The following conversation ensued between my sister and I over lunch yesterday…read more.. Lynne: Eh, what was that watch shop called off High Street? Sister: Watchcraft you mean? Lynne: Aye, that's it [pauses] Sister: You do know why it's called that, don't you? This is the only reason I remember it. Lynne: Hmm...no? Sister: Duh Lynne, it's a play on words...like witchcraft:? Watchcraft? Lynne: Ahhh!! [looks at sister in astonishment]. Gosh, she never fails to surprise me. I had no clue as to the name of the shop, and that pun went way over my head, yet my little sister who thought Ward Park and Castle Park were the same thing (which they're not) spotted both. Wow. It was actually my sister's suggestion to go see this little watch shop, and I happily complied. She'd been in with my mum before, and informed they had a lovely collection of watches, jewellery and novelty clocks. When we popped in yesterday, there was a little old lady with her zimmer frame and another lady with her buggy, and due to the size of the shop (ie. fairly compact), there wasn't a whole lot of room left for my sister and I. However, we had just enough time to take a quick look round at the various watches (cheap), jewellery (equally as cheap, and coming in all sorts of forms - brooches, necklaces, rings), and those cute novel clocks (they're like little figurines, in the form of golf bags, pianos, boats etc). Catchy name, a lot of good stock, and a watch-fixing service...yep, it's a goodie.

Watchcraft is another of Bangor's hidden treasures. It is an old fashioned jewellers/ clock and…read morewatch repair shop situated in the town centre. If you are looking for something a little bit different I would call into witchcraft and see what they have to offer. They have a mix of unique jewellery, watches and accessories. Watchcraft managed to fix a watch of mine that another of Bangor's jewellers said was unfixable. The difference is at Watchcraft the seem to be trying to save you a few quid rather than trying to get you to purchase a brand new watch. As well as being old fashioned in what they sell they still believe in old fashioned customer service which is a breath of fresh air.

Its quite difficult for a guy to review this place because it seems almost exclusively set up for…read moregirls, particularly teenage girls who want to buy trinkets and the like to add that little bit of supposed magic to an outfit to head out on the tiles and impress boys at the discoteque. (Or whatever teenage girls do, I have no idea. I didn't much understand them when I was a teenager and I understand them even less now). That being said, I have been in here a few times with girlfriends and they all seem to like it and they all say the prices are good for what you get and its a one-stop shop if you want to pick up earrings or belts or scarves or what not. The staff are friendly and polite and are always on hand to help without being too intrusive which I think really adds to any shop. Based in Bloomfield Shopping Centre it is accesible and has good parking available on site.

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.

"Located in the recently expanded Bloomfield Shopping Centre, Hanna & Browne Bangor offers the best…read morein destination shopping. With convenient free car parking, the store, situated on two levels, brings together under one roof all the quality products offered by our other Home & Gift shops and Lisnasure Interiors: Fabric, drapery and design service, carpets, flooring, furniture, beds and linens, hifi, complete range of home appliances. Gaggia coffee makers, Swarovski Crystal, Newbridge Silverware, Bridal Services, giftware, tableware, kitchenware, mirrors and decorative accessories." Above is how it is described on the website but in reality this place is a bit posh and a little but up itself for my tastes but it fits in perfectly into Bangor's kind of middle class feel. There is plenty of free parking and it is easy to get to but its a bit depressing if you have to go here because that means you are buying knick-nacks for your home and that is the sure fire way of knowing your life is over.

Great service and selection. My first stop for baby accessories and toys for all ages. Great…read morerange of retro corgi, dinky, train sets, slot cars all found here.

Fantastic shop. It's changed over the years a fair bit in appearance and function. When I was young…read moremy parents would take me here to get model planes and cars as well as having ornaments for around the home for themselves. The home furnishing and ornamental side is pretty much the same however the toys and models have been gone for some time now, replaced (handy for us) by baby gear. Prams, car seats, cots etc. The range is very impressive indeed, they will have something for everyone, from well priced entry level prams to the Rolls-Royce type top of the line stuff. The pram we were interested in was demonstrate to us by very knowledgeable and friendly staff who made selecting the right stuff a breeze. When we then saw the same one slitghtly cheaper elsewhere they even matched the price. Customer focused shopping experience just the way it should be.

