Everything a corner shop could need, plus alcohol…read more If you're an avid reader of my reviews, you will recall an Italian Bistro I used to work at which used to send me out for pizza because it was on the menu but we didn't cook it. The same bistro used to send me running out to the 10 til 10 to get Amaretto for the occasional late night regular who'd prop up the bar and regale us all with the week's gossip. So it has always been the place for me where you can get emergency alcohol. And there's a decent selection. I do miss the way it used to be with a wooden frame separating you from the drink and grubby windows which students and tramps alike pressed their noses against whilst picking their drink of choice. These days they're a lot more trusting and let you get the majority of stuff yourself, but then they've obviously come under new management too, if the gaudy new shop sign is anything to go by. I have before and after pictures for comparison...

10 til 10 is a small convenience market that is actually open from 9am to whenever they feel like…read moreshutting, which is sometimes as late as 2 or 3 in the morning. I guess by lowering the expectations about when the shop was going to actually be open they expected that people walking past at midnight would be pleasantly surprised and would venture in and but Snack-a-Jacks and Blossom Hill rose aplenty. This is a particular gem if you have a friend, or indeed if you are a friend, who lives around the area. In which case a few six packs of export strength lager and a bag of minstrels procured at just-above-supermarket prices mean that the party can keep on going long after the last orders at the Pilgrim has been rung. Oh hells yeah.

Spar has recently moved from a nearby location to the corner of Dale Street (where there once lay a…read moreHSBC). This Spar definitely has the most futuristic look about it with its glossy, glass-panelled and chrome finish on the exterior. I don't often shop at Spar because prices are generally expensive compared to competitive stores and of course it isn't really the place you'd go to do your weekly shopping; it's more of an emergency shop for locals and business folks nearby. Spar is located in a prime location for office workers in the area and has ideal products for people on-the-go. This makes it a great place to grab a quick lunch and newspaper or magazine. Let's say that this is your super mini-mart!

This is a very conveniently located store located on busy Dale Street. As you would expect it's…read moregreat for essentials like bread, milk etc and also good for picking up a bottle of wine on your way home from work to the train station :) They also sell a wide selection of magazines and newspapers plus lottery tickets and scratchcards and there is a food to go counter at the rear of the store for freshly prepared sandwiches and pizza. I think its open from 7am til late. There is also a cash machine in store too but it charges £1.50 for withdrawals.

Every single time I use this shop theirs a problem, calming he has no change, arguing with…read morecustomers about paying by card not cash - whats that about?. They also always claim the "Collect +" system is down 3 times over the past 2 weeks even though I could see parcels on the shelf.....

The guy who runs this shop is a total ar*ewhole. Argues everytime with customers called me a "white…read morepiece of trash" for going in to look for something which turned out they didn't sell and asked "why come in if you're not buying anything" Told him the reason and that what does it matter if I come in and don't buy anything. He refuses to do Walrus cards saying he doesn't have to do them even though he's operating Pay Point. Doesn't want you to pay by card and if you do he tries to charge you £1 extra. Very arrogant and would never shop there even if he gave me stuff for free.

I have come to this shop multiple times a day every single day as I work close by. Best selection…read morearound and I always had nice chats with the workers. That is until they hired a new man behind the till. Yesterday he told me word for word to "hurry the f* up and come to the other till". Then when the item wouldn't scan he told me to "get my sh*t and go". Shocked and will not come back anymore.

As long as you don't mind queuing with a tramp for what you imagine is some much needed booze at…read more3am - and lets face it if you're getting more booze at this time then one more tramp is going to bother you - then this is the place for you. Swift Drinks offers 24 hr booze supply for those who just don't know when enough is enough and God bless them for it. The saviour of many a Saturday night/Sunday Morning when town just isn't enough for a good time! What can I say there is often a grizzled, goblin-like man in a glass booth despatching drink and fags to people with a menacing, bitter quality because, well they're trapped behind a glass booth and you're all partying til the early hours.

