There are not many Eason's stores around these days but this one seems to be thriving, set in a…read morecentral location they've given the interior a real facelift - it's bright and vibrant and seems to be doing the trick when it comes to drawing the Belfast punters in. Eason's are specialist's in stationery and magazines, especially niche ones. I popped in here last week to grab a birthday card and to be honest I was a little disappointed with their selection but I suppose there's dedicated card shops for that sort of thing. One thing I noticed is that Eason's seems to have moved with the times, selling electronic goods and essential office supplies such as printer cartridges. On the lower floor there's a huge book selection that would rival Waterstones. Belfast actually doesn't have that many big book shops so if you still haven't succumb to a Kindle this will be your idea of heaven. This Eason is really well staffed so if you're looking for something in particular I would just ask one of the many attentive assistants (who are also pretty quick on the checkouts). All in all it's nice to see a familiar name in the city centre, I'm sure at some point the majority of Northern Ireland picked up their school stationery and chose that all important pencil case from an Eason's branch.

Easons claims to be a bookstore, but it is not a bookstore in the traditional sense of the word. It…read moreis a corporate store than sells art supplies, stationary, newspapers, chocolate, fizzy drinks etc. I am a fan of old rickety bookshops which you have to bump into people to get past. This is not one of them. Though they do have cheaper priced books than old bookshops, they can still be gotten on the internet so again if all you need is a book, try the internet. If you want the experience, go to an oldfashioned book shop. Not a fan

McMillan's is an old-fashioned newsagents, the kind of which are swiftly being killed off by…read morehorrible, all-consuming megacorporations. Tescos and Asda, pah. Apparently Google's motto is 'Do No Evil' - I wonder what Asda's is? Insert 'One day, the world will be MINE' gag here. Why do we, upon discovering that we have no bread, or fancy a rattle at the crossword, just pootle off to the nearest supermarket without a second's thought? McMillan's is a charming wee shop, the kind I once would have taken for granted. It's possibly the only place I'll buy a pre-made sandwich from - high praise indeed! I've bought a quarter pound of lemon bonbons here - I might be showing my age, but - balls to you, metric system! It's choc-a-bloc full of all the little things you might need on a daily basis, but chances are, it just wouldn't occur to you to pop in. Stop buying your paper in Tescos and go to McMillan's!

Despite sounding like it could (and should) be me, Local Shopper is actually a free publication…read morethat provides a 'platform' (their words, not mine) for local businesses to advertise and offer deals to prospective clientele. Good idea, eh? Delivered by the Royal Mail once monthly to 207,000 homes and businesses in the Belfast, Bangor, Newtownabbey and Lisburn areas, there are different versions of the Local Shopper for each particular neighbourhood. For example, the one I receive is delivered to 13,500 homes in the Braniel, Tullycarnet, Gilnahirk and Dundonald areas, and is tweaked to suit our area, with adverts from the likes of Papa Johns in Dundonald, Envy tanning and beauty in Ballybeen and Gilnahirk Tyres and Exhausts. Not only do each of these businesses get a decent sized ad in this eight page magazine, but many of these ads double up as coupons / money-off vouchers for that particular company. Fun Works in Glengormley (one of very few businesses which isn't that nearby) are offering 20% off when you produce their ad, whilst the Green Energy Store in Bangor are promoting their business with £200 off selected energy store systems. Local Shopper is a great idea for local businesses, but also for the prospective customers. Good work!

The Local Shopper is a little advertisement free sheet which is popped in the door of of over…read more200,00 Belfast homes every month. It is quite informative and is tailored to suit your area. The businesses are actually quite useful, they'll let you know about skips for hire in your area, great deals on electrical goods and some great deals and vouchers for pizzas. As far as most advertisement free sheets go, this is a quality one worth reading instead of chucking in the bin.

