SMYTHS toy store is unique in that it is loved by kids and hated by parents! The sort of store that…read morecauses family rows the minute you cross the threshold. Mind you there are plenty of big kids in this world who just love it too!! It is the most amazing toy store that I have ever seen and being of the mature generation I can honestly say that places like this just didn't exist in my day!! Having said that I sneakily love going into this store as it makes sure that one is kept up to date with all the latest toys and gadgets to suite all ages. The range of outdoor and indoor games is truly fantastic and no wonder it is a child's paradise. All items are reasonably priced and if you can't make up your mind because you are overwhelmed by the choice you can always take the easy option and get a gift voucher and put the stress onto someone else!!

An absolutely massive toy shop with basically every toy under the sun, with it always being bunged…read morewith people its really popular with mums and kids alike who want to pick up the latest toys or stock up on board games and the like. I went in a couple of times to check it out and to see if there was anything I could pick up. Being a bit of a board game nerd I was happy to see their selection and I was pleasantly surprised with what they have to offer. Its located in the Bloomfield Retail Park which means it is close to main roads as well as plenty of other shops. There are always plenty of free parking spaces and there is a bank and ATMS on site which adds to the convenience of shopping here.

I am definitely a loyal fan of Stewart Millar although I often forget its name and refer to it as…read moreStuart Little (as in the little talking mouse) which of course causes hysterical laughter and confirms the kids' suspicions that I am in fact a total muppet. Stewart Miller is an independent retailer of toys, books, magazines and sweet shop stuff. I'm sure there's a better term than that for chocolate, drinks, crisps etc but that's what I call it. This shop's strength is in the offers they are always running and which change regularly. In the toy department, you often find lego you won't see elsewhere and they always have the latest must have sets. They often run promotions of 25% off lego which is great news for stocking up as lego is eye wateringly expensive. The same goes for play mobile sets which are even more expensive. The latest paperbacks are often on offer too and older titles for both adults and kids are at unbeatable prices all year round. You also get one off offers like huge scented candles which last for ages and don't have that horrible cheap smell for just £3.99. The selection of magazines and comics has to be seen to be believed, stretching across one whole wall of the shop. And they don't have any of those hateful notices telling you that 'we are not a library' so feel free to browse.

An essential cornerstone of the greater North Down area. Fantastic book offers and something for…read morepeople of all ages. Support the local businesses!

This a handy wee shop in Ards if you like candles and trinkets. I find it is the best place to buy…read morelittle things to decorate a table with or to buy Yankee Candles. I have bought several things from this shop and have always been impressed with the price and the service. The girls behind the counter don't bug you no matter how long you browse. I recently bought a friend of a friend, who's birthday party I was attending two gorgeous rustic candle holders and two scented candles for less than a tenner!! Bargain or what! The best thing is the girls behind the counter will wrap them for you and put them in a nice little bag making the gift look way more expensive than it is. There are three parts to the shop; one area for gifts as I've mentioned, one area for kitchen goods and cookware and an upstairs with children's toys and clothes. Everything is reasonably priced, you can pick up some really unusual kitchen goodies which I have never seen for sale anywhere else. Well worth a visit.

I do love a good pun, so Presence will get an extra star from me for that, particularly as I did…read morefind a very good present in this great little shop. You know those fiddly people in your life who cause you huge issues when it comes to present buying for them? A friend of mine had a milestone birthday approaching, but I don't know her well enough to warrant an absolute plethora of gifts. So, I thought I would play it safe and get her a bracelet. This particular one was a gorgeous pink beaded bracelet with a tiny charm, bearing of the name of the company who made it. The shop assistant was fantastic and provided the loveliest silver pouch for my, I mean, my friend's new piece of jewellery. As she lovingly wrapped the bracelet, I soon realised that I hadn't asked the price...ooops. Slight panic ensued, but as soon as the shop assistant pleasantly asked for £6, my heart started beating again. What a bargain for such a luxurious looking piece of costume jewellery. Happy days. If jewellery isn't what you're looing for, cards, homeware, upmarket soaps and toiletries, cards, wrapping paper and stationery are all included in Presence. Do take a peek.

This shop is exactly what it says on the tin. It is books, books and more books. Many of these can…read morecome in at about £1 to £5 and is probably the best place to get an annual of a bizarre autobiography. It wouldn't be the best place to try and get cutting edge, up to the minute fiction but is a great place to get almanacs or books on gardening etc. The place is always bunged with people and the books are piled high so it can seem a bit cluttered and isn't always the most calming place to be in but its ok if you have a bit of time to have a look through the seemingly endless piles of books. The staff are friendly and helpful and this is definitely a place to try and get a last minute present for your parents or grandparents.

At Christmas Bargain Books sells 3 rolls of wrapping paper and 1 roll of sticky tape for £2. So…read morethere you go, it is not just bargain books it is bargain everything. As I have already mentioned the main time I would go into Bargain Book is at Christmas time. Everyone has been there, it is Christmas Eve and you're still struggling to find a few presents for friends and relatives and you haven't even started your wrapping. Well that is when Bargain Books comes in handy, located in Bloomfield's shopping centre with great parking and ATM access Bargain Books is sue to bail you out. There is something for everyone in this shop, it sells books and bit and bobs for kids to grandparents. As the name suggests it will not break the bank either. I love Bargain Books for exactly that reason, even if you are out shopping and you want peace and quiet on the way home you could find a book or two to keep the kids entertained in the back of the car.

This review is for an employee at the Isle of Man Store. his…read morename is Will and he was very helpful. On Sept 24th we were looking for a deck of playing cards. Will immediately took us upstairs, all the way to the back of the store. Then he helped us at checkout. Exemplary customer service, thanks Will!

The branch of TK Maxx has had a refit in the past year making it a much more appealing place to…read moreshop. Located in Bangors main street there is a car par located at the rear of the store. The ground floor hosts ladies and kids clothing, accessories and footwear as well as toys and books. Upstairs is home to mens clothing and accessories, luggage and an excellent homeware department. I always find this store to be tidy and the staff are very helpful. There are loads of tills and a returns area so the checkout process is pretty fast. If you are a fan of a rummage check this branch out.

Now I'm not an outdoorsy or garden kind of person, but every time I visit this garden centre, I…read moreresolve to go home and transform our boring patio and lawn into a overflowing cottage garden. Then I get distracted by the interior goodies. And the café. There's always next year to create that garden. Donaghadee Garden Centre is the ultimate treasure trove of lovely things for your home. Scented candles, oven gloves, cushions, little pieces of furniture. If you're a minimalist freak, it's not for you, but if you love a little bit of controlled clutter, then you'll be in heaven. There's Cath Kidston galore and lots of shaker style pieces like wooden signs and table cloths. But none of it is twee which is my worst nightmare. Oh and the café. I often go in swearing that I'll just have a scone, and then just cannot resist the unbelievably good chicken and broccoli bake. It is just so tasty and full of proper pieces of chicken and real ingredients, and comes with beautiful home made coleslaw and salad. Delish. So, for those of you who must buy stuff for the garden when you're in a garden centre, there are all kinds of plants and shrubs and compost and other dirty things that you need for digging about in the flower bed. Happily for me, there are also some very knowledgeable members of staff to help the clueless.

Christmas tree selection was good, Santa not on site today. Had coffee and some freshly baked goods…read more Got 2 bird houses and bird feed. Staff helpful in selecting the bird feed