This place is stuffed full of useful things and it's all cheaperty cheap cheap! If you don't have…read moreyour England flag yet (I am sure you will do, but well just in case) there are plenty on sale here. Outside dustbins (£8.99) - they have plenty of these as well, as compost bins. I found a really useful wash basket to put my washed clothes in as I hang them up on the line or take them down. Plastic seats and plastic steps - hmmm rather a lot of plastic, it's not good for the sea, as it will eventually get there, I don't doubt that. Most of this shop is probably my dad's dreamland - paint galore, brushes, gardening pots of every kind, pet accessories. Would you believe it - reading glasses as well!

The Chandlers discount store in Allerton sells a wide variety of household goods, especially basic…read moreDIY equipment and other bits and bobs (that's how I shall put it as I'm no DIY expert)! Oh, and they sell chocolates too! Anyhow, if you're looking to replace your broken brush or mop, then you're in luck here. Everything in this store sells well in terms of price but I'm not sure about quality as I've not actually bought anything from here. From what I have observed, they have a generous selection of garden related items; this is what hit me most when I first entered. I would consider this store as very handy indeed because it provides all the home and garden essentials and if you're a hobbyist of such trades, you'll enjoy what the store has available.

Prom news is a small local newsagents. Early in the mornings the shop is frequented by many a…read moreschool child, all of whom are treated well and with respect by the staff, and the children do appear to return the sentiment and treat them with respect as well. Despite the shops size, it is very well stocked. It offers a very large range of drinks, sweets and groceries. Their prices are always competitive, matching or exceeding the prices offered by larger shops down the road. There are always special offers on which are advertised on a board outside the shop to tempt customers inside. The staff, in particular the lovely Beryl, are always friendly, helpful, cheerful and happy to have a chat when the shop isn't too full. The staff definitely make you feel welcome and do everything they can to make sure of that. Watch out for the lovely Alsatian who sleeps at the back of the shop, delivering the occasional lazy woof before going back to sleep.

Like it's just been thrown together by your nan and her mates, the Animal Rescue Store is the…read moreepitomy of charity shop chic - ? Cluttered and filled with all sorts of surprising and useless junk, this is just the type of place to spend your time pottering around if you happen to be in the Lark Lane area and you never know you could find a little gem in here - like most charity shops their vinyl collection can be very hit and miss but it is the type of place to walk in and see a mint condition rarity.

The Animal rescue shop and information centre works hard to preserve the welfare of mistreated…read moreanimals in the Merseyside area as well as providing people with information as to how they can be of some assistance. It was refreshing to see an establishment such as this which rather than focusing on material gain was genuinely interested in doing a good thing which is desperately needed. The staff here were polite and very well informed and it is clear that they are the best available people to carry out work of this nature and this means the whole place is very well run. The store itself is a tad shabby and this is probably due to a lack of funds but in my opinion the good will behind it outweighs the poor aesthetics. Well done to the people here for actually caring about something important and really following it through.

Kind Charity Shop in Bold Street is one of the largest charity shops I have been to. In here they…read moresell a charming collection of items that make the perfect little gift. Anything from mugs, 'The Beatles' picture frames and football memorabilia, they have here. The shop is quite spacious with several welcoming staff that greet you with a smile each time you enter. All prices in general are cheap with all funds going towards a good cause for helping local families and children. This shop offers more variety than most of the smaller charity shops as they fit in items such as ornaments, clothes and crockery. As well as that, they have the usual suspects like children's books and videos. The shop generates a good browse whenever passing by, because there is always something new in the window display. And sometimes, these items can be quite unique.

This will not be the typical charity shop that you will be expecting. There are no kooky vintage…read moreclothes to be had, no vinyl records to be salvaged from obscurity and no...oh wait hang on, yup it actually does have the same charity shop smell. I'm not sure where that comes from...maybe it's the staff. Anyway the Kind Charity Shop seems to sell things that are gained in bulk - God knows where from mind you - such as crockery, furniture, pictures and well to be honest just about anything you would probably never think of buying but see here at such a ridiculous price and end up trying to find somewhere for it in your house.

If ever I want a reminder of my holiday to Morocco nearly 15 years ago (high time I got back…read morethere!) I just pop to Arabesque on Lark Lane. Whilst enjoying the classic North African dips, salads, tagines and grilled meats and the sweet mint tea so fragrant and the surroundings so beautifully evocative, you are automatically transported to the Jemaa El Fna square in Marrakesh. You might even imagine yourself smoking a hooka pipe. On a sunny day get to Arabesque early-ish to nab a table outside; it's worth it. Lark Lane people watching AND some of the best houmous you can sample in Liverpool? What a combo! N.B. Arabesque is a Bring Your Own Booze restaurant with a £3 corkage charge so get yourselves a decent bottle from Tesco or the Co-Op nearby and you'll still be making a decent saving. Oh yes, and don't forget to check out the actual 'bazaar' before you leave. You'll be feeling in such a holiday mood you'll probably leave with a weaved basket or that hooka pipe you imagined yourself smoking in the Jemaa El Fna...

Great place to find original Moroccan handicrafts and sample authentic Moroccan food. You can sit…read moreat the pavement cafe and watch the world in Lark Lane.

Remar UK is a charity that I know little about and have never really heard of before so when I…read morestumbled across one of their stores I thought it might be a good idea to give them a bit of a mention and hopefully draw some attention. Their store in Aigburth is fairly standard as far as charity shops go but can throw up some real surprises with some furniture on sale being brand new and of a high quality. The staff here work hard for the cause and their enthusiasm and friendliness is infectious and I could not have been more impressed with their attitude. On the whole the point here is not about how good the business is although it is a well run one, the point is that these people are working for a good cause and the people of Liverpool should support it.

