I really like this branch in the Gordon's chain. I will go on record as saying that this is…read morepossibly the most immaculate pharmacy style shop that there is around: the shop always seems to be dazzlingly clean and the stock is always fronted well so the shop always looks in great condition. The store has the usual blend of hygiene and health and beauty products that you would expect, with a good range of special offers in all product ranges. There is a pharmacy inside which is very handy, being a 2 minute walk from the health centre just up the hill. There is a good perfume section and some home electric items, and has all the things you would want from a store like this. If only the staff were more cheery, but I know someone who worked here and the owners are apparently v very strict and banter is kept at a minimum!

Isn't it just typical that when you break your sunglasses, the sun decides to come out? When I…read moreaccidentally snapped the arm off my £1 Primark specs, I figured I'd be ok until next summer. But oh no, the very next just *had* to be on of the sunniest days of the summer. And I was stuck in Saintfield, blinded by the light, so to speak. Oooh, fun times. Gordons is one of my favourite chemists anyway, but it's gone up a whole lot more in my estimation now. Not only do they stock excellent makeup wipes for a mere 99p, or indeed stock a whole lot of other things for 99p, but they do a rather nice selection of sunglasses. Bingo! A pair were spotted, tried on, complimented (by my sister) and purchased alongside half the shop...I needed to purchase some 'necessities' too you see. I had initially thought the sunnies were going to be £5, which was decent enough for a category three pair of shades. When I got to the till, however, they came up at £2.50 - half price! Ooooh, I wasn't half a happy bunny. Never did I even consider Gordons for a pair of glasses, but it seems these places do everything these days, and ridiculously cheap prices too. Oh Gordons, how I love you...

The second of two chemists in Dromore (on exactly the same street, practically opposite each…read moreother), Johnston's could not be more different from its neighbour. In a good way. Light, airy and spacious, Johnston's is on a par with the bigger chain stores, and all three of these factors definitely make for a much more enjoyable shopping experience. I could have run round the chemist freely, unafraid of bumping into a hair accessories stand, or a random bundle of nappies (which I didn't, just in case you're wondering). The staff exuded cheerfulness, but in a very professional way, and even the baby in the buggy in front of me appreciated the staff, shouting "bye, bye lady" over and over again to the pharmacist. Bless him. When I came to pay, I was met with a polite smile, and an hello, which was really lovely. Johnston's isn't a particularly expensive either, despite having the look of a more up market chemist chain. Buying your toiletries in here certainly won't break the bank, and I even noticed a basket of Sure deodorants for £1.25...just one of the many decent prices. Yes, a rather pleasing choice of pharmacy indeed.

Another day, another pharmacy, but Saintfield Pharmacy (aka Trevor Baird Ltd) stands out in my mind…read morefor three reasons: 1) It's right beside the Post Office. Like properly adjacent...there's not even a wall dividing the two. Pharmacy and Post Office = one and the same. Novel, I thought. And useful, except the Post Office wasn't open when I was in. Ah well. 2) They have a quite a significant jewellery / handbag selection...lots of those little charm bracelets that seem to be *everywhere*. Really pretty stuff too - gorgeous patent bags in a variety of colours. And this is a pharmacy remember! 3) The young girl who served me had the most stunning gel nails, and despite her protests, she really was managing rather well with them on. Gosh, I am such a girl... I did purchase a smoothie shower gel thingamajig, which was apparently the most forgettable aspect of the visit, as I didn't even notice until last night that I didn't have a clue where it had gone. Oopies... Great pharmacy though. As pharmacies go.

The first of three pharmacies I visited in one day, James Stirling was by far the...strangest. I…read moreknow, you're thinking I must be pretty ill, or perhaps I was after something that the others didn't have. Or it could just be that I am very, very sad. And I think we all know which of the above it is. I can't help it though, it's like an addiction. I need to be constantly checking out different pharmacies. Maybe they could prescribe me something? Anyways, James Sterling was definitely a unique chemists, mainly for two reasons: 1) It's like a pound store meets pharmacy meets cluttered jumble sale. There was so much going on, stock everywhere, tons of packets of nappies stuffed on top of the shelves on the walls, random display units dotted here, there and everywhere...the whole place was in organised disarray. I half expected the walls to start closing in, and those nappies to start popping out everywhere. Oh baby. [Yes, this is still point 1...it's just an extension] On top of this, the aisles were exceptionally narrow, so much so that I had to breathe in to let a lady and her pram past (and this was after she had attempted to get down the adjacent aisle). I'm not the claustrophobic type, but it was starting to make me feel a bit squished. Just a bit. 2) The sales assistant was strangely sing-songy..."hello!", "thank you!", "goodbye!" (just imagine the high [though not unpleasant] sing-song voice), when I went to purchase my 99p deodorant. (NB. It *is* quite a well-priced place). Well, after all that, I felt a bit bewildered by the whole experience. Still am to be honest...

