I love Excel but sadly can't often justify the prices to shop there. It's not that their stock is…read moreoverpriced, definitely not, but the labels they stock are high end - stuff like Diesel and Armani and VBD jeans. Beautiful clothes which will make you drool and for a special occasion good value for money. The good news is that twice a year Excel has a great sale, which starts at 25% off and ends up at 75% off which is when the real bargains are to be found. Of course it's a fine balancing act between waiting for the prices to go down and making sure they still have stock left in your size. What I also like is that the sales staff give you the same level of service whether you are a customer who buys there every week or are like me and go in twice a year for the sales. Excel stocks ladies, men's and children's clothes and as they have another branch in Newtownards, they will be only too glad to try to track down your size if they don't have it. Boys' Timberland clothes and shoes have been particularly good bargains for me so give it a go.

I went into this brand new Next shop which opened recently in Bloomfields and it is big inside, but…read morea nice shop. They seem to have the latest fashion on display and now they have a proper mens section upstairs and a cafe.

Now, this place may not win any awards for being cool and I used to curse my mother for buying me…read moreshoes from here when I was a young boy but now I'm older and buying my own shoes I can see why she brought me here year after year to get my school shoes. The prices aren't low but they're really, really good for the quality of shoe that you get and a pair of Clarks will last you ages. There is also that cool machine that works out your shoe-size which always used to amaze me when I was younger. The staff are knowledgable and friendly, not being too pushy with the optional extras like polishes and leather protector etc.

I usually don't like going to this Clarks Shoe shop as their kids department is upstairs and not…read moreoverly convenient for prams. I was passing today but and needed to get new shoes for my youngest so I thought I would nip in. As I said kids department is upstairs so I parked the pram in the designated area for prams and brought my wee one upstairs. There was no one else there, bonus I picked a good time to go, I noticed on my way in through the doors a ticket system so it must get very busy at times and to stop arguments between mothers they have thought of this. Shop is very well laid out in age categories and types of shoes. Lovely and bright too for kids. Assistant came straight over and measured my daughters feet and then went into the store and got all the available stock in her size, three pairs to choose between. Assistants are very knowledgeable in fitting for kids. Needless to say we came home with new shoes.

With my sister about to have a baby I have been dragged around this shop with her and my mum a few…read moretimes now so check out what they have on offer and to do the most of the heavy lifting, as an when heavy lifting was required. I have occassionally been asked my opinion but I doubt that it matters what I say as long as I agree with my mum and my sister. The shop itself is large and spacious with everything that you would need for a young family from prams and the like to toys, clothes and learning aids for babies and young kids. The staff are all friendly and polite and none of the prices seem extravagant or over the top. Its located in Bloomfield Shopping Centre so its really easy to get to with plenty of free parking and ATMs around so its really convenient.

This store has to have the best customer service in Bangor. There are probably worse things to deal…read morewith as a shop assistant, but indecisive parents must rank highly. Being one of them, I can only apologise and point you in the direction of this Mothercare for lessons on how to deal with us. I'll grant you high chair shopping is less than thrilling and test driving every high chair in the store twice, might seem over the top, but as first time parents, the decision is critical! A sympathetic shop assistant was quick to offer help and nodded knowingly while we debated each chair on it's merits. She was only too happy to adjust the straps on every chair, because you know, we wanted baby to sit in every one! Once we'd made this life changing decision she was only too happy to lug the thing to the car. An offer we declined, as we thought she'd gone through enough. Other than the fantastic customer service, the store is large, clean, bright and well stocked. It has a photo studio at the back and the usual large clean parent and baby changing/feeding area.

Bloomfield shopping centre is one of those places that I don't choose to go to .I only come here if…read moreI have too. I just feel that it is either quite a dead place to visit or it is so busy that the experience of shopping here can be quite traumatic! In honesty the place has improved over the last year and there have been quite a few new business opened up and some of the original ones have restructured but there still is something about the place that unlike other shopping centres doesn't entice me to want to stay and browse . In its defence there are a lot of new business opening which might improve the complex but I don't think anything would make me want to give up my precious time and come here for a days shopping .

Lots of decent shops. And growing…read more Can be very busy with people. Good that there is a food court. It doesn't have loads of seating though.

