The Yorkshire Trading Company is a really handy place to visit. Having been installed where, I…read morebelieve, the old Woolworths used to be in Otley you could imagine some old school woollies fans might have been somewhat miffed. Nevertheless it only takes one little peek inside to realise how much more useful (sorry woollies) this store is. Being as they've cropped up all about Yorkshire, thankfully, you don't need to be in Otley to appreciate them but the one here is pretty good. To describe exactly what they sell is a bit like trying to describe all the shades of blue. It would take eons. I'll give it a go. They sell just about everything and anything - like an up market version of Wilkinsons. They have DIY bits, gardening items, clothes, household bits and so much more. The most delectable bit is that they sell all at pretty bargainous prices too - so truly a handy shop to have around. I can't think of an occasion where I would think to myself "I need to go to The Yorkshire Trading Company," but when I've been at a loose end in Otley it has been a pretty good place to start. Not bad!

Well well, I concur with Rowena on this place although I can list everything they sell and if…read moreanyone wants that list then email me at getalifeandgolookyourself.not lol I only discovered this company a year ago whilst wandering aimlessly (again) around Otley wondering why we go there full of excitement at our "day out" only to realise it's just another town.... Since my discovery I have visited the shop in Otley and Skipton and even Skegness and always end up buying something as there is always something you need. What other shop can you make purchase's that will allow you to build a fence, paint it then chop it up to put in your new BBQ all whilst wearing a fetching hat, then have a bath, dye your hair whilst eating chocolates, reading a book and playing with etch-a-sketch and a dolls house........ They really do sell that many different things it's mind blowing....... Car stuff for instance, from air horns to polish, birthday cards......... I could go on but I have to do something else with my life so go and have a look next time you're at a loose end in Otley or anywhere you see the sign :)

Oh my god. It's like a Marvel comic hero name, isn't it? Captain Value - he soars oe'er the lands…read morein search of bargain goods, saving the poor customers of Otley from the barons of the high street and their devious costly ways! But seriously, this shop is awesome. It's fun, it's full of tat and I truly enjoyed running riot in here with glee at all the bizarre things it beheld. It has a number of useful things inside, such as storage boxes, stationary, DIY materials, kitchen items and more. It also has a number of totally random items that you can giggle at - thermal vests with a most amusing image of a man on the front, random 80s style cross word puzzle books with those hilarious posing ladies on the front and my personal favourite - 'Santa Plops', some rather weird themed chocolate treats. They made me laugh for ages. So for fun and function, visit the land of Captain Value. You can even get some Otley fudge!

Places like this constantly serve to save me pennies so I can be extravagant elsewhere. I am very…read morehappy waltzing around trying to find something that will amaze me with its cheapness compared to regular high street shops. Aisles and aisles filled with random, useful items and some utter tacky rubbish. Magazines, books (very small selection), clothes (pretty hideous), towels, stationary, Tupperware (imagine a world without it), other kitchen items, wrapping paper and cheap biscuits and sweets.

Now the name here really sets this place up for a fall; if you ask me, it wasn't the brightest idea…read moreto use a very distinct adjective for a shop name, lest every item within be judged by that defined standard. As it happens, Posh has a few posh bits and a few not-so-posh bits inside. Forget the name for a moment and you can judge the clothing on its own merit. There were some really very delightful knits inside, mostly fitted lengthy cardigans, which were really very stylish. The wool was very soft and the fit of them was really quite nice. They also had one or two really unique jackets, the sort that in a vintage shop you might immediately flock to as it looks a little bit different. I was really quite interested in looking at those bits - the price was also good news, as the items were reasonably cheap. Happy days. However, not all the things inside were so great, there were lots of filler garments that whilst they balanced out the display of the nicer pieces, really stood out as being that little bit bland by comparison. I suppose my overall verdict was that there were definitely a few nice things inside, but knowing that there were hoards of charity and one-off style shops within spitting distance, I saved my pennies for them. The lady, although sharing a bit of an awkward 'I'm-the-only-customer-in-here' moment with me, was really quite lovely and smiley too. So all in all, nice but not the nicest.

I think I would have called it something different if I was being honest, the fabrics of the…read moreclothing in here is anything but posh, they designs are geared towards fashion conscious middle-aged women; crinkly frocks and flowing cardies and massively over-jewelled hand-bags. There's a morbid curiosity bubbling up inside me where-by I want to touch the clothes but know doing so will cause a unpleasant sensation inside me. Anyhow, if you know people after flowing garments that are slightly over-priced this could be for you.

As gift shops go I was under the impression that the idea was to fill them with enticing and…read moreinteresting items, but this is not how The Gift Gallery appear to be doing things. To begin with the shop, which is really rather small, is rather empty. Perhaps they were due a restock, but I almost didn't bother going inside as I could barely see anything, except that I was duty bound to finding a gift for a friend! For the most part what they did sell were what seemed like hand made candles of varying sizes and colours, quirky greetings cards that were hand made in store, woolen type items and some jewellery (minimal) and a small collection of smellies. Nothing took my fancy, and I was literally in and out. It was a bit embarrassing too, since the poor shop girl (who didn't really seem interested) had to watch me go in, look around, and leave in the space of 180 seconds. Still, I said thanks at least.

From the owner: We are Yorkshires largest supplier of Yankee Candle, stocking every fragrance in the UK range &…read morealso Limited Editions as well as accessories. We run a loyalty scheme on the purchasing of Yankee candle & also hold loyalty events. Every month we have selected fragrances at 25% discount,making it ideal for a gift or for stocking up on your favourite fragrance!. We also have a large range of giftware to suit all tastes & pockets.