This is one of a chain of surf, skate and mountain gear shops in Northern Ireland and has been an…read moreabsolute fixture in Bangor's Main Street since I was in my teens. You can pick up clothes, as well as all sorts of gear and hardware that you will need for a sporting weekend that extends beyond a game of squash or a kickabout in the park. The staff in here are absolutely brilliant. They have been running the shop for years and really, really know whats what. They're inviting, friendly, enthusiastic and so well informed that they can help you with any questions you may need. There is no need to be intimidated or put off if you are a beginner, as can be the case in these kind of places. Top stuff.

You won't be too shocked to hear that Surf Mountain sells all you could need to go surfing or climb…read moreup a mountain. Now the first I find quite appealing, but why, why, why do people climb mountains? Why not just look at pictures of mountains in a book or go for a gentle stroll around the block? Anyway, if you really need feel the need, Surf Mountain will kit you up for exploring the great outdoors. Boots, coats, camping equipment and proper hiking clothing and gadgets and stuff to keep you safe, and all from reliable brands like North Face and Jack Wolfskin. The husband always insists on browsing round this section, god knows why. Then there's all the surfing stuff which my kids love and which even I like. Swimwear, hoodies, boards, accessories from labels like Billabong, Animal and Silva. Nice trendy stuff which you can wear even if you don't plan on going near a beach or a wave any time soon.

On an extremely wet, miserable and despondent day in Bangor, Innovation gift shop was a glaringly…read morebright beacon of light, shining brilliantly in my direction. The selection, for such a small shop, really is vast. There were a lovely array of cute, well-priced pillows - the kind with proverbs and messages written on them, complete with a beaded hanger for attaching to your wall / door etc. £5.99, if my memory serves me correctly. A lovely collection of bridal accessories, including head bands and tiaras for half price, as well as wedding favours and other relevant bits and bobs were all available for purchase. A wide range of gorgeous ornaments, unusual jewellery collections, incense sticks, candles, baby gifts, to name but a few filled the shop to the brim. I had never seen such unique and special gifts all in the one place. An older lady was also browsing round 'Innovation' when I was in, and her excitement at the overwhelming gifts and brilliant bargains was very evident. She had purchased something a matter of moments before her eyes lit up, having spotted yet another alluring object. "Oh, I'm never going to get out of here!" she laughed. The shop assistant laughed along with her and was most helpful in referring the lady to another shop in Newtownards where she would be able to buy something they did not have. I settled upon a black cherry Yankee candle melt for the decent price of £1.05, and was served by the shop assistant's son, who was still learning the ropes. Both were extremely pleasant, and topic of conversation turned to the horrendous weather before I left, quietly satisfied that I found yet another fantastic gift shop to add to my list of birthday-present-purchasing-places. Innovative indeed.

Like a very similar shop in Holywood, Urban Orchard, this is a bit of a middle class woman's…read moreparadise and doesn't really have much for anyone else other than their target demographic. That i unless someone else is buying a gift for the woman in their life. Like Urban Orchard, this is a lovely place to go into in to shop. There is all sorts of stuff such as pillows, knick nacks, candles and bridal accessories on sale and there seems to be quite a large amount of stock for what is quite a small shop. You can basically pick up anything you would need to furnish a new house or to buy a housewarming or engagement gift for a friend. The prices are pretty standard for this sort of stuff, which is to say that it seems quite expensive. More for girls than for boys, but I guess there is nothing really wrong with that. There is handy parking near by which is always a bonus.

Fantastic service and very well mannered staff. A joy to shop here it brightens up your day.read more

One of what seems like 2 million mobile phone shops in Bloomfield Shopping Centre but certainly one…read moreof the most laid back and welcoming with really excellent service being given any time I have had to go in here with my sister or my friends who have an 02 phone. I have been on Orange for as long as I remember and have called in here a couple of times to price going onto 02 and always found the staff polite, friendly, helpful and non intrusive. I have never went on 02 just because the deals never quite worked out for me but thats not the staffs fault. It is located in Bloomfield Shopping Centre so its easy to get to with plenty of free parking and ATMs available.