This independent store sat right next to the Royal Pavilion is a real gem of a shop that has only…read moremanaged to stay in business because it knows what it's real sports people need. The shop looks small from the outside but as it is set over 2 floors it increases the floor space dramatically. The beauty of this shop is that it offers equipment for sports that you can otherwise struggle to find and they can give you a good insight into what equipment will suit you best. The 2 guys that own it I am almost certain are father and son and everytime I go in there they are both there involved in something. The first time I found out about this shop was when my friend took me to get his shirt printed with his name and number which they do brilliantly and can do all the proper lettering for most sports which really helps to make your shirt feel real. If you need something please go here first as this local shop really deserves, and has earned, our loyalty.

There's a good variety of sporting goods on offer at Swift Sports, and if I were the age where I…read morewanted to be getting football boots, this'd be my location of choice. It looks small from outside, but the store is pleasantly put together, and surprisingly deep so that you'll find there's more variety on offer than you may be expecting. The really special thing about this place is T-shirt printing. If you want your name or whatever putting on a jersey, then this place will do it at a damned descent price, at a good speed (if the machines warmed up) and to a fantastic quality. I came here with a friend when he was preparing his best mate in America's 21st birthday gift and have to say, that even as a novice to this kind of affair, I could appreciate why he dragged me through the rain soaked streets of Brighton to get here.

Really appreciated the friendly service in this shop, and liked their selection…read more When it turned out that we wanted something that they didn't have (it was unseasonal stock), the sales assistant simply wrote down where we could find it. I think that's very kind. We will go back, definitely.

A family run business that really puts their heart into it. Not intimidating in the slightest and…read morethey won't pounce on you either (I hate that, especially in a sport shop)! Customer service is obviously at the fore front and they will go the extra mile. You feel as if you are getting advice from a good friend as opposed to a sales person. They have an array of sport offerings but particularly specialise in cricket, tennis, rugby and fitness. The items and clothing that they stock is of top performance but also looks really good. In particular I have purchased some great running gear that performs well, is comfortable and is well styled. They have a great eye for product. They are an exciting addition to the Hove and Brighton community. I am all for championing good local retailers such as Nick Rivett Sport.

A massive sports superstore selling all the big name brands in sportswear. Spread over two huge…read morefloors, clothes hang on isles from floor to ceiling and there are boxes and racks and piles of other stuff on ground level, meaning it's cramped and messy for shoppers below. It's become common practice for me every time I come here to be stuck behind a jam of people on the trainer isle, literally unable to get out, and it can get a bit claustrophobic. But, presentation and space aside, there really is a massive range and nearly always a sale so you can sort yourself out a whole new gym kit for less than £20. You'll find everything from football tops to slippers, and upstairs has a kids section, as well as a selection of bikes, skateboards, cricket and tennis equipment, footballs and rugby stuff.

I recently decided that I needed to get fitter and healthier, so went on the hunt for some sports…read morestuff. I had a gym trial and wanted to look swish, so I adorned myself with the Nike Swoosh - my preferred medal of sporting honour (who needs an Olympic Medal?!) One of the best places to buy sports gear is the aptly named Sports Direct. It seems to constantly be offer "further reductions", but don't let the cheap exterior put you off. And don't let the masses of sports crap put you off either. And definitely don't be put off by the less-than helpful staff, because these are just formalities. When you are searching for practical items, you have to think practically. Sports Direct is ugly, but has some great finds. I got some pretty sweet Nike Dri-fit shorts for around £10. That's a good price, especially since they are specifically designed for running and have a nice little pocket in the waistband for your iPod. I could've gone to a specialist sports store and bought the same shorts for a much higher price. I would have probably been made to feel more valued as a customer and spent less than 20 minutes trying to find the bloody things, but at the end of the day I made a saving. And as the government keep yammering on at us: money matters!

If you are keen to take home something permanent to remember the 'Albion' by, this is definitely…read morethe place to visit. They are the only place in the city to stock the Brighton replica kit. Of this stock, there are both home and away, ladies, kids etc. They also sell your classic sports 'leisure ware' items, all in Brighton colours. If you don't fancy splashing out £40 on a replica shirt, you can buy cheaper items like mascot teddy bears, calendars or car stickers. Of course you can also come here to get your tickets in advance of the match, normally at the best price available. Plus, like Marc says; the staff can tell exactly where is best to sit (it's all pretty poor in the Withdean though).

