This is an average sized branch of The Works complete with more or less everything you'd expect…read morefrom the discount book store. There's a good section for kids, not only books but fun activity boxes and games. The art supplies section is also pretty good and is somewhere that I do think The Works does tend to shine, as a company. There wasn't much to tempt me in terms of fiction, although if you're a big fan of romance or crime novels there's probably something here for you. The sections about gardening and cookery are a little more extensive. Really, though, I suspect the best way to shop her is to go in with an open mind rather than looking for a specific book.

As I run a business providing arts workshops I spend a lot of time in here, seeking out the newest…read moredeals and stocking up on things like sequins and glue. Part book shop, part toy shop and part craft supplies store, the Works is cheaper than many of its rivals but rather haphazardly stocked, so there's no guarantee of an item that was there last week being there again. Because of this, however, there's always something new to look at, and you can never predict what you might find. Some of the books are great value for money too, with mind and body items like tarot card sets and hot stone massage kits being popular, so its a good place to come for presents, and the art supplies section is particularly good for beginners. Prices are bargain basement, so if you fancy trying your hand at watercolour or oil painting this is the place to start.

One of my favourite chain shops, although I think they are run on a franchise basis, purely because…read moreit stands to reduce one of the massive wastages of our time. Ink cartridges. Here you can get a whole range on ink cartridges re-filled and therefore reduce the amount of nasties sent to landfill. Another tick in the eco box, excellent.

Cartridge world has saved me on many occasions when I've forgotten to pre-order my ink from the…read morewebsite I use. The best part is that the inks tend to be cheaper here which is great if like me, you constantly use your printer. I found the staff to be polite, helpful and friendly.

Although being situated in the middle of the void of shops that is Rawdon, this groovy little…read morestationers is well equipped of your standard stationary needs and offers some really useful copying services too. All the usual items on sale here, from pens, paper, card, sharpeners, notepads - you name it and I'm certain you'd find it. As for the other services, they can offer black and white or colour copying, printing, binding, laminating, fax services and scanning. Pretty much all of those kind of services that you could possibly need in a pinch. Reasonably priced and cheerfully staffed - also easy to find! Their website may be a tad outdated, but the shop itself is pretty useful. Job done.

Although this shop is, first and foremost, a place to copy and print, I did neither of these things…read more- instead I went in here on a stationery run, and I wasn't disappointed with what was on offer. Multi-packs or single units are available so I guess it's perfect if you're the office's errand boy or whether you're just getting a pen or two for yourself. Of course, they do the expected selection of paper, card and other boring stationery items, and it's all fairly well priced. But, looking at the prices for the printing and copying, I would suggest perhaps going to a larger establishment for photo-printing (such as the photo sections in some supermarkets) where you will get much more value for money.

Lidgett hill stationers is situated within a small row of shops just approaching the main shopping…read morearea of Pudsey. Being only a small town I am sure that many make use of this handy stationers. It's always nicer to go indie than big chain, and there is a Cartridge World about 10 minutes or so away, but I would choose Lidgett Hill every time. Why? The extra mile an indie store will always go to for their customers, there's always the personal touch! It's got all the usual things that you would hope for in a stationers, hoards of pens and such, papers of all varieties, folders and office supplies - no stone unturned they've pretty much covered everything. However, as you'll notice by their notices, they do offer more than the things you might expect as well! Given our recent bout of snow, which did seem relentless, they have compiled a special collection of 'snow day activities' for the children stuck at home during the impossible snow days! I realise that it's a bit of cheeky marketing, but it was pretty cute and innovative! Essentially, these kits were made up of colouring books, crayons, puzzles and so on. Still, better than the idiot box, right? All in all, it's a ok with me!

Having visited many craft shops, I have to say, I wasn't sure what to make of Lidget Hill…read moreStationers. I think I've mentioned before what a fan on stationary I am. This place was a bit of a mixed bag. There are 2 aisles to the shop, (the divider dedicated to dated greetings cards), On the left, there is everything you'd expect from a stationers: pens, pencils, pads of paper, folders and display folders, pencil cases selotape etc. On the right of the counter , tucked in the corner is acryllics, sketch pads and paintbrushes. I have to be honest, and say that I thought their arts materials were pretty overpriced. The quality of the paint was a mid-range brand, but I felt they were asking for much more than it is worth, and indeed is priced in competing city centre shops and also student unions. They do have an interesting supply of goods though. They sell many different childrens colouring books, party bags, stamps, stickers of all sorts, and card making kits, but I did get a niggling feeling that perhaps the local community was not making the most of its stationers, but instead, opting for cheaper well-known establishments.