On of the best known and most liked high street female fashion retailers with a really good…read morereputation for good clothes. If I'm not mistaken, two girls I have went out with have went here to get formal dresses for events we were going to. Apparently they have great sales and a great selection, not that I would know, me being a male. You can get all sorts of stuff here from clothes, dresses, jeans, accessories, lingerie and basically everything else that girls need to look good. Apparently, well, so I'm told. As I say, I'm a male and don't shop here. It is based right in Bloomfield Shopping Centre so its easy to get to and there is plenty of free parking about and lots of ATMs and the like. The staff are young and helpful, but can be a little bit alouf at times. So there is no real reason not to go here, that is of course, if you are not a male.

I was in tempest this weekend and was reminded of what a great shop it is. What makes it so great…read moreis that it has lots of mini shops all under one roof. Take a look at this little lot: Top Shop Argento Exhibit Wallis Benetton and Sisley Kookai Faith Warehouse A Wear Oasis Benefit and Clarins make up I know, what a list! And you can honestly say to whoever is with you 'I only need to go to one shop.' Genius. Each shop really is small but they manage to have a good selection and little bits of everything. Tempest is a really good one stop shop when you need an outfit in a hurry. The only little niggle is that if you try on and want to buy a selection of things from different brands, you have to go to separate till points to pay for them. If they get that sorted, it'll be pretty darn perfect.

Right, as a male, there is very, very little for me on offer in Tempest, if anything. It is all wee…read moreshops of womens clothing, which I have been taken around a number of times by girlfriends, sisters and female friends. The shops on offer all seem to be to be much of a muchness. What really is the difference between Top Shop, Warehouse and Exhibit? Its all clothes for people who have an eye for mainstream fashion and who want to have something to wear on the beach or a night out. No big deal really. This place is what it is, you kind of know what is going on and what you are going to get. There is nothing for anyone who is either male or outside the mainstream. Alas, if you like TopShop this is the place for you.

I never even knew that shops like this existed…read more This amazing hat hire shop is not even obvious from the street and its full beauty only unfolds as you climb the stairs and enter the fabulous space. The walls are lined with hats of every shape, colour, size and material from the smallest little trilby style to the tallest flamingo hat. The lady who owns the shop also creates the hat and will offer a bespoke service for your special day. She happily let me try on her hats even though she knew they weren't for me but for my mum. The friendly owner sits at her desk hand making and repairing fasinators and hats by hand. For such a personal service you would expect the hats to be a fortune to hire but in fact you can hire a hat for as little as £30 - what a great idea, saves you having to actually buy something that is really only a one off item. Couldn't recommend any higher.

Was in to get 2 new suits from Focus. Quality and range remains as superb as ever…read more Got sorted for 2 beautiful suits, 2 shirts and nice new cap. The service from Paul and John was outstanding. A tailored experience to suit the customer needs just like every visit over the years. Keep up the great work. Customer for life Sam

This, along with Linley's on Main Street, is the one stop shop for suit hire wether it be for…read moreweddings or for a formal or any sort of formal occassion. The staff in here are extremely knowlegable and very professional. My mum bought my Dad a shirt from here and for whatever reason she had to bring it back and when she did she said that the service she recieved was really, really top class. She said that she can usually find places like that intimidating but the staff in here made her feel at home and at ease. You can get all sorts of stuff in here. From wedding suits to cufflinks and beyond. They have an excellent website that will talk you through all you need to do. Really professional and excellent service from start to finish.

Rough Stuff is pretty cool! It's an alternative clothing shop, sort of on par with Alley Cats or…read morerip off on Belfast but offering a little bit more than both. It's always been really busy when I've popped in here too. They sell a whole array f black, rock and metal clothing, accessories, bongs, knives, air rifles and everything in between and as the guys have said you can imagine the rebellious youth of the Bangorians coming here to piss off their snooty parents! The staff are great and always really helpful and I can't help not buying something while I'm in here! Their jewellery is pretty cool!

Rough Stuff is a shop that specialises in all things alternative. You will not find a Salmon…read moreT-shirt in this outlet. Located at the Bottom of High Street and opposite teen hang out McKee Clock, Rough Stuff is always busy. Why is it so popular you ask? Well it is a little different from everything else in Bangor. It provides rebellious teens and adults alike a different shopping experience. Packed full of Band t-shirts, pin badges, skater chains and posters. You would be forgiven for thinking you had been transported to early 90's Seattle. So if you are shopping for an alternative teen or fancy reliving your youth, pop down to Rough Stuff and have a sift through its unusual dark treasures, who knows you might even come out with a Nirvana T-shirt.