This shop on Queen's Road was fantastic. While not offering quite the selection of BHAFC gear as…read moreyou can get at Amex Stadium, it was still rather impressive how much they get into such a small space. The staff were friendly, and the young man at the ticket counter (in the back) was EXTREMELY helpful. Go Seagulls!

The Mole is one of a handful of boutiques around the North Laines that sells both street and…read moresportswear. Their window display draws you in with dozens of pairs of cool sunglasses and wicked headphones. Once you step inside, you'll find there's also a large selection of sneakers, training shoes, sweatshirts, hoodies, tee-shirts and jeans. Labels include Vans, DC, Etnies, Nixon, Von Zipper & Emerica. All you need to complete the look is a skateboard - which you can pick up next door at Oddballs! Review to follow once I've done a few tricks on my BMX. :-)

The Mole annoys me... Not the rodent of course, which is perfectly lovely and surprisingly small…read more.. No, I mean the store. It doesn't matter how much I tell myself that you can create your own "look" on a low budget, and look everybit as well presented as someone forking out four times as much three times as often... Places like this always come along and show off some of the most awesome versions of my clothes... and charge £55 them... £55 feels like the standard... Whether its the ludicrously soft and well fitting hoodies with their gorgeous designs, or the series of gut wrenchingly bad ass trainers....... Gah! There aren't many brands here, with a strong loyalty towards the three or so on offer. In addition to the usual jeans, trainers, jackets shirts and hoodies, The Mole also boasts a strong offering of very sexy accessories. Be they the stylish wallets, trendy shades or somewhat (in my opinion) tacky headphones to match your clothes, The Mole has got colours and styles to impress... Not great value, but offering exceptional quality, The Mole is a place to treat yourself, or to blow that big bonus (not that I've ever had one to wield).

Walking into Kathmandu made me feel both warm and cozy, and ready for adventure. Coming in from the…read moresnow to see fleece, down, wind- and waterproof coats; hats, scarves and mittens; and thick, comfy sleeping bags made me feel immediately warmer. (Plus, of course, the heat was on.) The shop has a few different post-holiday sales going on. Much of the clothing has been marked down - thermals are on at 2 for £24, for example, and some of the footwear has been reduced by 30%. The most interesting items to look through - and those making me crave an adventure - were the travel accessories, at a 3 for 2 mix and match offer. Kathmandu has pretty much anything you could need for an outdoor or international adventure: pocket knives, tent pegs, first aid kits, thermoses and water bottle, sleeping mats (some inflatable), rucksacks of varying sizes, microfiber towels and tonnes of Lonely Planet books. They also offer some luxury items, like travel speakers, for instance. This is definitely a good place to start if you're in the market for travel gear - it'll probably carry everything you need.

As a keen Tennis player, Intersport is a must for me. In the Brighton area there are very few…read morequality sports retailers, with 'Swift Sports' probably being the only one. Therefore I have to travel to Intersport in search of good quality tennis balls and rackets. I picked up a new Head Radical that had only been out for about 4 weeks, so I was impressed it was already in stock. I also had a restringing performed, choosing from about 5 different settings (more than many). If you a tennis player, or any sports player, Intersport will almost certainly stock what you need.

I wandered into Intersport while I was waiting for my food to be ready from the Olive Branch over…read morethe road, and was very impressed by the stock. It's quite a large shop, and so has the floor space to stock equipment for a wide range of different sports, and not only that but to stock a wide range of equipment for each sport - there is an entire wall devoted to cricket bats for example. They even have a bike shop at the back. Alongside equipment such as racquets, balls, bats, and so on, they also stock sportswear and trainers, and a few kids items like toboggans and mini-scooters. The staff were very friendly, and it seem like if they didn't have anything in stock they would be happy to order it in for you. I'm not a sporty person, but this shop is a great resource for local sports enthusiasts of different stripes.