I have never left Stewart Millers empty handed. I'm not kiddin', honestly. It's like some kind of…read moremagnetic force which leaves me completely helpless and powerless, removing all inhibitions and barriers which prevent me from purchasing extreme numbers of goods from this fave store of mine. Or maybe that's just me shopping normally... Anyhow, Stewart Miller is a bargainous store which is primarily a newsagent and confectioners, but is also a bookshop, cardshop and toyshop. I've found books for peanuts, excellent sweetie deals, and, when I was younger, it was my first stop for TY Beanie Babies (remember those?! I still have an absolute ton of them stashed away in my wardrobe...couldn't bear [excuse the pun] to part with them quite yet). The Holywood store is undoubtedly my favourite. The toy section is huge, and they are genuinely well-priced (not always super cheap), top-quality playthings. The card section is extremely well-stocked, with a huge variety to choose from, and at reasonable prices. The book section is my favourite - I've gotten presents for my mum and dad for next to nothing, and even picked up a football book for £1.99 from £12.99 today, and I've found travel books for a fiver. Oooh, its a good 'un.

I'm lovin it. This gem on the Holywood main street has some of my favourite everyday treats -…read moreglossy mags, cold drinks and chick lit style books at very good prices. It also keeps the kids very happy as it has the best selection of football trading cards I've ever come across. My favourite thing about Stewart Millar is the magazine and comic selection. One whole wall of the front section is given over to mags and comics which means that I can happily browse Marie Claire and 25 Beautiful Homes and the kids can look at the Beano (yes it still exists) and Shoot! before making our choices. And there are none of those shouty 'This is not a library' signs either. At the back of the shop are the toys - good selection of lego- and books. The books are worth a particular mention as the prices are great. Some of the not quite latest releases can be snaffled at Tesco-esque prices which certainly floats my boat. There's a good selection of kids books too, especially quite unusual activity and pop up books which are always good for Christmas presents. All I need to do now is stop accidentally calling it Stuart Little which makes the kids fall about laughing every time as Stuart Little is of course a talking mouse. It's happened, I've become an Embarrassing Mum.

If you're in a rush, heading to get your train and then realise....damn I need a newspaper, soft…read moredrink, sweets or other snacky things then this is your place. I've been using Great Victoria Street station for many a day and I always need to stop by this little newsagent for a coke and the paper. Rail News not only has a clever pun but a solid range of magazines and local/national newspapers. I used to call in and buy a can of proper man coke and Kerrang magazine back in my younger days (I wouldn't read it now if I was paid). These days it's the Time, The Irish News and a bottle of diet coke (See, see how I've grown up) Prices are typical of shops in the area, they are quick and have what you need. They also stock a range of sandwiches if you're in need of a bite and nowhere else is open.

The Newtownabbey Times is a local newspaper which has been circulated around the area for over 100…read moreyears. It is published by Johnston Press plc. (One of the top 3 largest local newspaper publishers in the UK) It's sister papers include the Carrickfergus and Larne Times, each with their own offices in the respective areas. Together they have been reporting news stories around the East Antrim area since the 1860s. Focusing mainly on local news, it is a valuable source of community information and news updates. It is currently published every Thursday and coverage includes news, sports, health and education amongst a number of contemporary news stories or reviews. For more information or to contact the newspaper, email susan.gillen@jpress.co.uk or send your letters to Newtownabbey Times, 14 Portland Avenue, Glengormley, Newtownabbey, BT36 5EY. Telephone: 028 9084 3621

Newtownabbey Times includes stories from all across the area - from Ballyduff to Ballyclare, from…read moreCarnmoney to Templepatrick, and from Glengormley to Jordanstown. It's comprehensive coverage mean that it's a) quite an in-depth paper (certainly not on par with The Sun etc), and b) it takes quite a while to read (not such a good idea when on a hot, stuffy bus from Ballyclare to Belfast, with ten screaming teenagers arguing over whether it's a bikelist or a cyclist...). I did, however, come across a few interesting nuggets of information. For example, who knew that there even was a Women's Rugby World Cup, let alone the fact that one of Ireland's players comes from Whiteabbey? Or indeed that there is a singing group known as the Belfast Phoenix Choir? My life has been greatly enhanced thanks to these wonderful pieces of completely useful information. As well as the news section, the Newtownabbey Times has a rather amusing birthday component (one particular vengeful twin used this to her advantage), as well as a jobs section (Primark are looking Christmas staff already?!), business news, a sports section, property news, a careers / training / education insert, and a lengthy motorcar segment. All in all, not a bad paper.

