As there are only really two shopping centres in Tamworth you really have little choice but to…read morepatronise this place anyway.....or get into Birmingham which is not always practical. The building architecturally is very 70s - it is ugly really, which when you think that is stuck right next to the Castle and many other historical buildings is not so good. Its small for a shopping centre and I feel has really gone down hill in the last few years. It seems to have been taken over by card shops - I counted 5 I think on last visit, and mobile phone shops. There are 3 empty units - ridiculous!! ... and really the only brands worth mentioning are New Look, MK1, and The Early Learning Centre - oh and of course HMV. Add to that the fact that they have now decided to put these weird barrow stall things down the centre it really does seem to become less classy by the year. Most of these stalls are selling the kind of cheap tat you can get outside on the market for half the price so are pointless anyway. The only redeeming features really are that the loos are excellent - call me weird but very clean and spacious and very good baby friendly feautures if you need 'em. Also there are two decent places to eat with generous seating areas, BBs cafe being one of them and Drucker's the other. Only go here if you have no option really - much more choice on the out of town retail complex 'Ventura', which is part of the reason I believe that 'Ankerside' is failing so. All the decent shops have migrated to the newer site. A spot of cash injection please Tamworth Council!!?

Just off the A5, near the Ventura Retail Park is this branch of John Lewis at Home. A large easily…read moreaccessed car park, leads into a bright and expansive store. There is a wide selection of large electrical goods like fridge freezers and washing machines. As always there is an impressive range of kitchenware and crockery, glassware and audiovisual goods. The staff are both helpful and knowledgeable too, which is refreshing. The other end of the store is predominated by lighting, bathroom goods and bedding. A small range of Hotel Chocolat products, toys, gifts and cards, finish off what is an impressive store. The on site cafe is light and airy, with modern furniture - barstools and more conventional tables. The range of drinks is impressive, but the food choice is a little limited, just pastries, cakes, salads and sandwiches, perfect for a snack though. The coffee is strong and flavoursome, but the prices in the cafe are a little on the expensive side. However, the knowledge of the staff and the quality of the products, will always see us return again and again to this impressive store

If you can find a member of staff (they are sometimes difficult to find on the floor), they are…read morepossibly the most courteous, helpful, informed staff you will come across anywhere. John Lewis is known for its excellent quality of products, but deserves to be equally known for the excellence of its staff. We have used JL at Tamworth, Milton Keynes and Touchwood, and they are all a credit to JL. Highly recommend the branch at Tamworth where, if they haven't got it in stock, they will do everything they can to get it for you as soon as possible. Their advice is so helpful too. John Lewis deserve their reputation, and the staff at this branch, as elsewhere, actually do care about making sure the customer is satisfied.

A tiny little 'Aladdin's cave' of an outlet piled to the brim with ladies costume jewellery and…read moreaccessories. Its 'bling' at its best, and girly girls of all ages will lurve this place. Very kitsch, very glam, yes a little tacky at times - but if you want glitz at every day places this is the place to come. You will not find real gold here or diamonds, but plenty of diamonte and paste. They also sell an amazing array of unusual and very ornate handbags and shoes. You are talking 3 ins heels upwards - and occasion wear mostly. Some of the designs are way too O.T.T for me personally - but if you pick and choose you do get some fab pieces. For a good look I would suggest dressing up a simple understated outfit with just one statement accessory from 'Belle's', I personally feel top to toe would scream 'Trailer trash'. Gorgeous, gorgeous boots in a wide array of colours, but again some are more lapdancer than lady - it depends on your preferences I guess!! Me, I have purchased from their several pairs of earings, a beaded evening bag and a tiara. So far... Excellent for filling young girls party goodie bags with trinkets, for Prom accessories, or for little 'cheer me up 'gifts for friends. Also very friendly and personal service. It does get very rammed in here on a sat as its tiny.

fantastic lil gem. A fashionista's dream. Exclusive peices thats make you feel unique and avant…read moregaurd make sure you try it its a treat like no other.