One of the most important things I learnt from my mum is the importance of a good fitting bra,…read moreespecially if you're bigger than a C! It's all very well buying yourself a pretty bra and knicker set every few months from Zara or H&M but they almost certainly won't last and don't fit properly, which makes your clothes fit badly and essential could give you back problems. I came to Bravissimo with my sister, on the advice of a friend to get a proper fitting and invest in some 'proper' bras (call before and you'll be sure to have somebody help you). This shop is for people size D and above, not people who need egg warmers like me, just so you know. The girl who measured her was really down to earth and made her feel very comfortable, She told her where she was going wrong, i.e. wearing bras too big, and suggested some brands that would do her justice. She bought 3 bras for under £100 but worth every penny, her whole shape and posture has improved.

Selling lingerie, swimwear and specially fitted clothing for big boobed women, Bravissimo is like a…read moresecret club, hidden away from the prying eyes of North Street passersby. The shop front is comprised of a door and then stairs to the unknown, a world only open to ladies gifted with a Dcup or more. Upstairs you'll find a wide selection of bras and support clothing, all quite expensive but very good quality and there's no frump involved. They do cup sizes right up to K and offer free non-obligatory fittings which you can either walk in to or pre-book. The staff are very responsive to customers wandering up from the downstairs entrance and trot over to assist, and are particularly helpful if you're not sure what you're looking for.

Oh. My. Lord. I…read morepopped into Size? this afternoon to look for a new pair of Converse and ended up falling in love with the most bling pair of silver Adidas hi-tops. I'm not talking matt or gloss silver either, I'm talking thousands of silver sequins painstakingly stitched into two sneaker-size glitterballs. I would have bought them too, only my rap skills are zero. Maybe I'll twitter Jay-Z and Kanye and see if either of them want a pair. Seriously, these sneakers belong on stage. :-)

I used to be a fan of Size? back in the day - now, not so much…read more They don't seem to offer anything DIFFERENT - and I am something of a sneaker connoisseur, I like my feet to stand out from the crowd. Actually, maybe I am being a little harsh, it's just the BRIGHTON branch of Size? That doesn't seem to have a lot going for it any more. I haven't bought a pair of trainers from there in years, the last time I did spot a pair that I wanted to buy, they didn't have my size. The Size? On Carnaby Street in London is pretty cool. I will make sure I review it next time I'm there.

Snow and Rock is the place to go if you're heading to the mountains. They supply everything you…read morecould need in preparation for a ski trip. Snowboards, skis, boots and all the necessary equipment - wax, poles, goggles, padding, sunscreen - are displayed around the shop. Accessories that might be of interest to the non-boarders: sunglasses, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens and smaller sized rucksacks.

When I was younger, I was an avid skier: what you get from growing up in the mountains. Now-a-days,…read morethe whole kaboodle is just too pricey, but I still enjoy popping into shops like Snow and Rock and checking out the wares! As ski shops go, this one has anything you could possibly need, and a friendly word of advice for the newcomer. While this doesn't change the fact that they are selling expensive items for expensive hobbies, it is nice to know how readily available such items are, should the bug hit me too hard once more! In terms of their selection, Snow and Rock seem to have found the perfect middle ground: they offer more ski equipment than would probably be necessary for the casual enthusiast, but don't leave the hardcore fan wanting either. How they trade I'm not sure; we Brits aren't best known for our love of the pistes, but I'm sure they fill a ski sized hole in the otherwise excellent Brighton shopping scene, somehow or another. It is hard to criticise Snow and Rock's selection: they have everything I could possibly want if I went skiing again, and are as well stocked as any of the shops on the continent I've been in. If anything, I'd criticise the amount of snowboarding stuff, but that's just because I think snowboarders are incredibly annoying (they mess up the good ski-slopes... it's a long-standing rivalry!) Joking aside, it's a well-stocked shop, and offers all skiing sundries you might require as well as the beasts themselves: rucksacks, scarfs, hats, etc. I'm still not 100% sure why and how they operate in Brighton of all places, but do think they're a great little place. If you're heading for the slopes, pop in to make sure you have everything: I don't know about you, but I always used to find I'd forget SOMETHING on one of those ski holidays...