Is there one of these awesome stores in every little town in Co. Down? There blooming well should…read morebe! How I wish I were a child again (I notice I'm saying that a lot these days) What a magical feeling it must be to climb the stairs of Stewart Miller's and know that you are basically going into Santa's grotto - have you ever seen so many toys shoved and stacked into one top floor - I haven't I can tell ye! Not only is it toy heaven upstairs but downstairs is like a child's dream - sweets, chocolate, crisps and wrapping paper - well, they ahve to stock something for adults! Seriously though, if you need a newspaper, your lotto, a card, a fine nibbed marker in florescent green, a book on horses or a tub of Roses then this is the place for you. Make sure you spend over a fiver if you want to use your debit card though as they won't take it unless you do. Stewart Miller I salute you.

One of my favourite shops in newtownards, all the childhood memories of getting a new subbuteo team…read moreor some sweets and the latest beano mag, then the dreaded stationary shop at the end of the summer holidays to the present day browsing books and looking at toys for my son and gifts for others. Its remained unchanged and that's because Stewart millers works so well and has got something to offer everyone. Christmas time is great in Stewart millers too and its one of the best shops in ards.

Every single Friday after school. Without fail. For more years that I care to remember. My mum,…read moresister and I. "Did what?", I hear you cry. Visited The Wingrove of course. I mean, what else? It was almost a family tradition, deep rooted in the hearts and minds of my younger sibling and I. We automatically knew Friday meant sweetie day at The Wingrove. Ahh, good times. The Wingrove was one of those newsagents where everyone knew each other, and we were served by the same old wee woman every week. The old-fashioned layout of the confectionery was situated in tiers at the counter, and even though we went for nearly the same packet of sweets every week, many minutes were spent gazing in awe at the sheer variety of these candied goods, packed full of dear only knows what. (I can tell you, not much has changed...I'm probably even more indecisive now. Or maybe not). I honestly have no idea how my mum put up with two sugar saturated young girls, who were practically bouncing off the ceiling. Those 'E' numbers have a lot to answer for. On occasion, ice lollies were permitted, and maybe even a magazine if we were lucky. The Wingrove also supplied a small number of greetings cards (that kept my mum happy), and a few toys (I can't remember how many times we had to prise my sister away from the dolls). Oh, those were the days... The Wingrove has recently undergone a facelift, with a brand spanking new sleek black and white sign, as well as a furniture rearrangement (well, you know what I mean), which was incredibly strange to see when I popped in for the first time in I don't know how many years. I'm so chuffed to see The Wingrove still going strong, feeding and amusing lots of happy school children. Thank goodness for the lack of 'E' numbers these days mind you, that's all I can say...

There's nothing I can add to the previous review except that I cant believe it's closed down…read moretoday,I'm not sure why but I hope it reopens soon, it'll be missed in ballyhackamore.

Moore's reminds me of my childhood, any time I even step foot in the shop it brings memories…read morerushing back of being a teeny tiny child, smaller than the shop counter (seems crazy these days) fluttering my eyelashes and asking my daddy oh so innocently and sweetly for some pocket money so I could buy a quarter of the delightful sweeties they sold. Then I'd proceed to stand around for ages trying to decide what to pick, as they had honestly, what seemed like thousands of options to choose from. (Ah the exaggerations of child hood, I haven't quite grown out of that!) In the end I always choose either a quarter of strawberry bon bons or oh the deliciously delightful Jameson's Raspberry Ruffles in the end. I don't know why he put up with it. Maybe it's his sweet tooth. So to this day I still love pushing open the door and hearing the ding of the shop bell, my dad still goes to the counter, does the Lottery, buys his cigs and scratchcards and I still buy a quarter of those heavenly sweets. I don't get pocket money any more though. More's the pity! Great corner shop selling a wide range of magazines, cards for all occasions, toys galore and the sweeties, oh the sweeties! It's somewhat similar to sugar heaven!