Next is a lovely chain of mid-to-high cost clothing whose quality usually (but not always) matches…read moreup to its prices. They are amazingly good at being right on top of all trends, so if you typically budget between £20-40 for a single item, and really like to wear the current season's fashions, Next is the shop for you. The Tamworth Next is large for the smallish town it's in (80,000 residents at last census), with two stories covering menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, and home decor. Next has a great collection of men's shirts, and £25 per shirt is very reasonable when shopping for my very tall husband, who has very long arms, a broad chest and a thin waist (yes, I'm a lucky girl). They do a Tailored shirt that is slimmer fit through the waist, and has options for 2" longer arms, perfect for my Superman. I recently received a gift voucher for Next, and decided to spend it on some booty-hugging jeans. So I tried on all 12 of the jean varieties Next offered, and found a pair that makes my ample derriere look small, and my American thighs, svelte. For this, I will love Next forever. They have some interesting, yet inexpensive perfumes, but the thing I love most about Next is their shoe collection -- always the latest trends, with some interesting takes on such, and an solid selection of 5"+ heels, which I adore. The staff at the Tamworth Next are very friendly, helpful at the changing rooms, and happy to help or have a chat. There is one assistant manager who's a bit bright orange and dismissive, but the other staff are grand.

So happy with the experience given to us by Dianne in women's wear last weekend an absolute…read moretreasure and a first class assistant that helped us beyond measure and also has a wonderful personality . Thanks Diane

I cannot really remember before the poundland concept arrived in Tamworth. I know the unit used to…read morebe a Tescos when I was a kid but I cant say I can actually remember it. I say this because I remember it being sooooo exciting as a child going in this shop - and now I am all grown up with kids of my own - they are the same. Now this new version has opened in Ankerside and is even better than the original I have seen many similar places over the years but this place knocks spots of em - its huge!!! its actually really well laid out and the staff are really down to earth and cheerful. There is a fantastic selection of toys, household goods, toiletries and novelty items. Its a good place to take my son when he is on school hols and wants something new to do - as it won't break the bank. we have had plaster of paris mould kits from here before, big packs of card and pom poms, stickers etc,. and had hours of fun getting creative. Its also great to pick up little stocking fillers here for xmas - yes you have to scour through alot of Tat - but thats half of the fun. They even sell kids dvds here for a quid - thats a bargain. The only thing I will say is that you can get carried away and buy things for a pound that would probably only be 79p in Asda. But I guess they have to make a profit somewhere.

top brands for only £1…read more food, medicines, pet food, stationary, christmas decs, things for babies, so much stuff in here. they stock top brands, not all cheap tacky stuff you find in other pound shops

My main use of this Store is for the Post Office as its the only one locally now - they have shut 3…read moredown in the last couple of years!! Besides the Post office, there is a travel agent, Homeware dept,electrical dept, food/supermarket area, and a toy department plus a cafe. It is a good all round shop with plenty to offer. I do find the prices on the steep side though - even their own brand food. Although I have had the odd bargain with electricals. My brother also tels me that there travel deals are very good - and that they are very good at catering for the less able ( my sister in Law is wheelchair bound). The service is adequate. They say please and thankyou and are civil - but don't expect a smile!! I always find it nigh on impossible to locate a staff member on the actual shop floor, and then they always seem unsure of their stock - you get 'Oh I don't work on that department sorry'. The cafe does a decent enough breakfast but its nothing spectacular. and I always feel like I am sat at the bus stop eating or something. the area is kind of in the middle of everything else and everyone can watch you eating (maybe that's just me being weird!!)./. Its convenient and Ok but not alot more - sorry. For some reason the O.A.P's love this place though. My nan - god rest her soul - would not shop anywhere else - even though I kept telling her it would cost her half as much at Morrison's!!!

Good shopping with great staff although more expensive than ASDA/Sainsburysread more