It's funny how you can live somewhere for ages and still make joyous discoveries, such as this. I…read morecame in here a while ago (having some how missed it!) and was delighted to see a shop dedicated to retro gaming. Although as I entered the front of the store had a few bare shelves, next to the DVDs that were on sale, as you delve further back there are many retro gems to be found. All kinds of old school games and consoles are on offer here, from Sega Saturn, Nintendo 64, Mega Drive and many more. I'm always on the look out to find old games and was really chuffed to see they had quite a few of my old favourites in attendance! All the classics, Golden Eye, Sonic and a range of Disney games to name but a few, were there before my gleaming eyes. They also buy in old stock, which is great news for me as I have a hoard of items that I really can't see myself playing anymore, so promised the guys I would be back soon with a bag of goodies for them! One of the best things, other than the old school haven of games, was that they had a whole hoard of Tartan Asia Extreme films on sale too. To any other fans of Tartan, you'll know this is pretty awesome, since Tartan Asia is sadly no more! I'd strongly advise getting in there and stocking up, if I don't beat you to it that is... To conclude: Friendly staff, awesome retro games, Tartan DVDs. That adds up to a win in my book!

This is a brilliant little shop which ok is not as cheap as cex most of the time, but the fact…read morethat majority of the time they have DVD's and games that cex don't more than makes up for it and are generally in better condition as most discs i get from there don't have a single scratch or finger print!! Considering its only a small shop they have a very large selection to choose from, for example you can get anything from super nintendo, and dreamcast to PS3 and XBOX 360 games and video cassettes to DVDs. Its deffinatly worth a look if you want to buy a box set as they are quite often fairly cheap. The service is very friendly and they know what they are doing I would recomend anyone to go in and have a look.

In these days of big companies like HMV and Zavvi (or whatever it's called these days) dominating…read morethe music retail business, as well as the rise of downloading music (whether legal or illegal), it's easy to forget the charm of independent local music shops like Quicksilver Music. Hidden down Market Street, Quicksilver is a small but appealing shop that sells a modest but varied selection of CDs and vinyl, both of which are split quite helpfully and comprehensively into different genres and artists. You do still have to search through them a bit for a few hidden gems, but that's all part of the fun. As well as selling music, Quicksilver also sells a small selection of electric, acoustic and bass guitars as well as a few amps. None of them are particularly expensive models (most are at the cheaper end of the spectrum) but some models there have been discontinued so would be considered quite rare. The selection may be quite small but there is quite a variation and if you're looking for a more original choice for a basic guitar then there are some bargains on offer there. Quicksilver Music might not be for more commercial music fans but if small independent music stores with a bit of character appeal to you, then it's definitely a place to check out and support.

Hooray for independent bookshops! They are a dying breed. This one has many endearing…read moreidiosyncrasies. The classical music playing in the background gives it an austere feel and the window display of nature/gardening orientated books reminds you are shopping amongst the middle aged. Maybe I'm old before my time as this is what dragged me in most recently but when it comes to bookshops I don't even need a nudge. There is a large local section with books and maps about Ilkley, the Moors and Yorkshire, in historical, fictional and photographic form. There is a fiction section and I liked the 'our choice' stand that had books mostly about - you guessed it - Yorkshire, on it. There is a large cookery and travel section and apart from books they sell penguin mugs and bags. I didn't venture downstairs but I hear there is a classical music section selling sheet music and CDs, alongside British and foreign film DVDs. Their book-ordering system is speedier than Waterstone's too!

This bookshop is totally humungous, and being in Ilkley, in not without it's quirks! The building…read moreoutside is gorgeous and inviting, with stark royal blue woodwork, and it sits on one of the main high streets so it's easy to locate. It sells a good deal of standard titles. Selling a range of musical books, from contemporary, jazz, folk and more, as a musician (or budding musician) you couldn't want for more! The staff are helpful if you get stuck, which is always a bonus, so have no fear if you're not sure what it is you are looking for. They also have a whole host of fiction, classics, children's books and a load of lovely Yorkshire related titles. On a slightly more odd note, like I said - quirks, at the time of shopping they had a bunch of children's titles in the window for Christmas. All looked normal, cute and such until I noticed one most peculiar title. It was a picture booked called "Santa needs a wee!" Possibly the funniest and most bizarre Christmas related child's book I've ever seen. Awesome.

There are two World's Apart shops in Liverpool and contrary to the name they are actually quite…read moreclose together. This building in Lime street is a mess and needs a sympathetic refurb and clean. I was surprised to discover that actually this shop is part of a small chain. I visited the shop for the first time this week. It's full of comics and toys you simply can't get elsewhere - not that I have tried. So many of the toy figures I could not recognise although I did spot some of the original Dr Who figures and some from Final Fantasy. Forget Toys R Us, this place is a wealth of badges, stickers, games and oddness for kids, adults and fans of things I've never even heard of.

Like its geeky counterpart, Forbidden Planet on Bold, World's Apart deals in all things cult. Cult…read moreis often a term used to describe things that have a strong, devoted core audience - or for studio executives something with low viewing figures. But no more, the popularity if this store can be seen on Saturday afternoons as children and adults alike fill the store and rummage through the amazing collections of limited edition, imported and new toys, comics, books, graphic novels, DVDs, posters and clothing for every genre and range of sci-fi, horror and anime franchise.

Hmmm, in my opinion, Cheshire Oaks should have something a bit more well known such as HMV or…read moreZavvi...anyway, this shop is ok, sells most CD's and DVD's and games that you would expect but considering it is on the outlet side, prices don't seem all that much cheaper.....

this is good shop for guitars drumsetc. tiny shop but jam packed with musical goodies ie straps…read morestrings electric acoustic amps and loads more

Helpful shop keeper and fantastic range of magazines! Who cares if it's cluttered? All you need to…read moredo is ask!

first passing visit, called in for a newspaper and was astounded by the huge selection of…read moremagazines. noticeably no lottery machine either which is impressive. long may they continue to trade.