both the range of shops and the prices. The best buys are to be found in M&S and the Next outlets, as well as Gap, Levis and Mexx. You'll get prices which are about half of what you would pay in the high street shops, but you may be buying goods that are a season or two old. As long as you're not looking for high fashion, there are savings to be made. M&S underwear, Next shoes, Gap clothes for children and jeans are all good choices and sadly the Ralph Lauren store has closed down. Maybe it was too expensive to do any business? The whole environment at Junction 1 is really pleasant, beautifully landscaped 'streets' and lots of open space, very much in the style of my beloved US outlet malls. There are plenty of places to bolster your energy reserves for round two of shopping - M&S café, Starbucks, Subway and Moe's Cafe which does very good scones. It's not really a place to take the kids, although if you have to, you could bribe them with a visit to Adventure Island, an indoor play area. Sadly you can't drop them off there and collect them 3 hours later, you have to actually stay with them. Now there's a niche in the market if ever I saw one.

Junction One is my kinda shopping experience...cheap, easy to get around, and tons of wonderful…read moreshops all in the same area. Heaven for most girls, and even for some guys (my dad's a huge fan, but he doesn't like to openly admit it). This place has really taken off since its opening in six years ago. Us poor Norn Ironers now wonder what the heck we were doing paying full price for all those clothes / shoes / accessories / cosmetics / other bits and bobs when you can get up to 60% off such things in Junction One. I've gotten so many things here over the years, many from shops which are long since gone (RIP Logo...darn that recession), and for really genuinely good prices. Ones to definitely check out are Next Clearance (no changing rooms is the only let down here), All Wellan Good (*really* cheap makeup and toiletries), Cosmetics Company (top brands such as Bobby Brown and Elizabeth Arden feature here, but you'll get them for a good bit cheaper than on the high street), Mexx and Tom Tailor. Unfortunately, as I previously mentioned, a few shops have closed over the years, including the awesome Ralph Lauren store and Pilot. One other slightly negative note is that the cafes are really quite expensive...no 60% bargains to be had in these! All in all, a tremendous shopping experience, and one which you won't regret.

This is an outlet centre which is genuinely full of bargains. Not in the same league as the crazy…read morereductions you find in US designer outlets, but well worth a visit nonetheless. There are a couple of high end outlets - Armani and Luella which is where the biggest reductions are to be found. On my last visit I saw mouth watering Luella handbags for £250, and I had seen them elsewhere at closer to £600, albeit the season before. Sadly the husband was with me and gave me The Look. The Look which says 'no more handbags.' The Armani shop had beautiful tops and dresses which I must admit I don't really need for the school run, also at less than half the original price. Outlet branches of high street favourites Warehouse and Jaeger are also good for a look around but just keeping mind that you won't find the latest must have pieces there. Basics and classics are what you're looking for here and you'll find them at about 50% off. The Jaeger shop also sells mens wear - the husband found a fab linen shirt for £30 which was a total steal. The whole environment at the Outlet is really pleasant, beautifully landscaped 'streets' and lots of open space, very much in the style of my beloved US outlet malls. There are plenty of places to bolster your energy reserves for round two of shopping - Costa Coffee, Starbucks and Simply Deans , which does a mean chicken caesar salad.

For Gods sake don't go when its raining, and we all know THAT never happens in this country…read more... NO shelter in between shops, we were scuttling about like rats up a drainpipe when the showers came on, this place is so badly designed its not funny, I don't give a pigs ass about mothers and babies, but I feel really sorry for elderly people and people with dogs who would find it hard to escape the wet weather. Half of the shops are closed down and the ones that remain are OK, but really not that many bargains to be had, some shops offer decent sale prices, but others offer little more than 10 - 20% off retail. The M&S is a complete shambles, selling nothing but the bottom of the barrel stuff they couldn't shift anywhere else. Go in summer if its a nice day but don't expect any bargains. The upside is that there is loads of carparking (because there are hardly any shoppers)

Bought a good pair of walking boots in here today, shop assistants were really friendly and knew…read moretheir stuff when I was asking questions. A bit pricy but seems to be good quality stuff and their staff are well trained

From the owner: Mountain Warehouse offer the best value at the lowest prices for all your outdoor pursuits, whether…read moreyou are an avid hiker looking for hiking boots a cyclist after comfort and style or skiing enthusiast looking to hit the slopes. Our ever expanding range now includes skiwear, technical and waterproof clothing, hiking boots,snow boots, base layers; suitable for hiking, walking,camping, travel, skiing, cycling, equestrian and running to name a few.

For my 999th review I thought I'd do a pound shop, after all they are the backbone of the modern…read moreHigh Street or the death of it depending on your opinion. Anyone this one based at Boucher Road is huge but you never seem to be able to find what you're looking for. Today I went in for a stapler but couldn't get one. I could get eight varieties of glue sticks though and plenty of rubbish straight to DVD movies. Usually I find these shops handy but this one isn't in my opinion. It also only had one Til open meaning there was a huge queue. Boucher Road can get busy especially on the weekends so if you're looking to pop in and out quickly I'd avoid this store. On the plus side there's plenty of parking and a few good neighbouring shops!