This lovely jewellery shop takes pride of place in New Inn Court alongside The Pink Teapot and…read moreWedding Belles of Otley. It has a rather large and contemporary showcase, all of which gives off a rather debonair vibe. Perhaps it is the location that helps to highlight the quality. Sporting designer jewellery from such names as, Anna De Ville, which offered up some very delicate silver birds for £50, it is no surprise that Aura is where it is. There are some rather high end pieces, as mentioned, but also some own brand jewellery, I believe their workshop is in fact to the left as you enter, ranging from £10 - £15, so prices are ranged to suit all customers! Although there is really no fault to be found here, and there really are some contemporary gems to behold, the jewellery is sadly just not to my taste. That doesn't mean I don't know a good jewellers when I see one though. It is a grand place and that much is true!

This is rather sparkly and shiny affair is The Wharf. It must be pretty difficult to stand out in…read moresuch buzzing little market towns, with gift and knick knack stores all over the place. However, The Wharf manages just fine to fit into a more boutique style gift store, which means it offers something a little different to the other shops. It has a range of really cool handbags, which aren't particularly to my interest, some pretty cool gift cards and really classy looking silver jewellery. As well as that there were a few really nice looking vases, but unfortunately, nothing really quite 'me' enough to open my purse. Still, if it sounds like your kind of thing then perhaps it would be worth the visit!

Mainly spangly, shiny silver jewellery this open plan shop was bustling with activity when I went…read moreand luckily for a small shop had plenty of staff on site to help with customer enquires and serving people at the till so there wasn't a backlog of customers clogging up precious space. There are interesting handbags, and a small selection of boutique cards. Nothing particularly inspired me in here I am more of a fan of chunky 'ethnic' style jewellery and since I passed up the opportunity of bulk buying in India I try not to look too closely at what is available here because I simply have to kick myself.

This wonderful jewellers is situated right in the heart of Otley's shopping district. This…read morejewellers has lots to offer, as you'll notice from their windows, and has a range of items that would suit most customers. At the time of browsing they had an excellent offer of half price on some of their antique rings - which are my favourite to browse - and I was truly spoiled for choice. They had all manner of precious gems within a variety of jewellery items, including topaz, amethyst, garnets and more! They also had some more specialist items, such as charms for charm bracelets - cute little zebras, keys, planes and little birds. They, as do all jewellery shops now, purchase your gold for cash and they also offer a great repair service on your jewellery and watch items. They fit batteries while you wait too, which is great as my watches seem cursed to die all too often! A lovely little jewellers in one of the best towns to shop, Otley.

My partner purchased a T-shirt off this company via Facebook on the 11th March, one of his many…read moreorders from the company. He then queried whether it had been posted (wasn't an issue either way, just wanted an update) and the owner said he'd refund it on the 13th March. Following his message saying he'd refund him he sent him a threatening voice note saying that my partner is not right in the head and that if he carries on asking him stuff he will block him and he won't receive anything. He had not received a refund, yet on the 20th March the company sent a picture of the parcel with the postage sticker - making out it had been sent rather than him receiving the refund. So on the 31st March he sent a message asking for the tracking details as he has still not received anything and the director of the company sent a threatening voice note saying he's getting on his nerves and he'll post when he has chance and that's he's unbelievable and painful.. Baring in mind he was due to have a refund. So I messaged him myself saying it is not difficult to refund and he blocked my partner. So we have no T-shirt and no refund. Absolute scum.

M&Co. is the perfect middle class addition to Otley's indie filled high streets. Of the few bigger…read morebrand stores it is certainly fitting that it be M&Co. since the clientele of Otley better suit this kind of store than, say, a huge Primark and the like. It is fairly down the line with pricing, not being overtly cheap but certainly more of a bargain than many other stores, and so it's always nice to nip in and see what new lines are on offer. Given that M&Co. covers the range of fashion that any department store would offer - womenswear, menswear, kids, lingerie, home linens and accessories, the whole kaboodle - it's a bonus really that the prices are pretty reasonable. That they concentrate almost entirely on clothes without topping up on luggage, toys and the rest also means that you can go in with purpose and not get distracted by all the extras - thus sticking to task. And you know how retail likes you to sway from the task. If we only purchased what we went out for the nation's pockets would be much healthier, that's for certain! The fashion can be hit and miss, but overall it's a pleasant shop.

I was absolutely in love with this place when I went in. You would be forgiven for not realising it…read moreexisted, as it is tucked away beyond a little alley in Otley and has only a small board advertising its existence, but I imagine if you are local to the town you'll know about it by reputation before you visit the location. I realised it was there by noticing the awesome hand carved dragon in the alley, which helped to advertise that it was there. Inside it is more of an amazing workshop/display warehouse that anything else, and for my furniture shopping I don't think I'd have it any other way. If you can visit an earthly, had crafted workshop over some stuffy, pretentious showroom I think I know which I'd prefer. You can see before you where each item has come from and you can, if nothing else, smell where it's come from - the air is full of that beautiful woody scent. The space is filled with exquisite coat and hat stands, dining tables, chairs, bureaus, corner units, desks, chests - you name it. Every piece was breathtaking and wonderfully made. Given the quality of the items on show I considered the prices extremely reasonable, they had a sale on at the time also, but for a complete dining table for up to roughly six (that was my estimate) it was only £500. You could pay a lot more than that for a lot worse, I know that much! Truly, for any home furniture of the highest quality and great prices, Pinecraft of Otley has got to be the one!

A real handicraft shop. There is nothing ornate or elaborate in here. Real craftsmanship is evident…read moreion the fine cabinets, dressers, draws and tables on display ion the showroom. Annexed to the showroom is a workshop and the waft of freshly cut pine drifts from the double doors. There is a van for deliveries and oak furniture is also available.