I only tend to go in here if there is a specific occasion I am attending where I need something…read moredifferent. Mostly the shoes and accessories in this little shop are overtly glam and a bit eccentric , and yes probably aimed at ladies 'of a certain age'. Think - 80s glamour in the vein of Dynasty and Dallas and you will have a bit of an idea. That said if you need a certain colour of shoe to go with a special outfit they will normally either have it or will try and get it. The staff are extremely helpful and accomodating. It's quite expensive here , but they do have good sales and the shop is very small so difficult to browse. The redeeming feature of this establishment for me is the knitwear they stock, its very often I will pop in or walk past and find something really unique. Ok you will pay a bit more but the quality is fantastic - and when people comment - as they often do - they tend to think its designer. I just keep Schtum and keep them guessing.

situated up a side street, so not everybody knows it is there. mainly aimed at the older lady as…read moretheir stock often seems a little old fashioned, and slightly overpriced

Aimed more at teenagers and young girls - this is an ideal store for gift buying. The stock…read moreencompasses jewellery, bags, purses, hair accessories, hosiery, cosmetics and more. Prices start from about 99p. I find this place is a bit much personally, too much stuff crammed into such a small place. I start looking and give up after 5 mins because I just get overwhelmed. It is not helped in this branch specifically as its soooo tiny, you cannot move in here on a saturday its mental. Service is a bit O.T.T for me, they are straight on you as you walk in instead of waiting for buying signals. I have to admit that they do know their stock in general and are helpful if you want something specific. I think the only time I would use this to buy for myself was if I was going to a fancy dress do or a hen night and wanted some extra wacky accessories. Maybe its me, maybe I am getting old - but tiara's and feather boas on an everyday basis not really gonna happen. As 'Fallen Angel' mentioned they also do a piercing service (I have not used so cannot comment much), most of the staff seem to have lots of piercings so I can only take this as a sign that they know hat they are doing!!

a fab shop for funky accesories. also offers ear piercing…read more has everything from hair bands to hen night accesories

great as there isnt much choice for blokes clothes in tamworth…read more although quite pricey, they offer upto date fashions, and it is all good quality. they sell mens accessories too, like ties, cufflinks etc.

Great store with reasonable pricing - in line with NEXT. Great value and quality suits for only £69…read moreand great quality jackets just £50. This is great when it comes to 'quality' menswear not primark!

These wonderful ladies run the best tailors shop in the West Midlands. If you are looking for an…read moreexcellent tailor/seamstress, it's well worth the trip if you're in Birmingham. I'll lay you a wager that you can't find a service as impeccable with prices as reasonable as Zip & Tuck. We first came across them when my 6'5" tall, lanky husband (sorry baby!) bought a namebrand suit on the cheap, and needed it altered to fit his svelte frame. There was a complex bit of stitching at the back, so I wasn't able to use my trusty thimble on it with aplomb. We brought it into Zip & Tuck, and hey presto! 3 days later and £15 later, they'd not only taken in the back seamlessly (ha!), they'd lengthened the arms and trousers. He tried it on, and it looked like it had been individually tailored. Our second experience was with the fine ladies (who are trained in Costume Design and Fine Tailoring) saving our wedding day. And this is all true. I had bought a couture wedding dress from an American designer. It was made to fit my figure perfectly, snug, but not too snug -- just right. I hadn't tried the dress on in about a month, since my last fitting, when, a few days before the wedding, I tried it on to show some friends. The dress was huge at the waist, and the consequent gapping there was causing the thin straps to pull down against my shoulder blades, rubbing them raw and creating angry looking red skin (non tres sexy). I had, apparently, lost some weight in the run up to the wedding, making my fits-like-a-glove dress into a bride's nightmare. In a blind panic I wailed at my then-fiance to help, sew it with his teeth if necessary. He rushed the dress over to Zip & Tuck with literally a day and a half to spare. We brought the dress in at noon, and by 5pm, with a rush job done perfectly, the dress was done. They had even altered the straps slightly, which I hadn't asked them to do, and helped the dress fit even better. End result was a happy bride, and thus, a happy groom (shrieking bride = deaf groom). If you've been putting off an alteration or button catastrophe, stop by Zip & Tuck. The competent job will make you feel like a gazillion bucks.