Swift Drinks is an absolute lifesaver for those that refuse to stop drinking when the clubs in town…read moreclose and boot everyone to the streets! It's pretty much an all night off licence, fashioned a little bit like an Australian bottle shop! Keep your wits about you when you buy from here though as sometimes weird characters hang around this place in the middle of the night. A friend of mine almost got mugged walking away from this place with a crate of beer; luckily he managed to get to a black cab in good time! This place sells beers, cigarettes, wines, and spirits throughout the night and is very reasonable priced considering! They also sell condoms, if you're caught short on the way home from a club with someone you've picked up! They sell loads of snacks too! Crisps, chocolate, sweets etc! Great for those with the munchies in the middle if the night! Your can get a can of Fosters for £1.10, and I think this is the cheapest beer they sell. Just look out for pissed people after a kick off in this area late at night!

Tesco Express has sat on Mount Pleasant for a couple of years and up to now, it has done really…read moregood business in terms of attracting all the students, just by daily observation. This small yet convenient store is the ideal place for passers by who are looking to buy basic items such as snacks, magazines and drinks. However, prices are a touch higher than your main Tesco Metro in the city centre. This does make sense considering it is an Express version, so it is almost like an emergency shop in some cases. It saves time but it doesn't save money, although the difference is only talking pennies! This Tesco Express is open till as late as 11pm, so it is a great option for people who live nearby.

I am completely gutted by the service in this Tesco Express. Wasn't impressed by the customer…read moreservice, I was in purchasing just one product and felt hurried out because of the time of night. Unpleasant looks and staff were loitering rather than being helpful. Never leave reviews but felt the need after this because I felt rather disappointed and offended leaving the store. Won't be hurrying back.

County Mini Market is a small general store based on the 'always busy' County Road. They sell a…read morerange of products such as magazines, bread, snacks and confectionery at affordable prices. However, I don't consider it a prime choice especially when you have other local shops nearby that offer a lot more variety and quality produce. Plus, Tesco Metro is only down the road. If you are just passing by and wish to grab something quick (by impulse), then this shop may take your fancy.

Coutny Mini Mart, on County Road, is a small, independent convenience store. They sell general and…read morebasic grocery items like bottled drinks, crisps, canned foods, milk, and bread. If you're in a jam (or out of jam!), it's a good place to nip in and grab what you need. As far as variety--skip it. Drive up to the Iceland or the Somerfield nearby if you want more choice, and fresh produce.

Tesco Express on Strand Street is a good convenience store, located by the docks in Liverpool city…read morecentre. The facilities inside the store are good, this is a Hermes Parcelshop, so you can drop off packages here with Hermes (Good for cheap packages and Amazon returns), there is also a small Krispy Kreme doughnuts stand and Costa Express coffee machine. The layout of the store was pretty good, it was more visually appealing than other Tesco Express stores I have visited. The selection in-store was fine, obviously, the prices are what you'd expect for a Tesco Express store, which can be just over 10% more than a regular Tesco due to it being a convenience style location. My main issue with the store was the unfriendliness of the security guard, who seemed to have let all the power go to his head, he was standing on the door, blocking the only way into the store, I ended up having to squeeze past him, as he refused to even acknowledge me or move, both entering and leaving the store. I have never felt more unwelcome and like a criminal just for entering a store. 3* - The store its-self is good, but I probably wouldn't return if the security guard keeps acting like a nightclub bouncer at a low-grade boozer.

What to say about Victoria News. It's a newsagent, and so accordingly it sells newspapers and…read moremagazines (although not the broad and varied range of some similar shops in the area). It also sells chilled soft drinks, sweets and chocolates (which on hot days you might even find beside the Lucozade in the fridge) and crisps. The selection of the latter is a little disappointing but I am pleased to say there was a strong showing from McCoys - which are the go-to crisp-of-choice when I find myself caught in potato snack related indecision. They house a Western Union machine so you can wire money from here and receive said monies if you are so lucky. They also sell lovely postcards of the city which you could always send to your friends and family to let them know of all the incredible fun you're having in Liverpool. There aren't any postcards with "Greetings from...Victoria News" on them though - with a shot of the newspaper racks and the ice cream cabinet. Frankly this seems like a marketing opportunity missed.