Remar is a large charity shop on Aigburth Road, close to Lark Lane. It specialises in furniture and…read morehas a large range of items. They sell bedroom furniture, dining tables, chairs, sofa's, beds, shelving, occasional tables and garden furniture. They have a massive range of styles from your basic MFI type furniture to the more expensive and classy solid wood items. The staff are very friendly and helpful. They greet you as you walk in and are happy to help and direct you to the sort of item you want. They don't pressure you but give good advice and information about the furniture they sell. If you do not need help they are happy to leave you to browse at your leisure. There is a small area of the shop which is like your usual charity shop with books, records, ornaments, glassware toys and shoes. It's a bit untidy and looks like a jumble sale in this area, but it's worth a rummage.

This little shop, otherwise known locally as 13, is situated at the start of Lark Lane. It is an…read moreamazing little shop, with a definite tardis effect apparent as soon as you walk in. The shop is filled with cards, postcards, jewellery, wrapping paper, stationary, lighting, novelties, books, artwork, watches, bags, clothes, toys, ceramics, cosmetics and much much more. The shop is cluttered with hundreds of different items but at the same time it is tidy, clean and well organised. Whenever I have to buy a present or a card this is my first stop. There are gifts suitable for people of all ages and appropriate for all occasions. There is a huge range of cards available for all occasions. From the cute handmade cards to give to your mum, to the hilariously offence cards to give to friends, there is something here for everyone. My favourite part of the shop is the jewellery cabinets by the windows. The stock in here is changed and updated regularly and there is always something in the cabinets that catches my eye when I feel like treating myself to something sparkly.

A fantastic little shop that seems crammed from floor to ceiling with all things kitsch and…read moredesirable. From jokey Jesus statues to gorgeous mirror compacts, beautifully delicate jewellery and quirky cookie jars, this shop has it all. Similar to Utility in town, this has a more homey feel about it, and the staff are very nice. The only problem I found is that because it is so small I was scared to turn around in case I knocked something over and had to pay for it. Prices range from inexpensive to a raised eyebrow, as, for example, the compact mirror I was gushing overturned out to be £8. For a bit of plastic? I gasped. Yes, we all know I'm a miser. However, there are some truly hilarious bits and bobs in here, and it is hard not to buy anything. I especially loved the Carry on Camping plates that were on display in the window - imagine serving dinner on them and seeing Babs pertly staring at you...

This is the BIGGEST Tesco I went to while in the UK! It is huge! 2 levels, a huge car park (parking…read morelot/garage) and aisles of deals. If I had to compare this to a store in the U.S., it's definitely a Super Target. There's a clothing section, as well as household, office, and seasonal items in stock now. You would be in trouble if you're not able to control yourself with impulse buying. They offer the convenience of Scan, Shop & Pay, so you can scan items and pay for them as you shop. You'd need to check out one of the scanners in the front of the store, and probably download the app on your phone. Another feature offered here is the Click + Collect option (think Target Drive-Up). The store and car park are very well kept up. They are well lit and clean. I didn't see any shopping carts stranded in anywhere. The employees are friendly and helpful. You can bring in your own reusable bags, or purchase theirs at 30p ($.38) each. I highly recommend coming here for all of your grocery and miscellaneous needs. Locals can also sign up to be a rewards member for extra savings. Be extra and get your shop on at Tesco Extra!!

On the 4th Sunday of every month the Lark Lane Farmers Market takes place. It is set up at the…read moreAigburth Road end of Lark Lane and curves round onto the paved area of Aigburth Road. There is always an excellent mix of stall here selling produce such as sweets, plants, coffee, cheeses, specialist sausages, specialist meats, beers, smoothies, cakes, black & white pudding and much much more. Many of the stalls have free samples to try and the smell that emits from the market is delicious. The produce on sale is often more expensive than you would find in supermarkets but this is to be expected. The produce is of an excellent quality and you wont find many of the specialist items in supermarkets at all. This is a great addition to the Lark Lane community.

The bohemian chic of Lark Lane, which is littered with bars, eateries and quirky stores selling…read moreretro interior accessories. Drinkers mill about with students - presuming there's a difference between the two - and "dedicated followers of fashion". What a perfect place for a farmers market. This market, held on the last Saturday of every month, is bigger than its counterpart in Woolton Village, although it does suffer slightly in comparison as half of it is on the edge of busy Aigburth road. A great plant stall selling lovely and unusual bushes at very decent prices greets those who enter the market from Lark Lane. The kind of stall Woolton is missing out on. There's myriad cake and bakery stalls selling pasties, pies, pastries and bread and the ever present Savin Hill Farm meat stall, which sells sausages presumably butchered in Heaven. Last time I went, today (28 August), there was a fantastic flower stall with some of the sunniest sunflower bouquets I've ever seen for a mere £3. A very good place to visit every now and again, but it rarely changes, which is a shame.

Park Road discounts is an independent general store which sells all manner of bargain goods to the…read morepeople of Liverpool. The range here is vast moving from toiletries to pet foods and there is a surprising array of products on offer which came as a pleasant surprise to me and my fellow shoppers. The quality here is not always of the highest standard but the price is low enough to mean that most people simply do not care. The staff are good and although it may not be much to look at it is a well run and well kept establishment which ticks along nicely. The value is good and the products are essential meaning that this place is a real treat and a handy place to have around for the people of Park Road.