When Lawrence Llwellyn Bowen came flouncing onto our screens with a flick of his locks and a rustle…read moreof his frilly cuffs he brought with him Interior design to the masses. He and his cronies dumbed it down and bigged it up until society really thought they could do it themselves. Only problem was it was probably done very badly, with little flair, and no tecnical expertise. Hobbycraft is much the same. I always feel that this is a place to occupy those with no creative thoughts in their own head and too little time on their hands. On the one hand coming from a Fine Art background myself I am kind of glad that people are trying to make and do at all its just its all soooo twee and derived. Ok controversial rant over. They sell a huge array of paints, canvasses, sewing/embroidery, and craft materials. They sell model making kits and gift sets, dried flowers and balloons. You name it and they probably have it. And its huge. But vastly overpriced. The thing for me is if you know what you want and what you are doing and you just want craft materials - its alot cheaper on the net. However if you do want idiot-proof step by step instruction on how to be 'arty' this is probably the place for you. Certain friends of mine will argue that this is a great place to get kids involved. Maybe it is , and call me a scrooge, but my kids will be collecting worms,feathers and leaves and making collages from them just like I used to do.

Matalan is such a great store for everything 'arts and crafts'…read more They sell things for people of all ages and skill groups so if you're bored on day, go down to Hobby Craft and you will definitley find something to do. Some of the things can be quite expensive but it's definitley worth it as the quality of the things they sell is very high. It's a very big shop though and there's something to look at down every aisle so make sure you give yourself plenty of time if you're planning a trip there!

I am trying to be objective here as I must point out that I used to in the dim and distant past…read morework as the manager of this store!! Good range of clothes from 14-30 with constant updates and accessories to match. Prices on the steep side but they are always having offers and sales. Shoe range is very strong. The downside in this particular store is the fitting rooms, they are located at the back of the store and are very small and not at all accessible if you either use a wheelchair or have a buggy. Very frustrating as you have to go up steps to access this area.

I do like the layout of this shop and they have plenty of styles to choose from whether its formal…read moreor casual wear. Some of the items can be a bit on the expensive side but they do carry large quantities of various sizes. The staff are very friendly and chatty and will help you out if you are spoilt for choice plus the other customers are friendly too.

New Look is a solid, dependable choice if you are under a fashionable sort and are looking for the…read moreseason's latest trends, without a Top Shop pricetag. The quality of the clothes is good, not amazing, but a dress will last you the season, if not more. If you're a fan of ASOS, but don't want the poor quality clothing (unraveling strings, popping buttons, argh!), head to New Look. Unfortunately, the Tamworth New Look is located in Ankerside, a shopping centre of decrepit years and downtrodden shoppers. The ceilings are low, the lighting is poor, it's dirty and parking is a real pain in the booty. But, if you need New Look, you must brave these trials. The staff are just staff -- there to help you find a size, but mostly busy hanging up clothes and popping their bubblegum loudly. The shop is a bit small, so it's hard to work your way around on a busy day, with lots of squeezing past stuffed rails of frocks and stepping out of the way for buggies (pushed by mums with an average age of 12). The sale section in particular is quite large, but really messy and stuffed in. Also, there are only three changing rooms, so expect a wait if you're there at a busy time. It's worth checking stock by phone before you go if you're looking for something in particular, as it is a smaller shop, so you may need to head to Lichield or Sutton for what your wardrobe needs.

What I like about New Look as a brand is they manage to have that little bit of edginess still in…read moretheir range and manage to make the high fashion look accesible to the minions on the High Street. I think they do well in translating the looks so they are wearable for the masses of all age and size. I also like the fact they do this at a good price. Plus they cater for Maternity, plus size and teenage, with shoes, accessories and underwear all in one shop so you can really get a complete outfit in one hit. Their basics are great too - good quality leggings for a fiver and long sleeved tees for £6. great. This particular one is a nice size - not the biggest I have seen.. but easy enough to get around even with a buggy. Its always well stocked and looks well looked after. The staff are friendly but not overtly 'in your face'. Ooh and clean spacious fitting rooms. I also love their xmas gift range - and their selection of novelty pjs/nightwear is probably one of the best at this price range. My favourite item in this shop yesterday was the 'spongebob' boypants - had to have 'em.