I was heading from Los Angeles to Harrogate, England for a business trip this past week and used…read morethe internet in advance to look for nearby stores that carried papercrafting supplies (mostly for card making). I was delighted to find this store, just a half hour south in Leeds. The store was spacious and bright. There were an extraordinary assortment of metal dies from multiple companies. And plenty of rubber stamps, both wood mounted and clear, to choose from. The scrapbook paper selection was on the small side, but had beautiful choices. There were also ample paper pads. I appreciated the card sample table at the very front of the store, offering inspiration. My only wish was that the store stayed open later on weekdays. It was hard to get there with enough time to leisurely shop, and I had to leave work early. As it was, I had just a half hour to speed shop!

Really good art supplies shop. It's located across the road from both the college and university,…read moreso perfect for course materials. The prices can be quite high, but they are average for art materials, as they are generally expensive anyway. One really good point is they offer student discount if you attend college, you just need to show your college card when you make a purchase. Staff are friendly and helpful if you have any questions.

Happy friendly staff and full of the things you need. Even have some good offers on like 241 and…read moremoney off things. Buy all my things from them in various locations

This is a good little shop, packed with everything you need regarding stationary, from pens and…read morepaper to planners and white/black boards. All for reasonable prices too. If you're a student, by showing your student ID you can get 10% off!

Paperchase is a large chain of stationary stores, with over 130 stores in the UK alone, but sadly…read moreother than their 3 flagship stores in Manchester, Glasgow and London, the others lack the excitement, good feel and funding and sadly this store is an example of that. Having visited Paperchase three times now, including one of three flagship stores in Manchester I feel this branch stocks the essentials you would associate with Paperchase, but still it is of course a smaller selection. There store was a little small compared to what I would have liked, but still an average / decent size, but when compared to the Manchester branch for example, it is dwarfed by that. There was a small and decent range of most items, I mainly came in to pick up a lever arch file as I find Paperchase's lever arches are better quality, I \was pleased to see them all in one place with some of the basics stocked, but still they did miss out some of the files I was looking for, which are sold in other branches and online. The staff seemed a little slow and not really friendly, they did eventually check the price of an item from me, which was not discounted despite being on the reduced shelf, which still only was a 30% saving, which didn't seem to be worth paying, as the item was heavily overpriced as it is. The store does seem a little darker in terms of decor than other stores, despite having a glass enterence, in a way this store is easy enough to forget due to its' size and location in Leeds city centre, and only deserves a generous two stars I'm sorry to report.

The slow demise of Borders on Briggate was a deplorable occurrence for me. On the last day of its…read moreexistence when the stock was exceptionally reduced, people crowded into the shop and behaved like looters, or flies feeding on a dead animal. I concede, that may be slightly too dramatic, but nonetheless I was saddened by its disappearance. As well as losing a fantastic book shop with an impressive selection of magazines, the departure of the in store Paperchase was inevitable. I sense a slight degree of a moral dilemma when it comes to Paperchase. Although I am aware that I should be channelling my entire cards and stationary budget into independent shops, I have an obsession with the Paperchase brand. I do support the smaller businesses in countless other ways however, helping the local economy much to the dismay of my bank! Everything about the shop is stylish. For somebody who has a similar passion for gift wrap as myself, it is a veritable haven. During more financially unstable periods, I have been known to lavish more money on the presentation of the birthday present, than its actual contents! The different ranges of cards that are designed by Paperchase never have any excruciatingly cringe worthy poems in them, they are never sweet to the extent of prematurely inducing diabetes, and do not have generic phrasing on them. Instead, I consider them to be original, vividly colourful and are always well received. The wrapping paper and stationary are also of a fantastic quality. There are various miscellaneous items for sale at Paperchase. I have often solved the riddle of what to buy a difficult relative by presenting them with a funky teapot or retro cake stand. If I am buying a gift for a friend or loved one, I feel proud to present them with a beautifully wrapped creation, courtesy of Paperchase.