The Llandudno branch of Mothercare is tucked away in a corner of the Victoria Centre next door to…read moreBoots. Although it isn't the biggest Mothercare you'll ever find they do manage to squeeze in more or less everything you'll need if you have young kids. Lots of clothes, prams, toys and other nursery equipment. The one big drawback is that you can't park outside so if it can be a bit awkward if you're buying something bulky like a pram. The staff are however very helpful and will do what they can to help.

I've visited TK Maxx shops all the way from Birkenhead to Bangor and the one thing that connects…read morethem all is that they rarely fail to disappoint. The main difference between those stores and this new branch in Llandudno is that I don't have to travel as far to be disappointed anymore. I visited this branch a couple of days after the store first opened and it all looked a bit shabby and messy. That was in fairness partly due to the fact it was very busy (whether that will still be case once the novelty has worn off only time will tell) but somehow the place didn't look as bright and shiny as a new business should. The range of stock wasn't great and although this is an outlet shop it's still expensive, although I guess if you really have to have a Ralph Lauren polo shirt you're better off paying £24.99 for one here than paying £70.00 elsewhere. The children's clothing section was very limited and about two thirds boy's clothing compared to one third girl's, which isn't great for me as I have two daughters. The shop was full of rude customers standing in the middle of aisles and not letting anyone past or otherwise barging other customers out of the way. On top of all of this the store is located on a retail park which allows parking cowboys to fleece customers and it's in a town with very poor road links which makes getting in and out difficult at peak times. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I won't be rushing back.

Twenty years or so back no day out in Chester would be complete without a visit to River Island. It…read morewas, in my mind at least, one of the trendy shops. These days I have a branch on my doorstep and on the rare occasions I go in there I find myself wandering the menswear department muttering things like that material looks a bit flimsy and HOW MUCH!!!. I accept that I no longer fit their target demographic but some of items on offer these days appear to me to be extremely garish and there are things I wouldn't be seen wearing if they paid me. There are some nice clothes mixed in but ultimately this is a shop for people who value style over substance.