This store caters for the more mature lady (fifties plus) I would say and stocks a good range of…read morecompetitively priced clothing and accessories - jumpers, jackets, trousers, skirt, coats and evening attire. The staff are very helpful and if you sign up for a Bon Marche Card you get extra benefits such as discounts and entry into prize draws. The store is located opposite Edinburgh Woollen Mill and it is easy to pop over the road at the Pelican Crossing to visit both shops. It is popular with the coach trips that visit Carlisle and there is a good cafe opposite too!

This is an excellent store to buy clothes as it is not as expensive as some stores in Carlisle…read more Good selection of tops and helpful staff

I really do love Matalan for their really great prices. Although I do feel that you have to be…read morecareful with what you buy as I have had a few cheap vest shops completely reshape themselves in the wash. Apart from that I have never had a problem with any other item from here. They stock childrens, mens and womens clothes including shoes all at really low prices, and if there is a sale on then it is even better. The lingerie is a particular fave of mine as there is always an offer on the knickers where you get three pairs for a fiver. You do need a Matalan card to make a purchase but you can sign up for free in the store and they often have member only offers aswell such as two tops for £6 which was on recently. I adore the Homeware section as they stock everything from gorgeous prints to cheap tea towels and most of my kitchen accessories are from here. They are always right on trend with their colours and patterns. The bedding is really good and I am still using a duvet set which I bought from here five years ago and it looks as good as new. There can quite often be quite a queue but it does move quickly and the staff are always happy to help. If you can't find a certain size they will go and have a look in the back for you and more often than not do come back with it.

Matalan has a huge range of clothing, so you can usually find something. The clothes are cheap, but…read morecan fall to bits quite quickly, so for some things it's worth paying a bit more to have it last longer. The queues here can be massive. You need to have a Matalan card to shop here. Matalan does have a classy range of homeware and interior furnishings. Their duvets and pillows are very good value. Be careful when you park not to leave your car after going to Matalan and nip into town. I got fined for doing that; they've changed the rules recently. Silly really, I've never seen that car park anywhere near full.

I was afraid I might die. The ceiling of this place has bits literally falling off. Exposed metal…read morewith paint chips the size of dinner plates just falling to the ground. It is in need of some SERIOUS repair. That being said, it is like all of the other discount stores around, you will find good(or not so good ) deals, one thing that absolutely surprised me was their shoes. They started at sz 4 and went up to a size 8. I'm not at all sure if there is a difference in our shoe sizing, but that just seemed rather odd to me.

I spent nearly an hour in here yesterday as I love to browse all the different departments and…read morethere is so much stock to look at. Situated in the Market Hall above Wilkinsons this shop is massive. I love the the way that the stock changes all the time and that you can always find a bargain, whether it is a pair of shoes, a handbag or a new throw for the couch. The different depatments include womens, cildrens and menswear. Although they do homewares and often small items of furniture aswell. I love to look at the children's toys although the range can be quite limited in our store and I have seen better in other towns. The fitting room are huge although I am not keen on the doors which seem to be quite small with a huge gap at the bottom not good if you bend down to far. I only realised yesterday that our store stocks children's bedding in particular baby sleeping bags which I wish I has known before I had bought my daughter a new one last week. I also love the range of photo albums that they always stock and can't resist coming away without one everytime I am here. They are definitely at least half the price of any equivalent shop elsewhere in town. I would defintiely recommend visiting here if you have at least an hour to kill and everyone loves a bargain.

This is the strangest shop. Like time travel. It is stuffed with several decades worth of very…read moreinteresting clothing and objects. If I were a younger person I would cobble together the best outfits in the world from this place. Pith helmets, belts made of gun cartridges, velvet pantaloons, it's all here. This is where anyone with a sense of style and the dramatic should shop. The owner is an absolutely lovely guy. Must see.

Strawberry Fields is a tiny but fabulous vintage store with -- literally -- a mountain of great…read morefinds inside. This shop is owned by a sweet and lovely man who looks like he stepped right out of 1960... he'll help you to find anything you're after, and direct you around the haphazard piles and racks that are scattered everywhere. Strawberry Fields is a treasure-trove -- there is NO organisation whatsoever and you have to literally dig through everything to find what you're after. This isn't everyone's cup of tea but I LOVE it and relish the chance to find something genuinely unique. The prices are tiny too. Absolutely awesome, the best thing about Carlisle!

Claire's Accessories is fantastic for that little piece of costume jewellery you really need to…read morecomplete an outfit. I do think that is has become more expensive but it is still affordable. This shop is quite small and once again I would never attempt to go in here if I had the buggy with me. The range in this shop is fantastic, from headbands to earrings, and necklaces to shoes. They even do a range now which is specifically for younger children and teens but still very trendy. I have never had a problem with the earrings and find that they keep their colour really well even if they have only cost a couple of pounds. They do ear piercing here and although I have never used this service I have heard good reports from friends who have. They also often have some good bargains a lot of the time and it is worth a look on the off chance there is something worth having.

Heaven for tweens and teens alike. i found a great headband with rabbit ears for a school play…read morecostume here. Little girls into accessories will always find something they like here. Cheap prices, but reasonable quality.

The first Fair Trade shop to open in Carlisle. Well worth supporting. Tucked away in a lane next to…read moreHSBC. You can find jewellery, hand made cards, wrapping paper, foodstuffs (more range than Fair Trade goods you find in supermarkets). Has a large range of Fair Trade clothing also.

Adorable store. What a delightful surprise. Though a bit challenging to find, once you get there,…read moreyou will not be disappointed. They have unusual merchandise and because everything is FairTrade, there is no guilt. Great GIFTS~!

Situated just down from the main shopping area on Botchergate this is a one stop shop for…read moreeverything bridal related. It stocks a good sized range of wedding gowns often with some you can buy off the peg and for others it takes round six months for them to be ready. The shop also sells bridesmaids dresses and prom dresses in all the colours of the rainbow and in as many different styles aswell. Upstairs there is a salon where you can have your nails done and also your hair. It really is a fantastic concept and the prices are really competitive aswell. You can also get accessories such as shoes, veils and tiaras and I really don't know why you would need to go anywhere else. The staff are very patient and accommodating and very good at suggesting a dress that will suit your shape really well.

If I could have given zero stars I would…read more Extremely disgusted at the pricing practices at Gretna Green Outlet: My son was looking to purchase a kilt which was perfectly sized and exactly the Tartan he wanted. Tried it on and it was a perfect fit. Label stated: Waist 34" Hips 44" Length 24" £360 Flashes included He was then told by the lady in the "Big Wee Shop" that that was not the price he would pay as it would have to be made to measure and that particular kilt would be in the region of £900!! Clearly a method of "upselling" to a higher price and lower quality. Underhanded? I think so.

Stopped off here as a halfway point to meet some friends. You think outlets, loads of stores. Well,…read morethis wasn't to impressive. They did have some stores worth checking out but majority didn't even get a second glance. Also loads of empty store fronts which did make it feel sparse. I guess If there's a certain store that you so like and it's available, you'll come.