The pharmacist is very helpful in getting what you need, and surely that's the main thing. Willing…read moreto make all sorts of arrangements to ensure you don't run out of your medication, and surely for a pharmacist that's job number one?

Not once have I been in a Co-operative Pharmacy. Up until fairly recently, I was certain they were…read moregrocery shops, and occasionally travel agents, but never a chemist. You learn a new thing everyday, huh? My (well, my sister's) first reaction about this place was the smell. It was a musty, nose-wrinkingly unpleasant one. Not good. The second reaction was one of 'blinkin' heck, this place is pokey', and 'gosh, there's really not an awful lot of stuff here'. The third reaction was one of reminiscence. The Co-op pharmacy seemed to be stuck in the 90s - it's decor was dated, the layout and their way of doing things were a bit old-fashioned. The two other customers in the shop seemed to be joining in with the whole 90s feel, and were wearing a few garments from around that time. Well, things could only get better really, right? Thankfully, they did. A large stand filled with cheaper-than-usual goodies caused a flurry of excitement, as the two of us ran over to have a look. I grabbed some Tresemme hair mousse for £2.36, plus straightening balm for half price, and continued to have a dig for more goodies. My sister, on the other hand, had become strangely captivated by a mint breath freshener for 50p. When she initially spotted it, she commented, "Oooh, I should totally buy that", but I (more fool me) totally thought she was pulling my leg. Apparently that was not the case, and the longer she gazed at it, the more you could see that she thought this was the best idea ever. There was no dissuading her...that breath freshener was all her's. The little old lady at the till was a friendly one, and despite her having some trouble with the markdowns, she managed to get there in the end. Bless her. I have to note that this was an incredibly worthwhile trip in terms of my little sister finding that one thing she had always secretly desired, as well as me finding those bargainous hair products, but apart from that...well, it wasn't up to a whole lot.

This shop is brilliant!! Its got everything and all at bargain prices. Well worth a visit to see if…read moreyou can pick up a wee bargain. The store is well stocked and stock is regularly renewed and updated along with frequent speical seasonal offers. The staff are friendly and helpful and of assistance. The store can be very busy in the summer due to the vast numbers of tourists in the area. The store is open 7 days a week 9am to 6pm throughout the year. The store is well presented, tidy and well laid out. The store is spacious and all shelves are easily accessible.

Even when I was younger I was a cynical one, frequently commenting on why a small place like…read moreSaintfield has 2 different pharmacies, and unfortunately this view has remained with me to this day. I am convinced that the only reason that this place continues to survive is because of the attached Post Office. Old people are the main pharmacy users, much like post offices, so the two combine into one substantial customer base. The post office in here is bog standard, with the usual blend of stationary items and surly service. The ladies in here are always really unhelpful for some reason, I don't know if its age-ism or if there is something about my face that annoys them, though that would be understandable! The rest of the chemist has your usual hygiene and healthcare products, but a more limited selection, higher prices and less special offers than the Gordon's chemist up the street. I got speaking to the pharmacist here one day and he was very nice indeed, but otherwise nothing else about the place is good except its proximity to the post office!

Hannawin's Medical Hall was the first port of call for a highly distressed sister of mine. Her skin…read morehas been causing her a few issues, bless her, so she wanted to pop into a pharmacy to see if they could recommend anything for her. When we approached the first sales assistant (at the prescriptions section), she was anything but helpful, and directed us to the skincare aisle, where we'd just spent the last five minutes looking. Asking my sister what she'd had in mind, to which the reply came "anything", the sales assistant scoured the shelves and finally gave up, handing us over to another sales assistant. I was starting to wonder if this was a good idea after all... Well, it seemed it was. The second sales assistant, a younger, friendlier girl, was far more affable and helpful, asking questions about my sister's skin, giving her hints and tips, as well as recommending certain products. Ah, that was more like it. Unfortunately, Hannawin's didn't actually stock the acclaimed products (whoopsies), but Miss Cheerful sales assistant wasn't fazed. She simply referred us to another pharmacy, smiling all the while. Lovely jubbly. Extra star just for you lady. Hanna (whoever she may be) may have won with this super sales assistant, but more importantly, Lynne and sister also did. Not bad.