WHSmith is certainly a staple of the British high street, it seems there are very few towns and…read morecities in the country to lack a WHSmith store. It's a brand you pretty much expect to find wherever you go. This store fits that quota, it's nothing too exciting/different, it's your typical, average WHSmith. The store is a little dark, and while it isn't as modern as some of their newer stores, the store isn't as old-fashioned as some of their older ones which aren't very easy on the eye either. It is in a good location within Bolton town centre, it is a couple of minutes away from most shops in the town centre as well as Bolton Interchange. The prices are a little high, but they do have a satisfactory selection of books/drinks, nothing too impressive but if you're thirsty in town and looking for a quick beverage or to put on your lottery, without much of a queue and/or without having to go into a larger store such as one of the nearby supermarkets, this isn't too bad. The staff seemed friendly enough. 3*

Three floors! Three floors of... stuff! I don't know that I have ever been in a WHSmith that…read morespans three floors. Although three floors doesn't necessarily mean that it is bigger or contains more stock than the average WHSmith. Actually, it feels a bit cluttered... when we walked in it actually felt a bit like a location of The Works rather than a WHSmith. We didn't go upstairs, but the main floor has magazines, cards, stationary while the bottom floor has books. We were actually there looking for books and while they have a decent selection, it isn't as large as some of the other stores I have been to. Also if you have a large shopping bag or back pack, you may want to watch turning around and moving about as some of the spots in the store are quite narrow. It can be difficult to find a staff member, especially if you are on the bottom floor and the staff are on the other floors. I only saw stairs to access the other floors, so I'm not sure if it is accessible for all customers.

Obviously the Northern Quarter is all about cool record shops, trendy vintage clothes and kitsch…read moreaccessories. However, all of the cool people around still need to buy gum, cigarettes and a can of pop every now and then. Just like the rest of us. That's where Walia News comes in. It's located just around the corner from Piccadilly Records, sandwiched in between an exclusive t-shirt shop and a drugs accessories shop, appropriately enough. Walia News has an almost ridiculous number of filthy magazines on its top shelf. It's a long top shelf. But for the less filthy-minded amongst us (me), there are plenty of normal magazines and papers on offer too. The guy serving at Walia News is kind of stern. We're not going to best friends. Apart from these things, Walia News is just a newsagents innit.

Newsagents in the middle of a very vintage lane! It is surrounded by vinyl record stores, vintage…read moreclothing and accessories. It is a typical newsagents but the amount of magazines it has stocked up is kind of the first thing you would notice! Every kind one could ever think of! (For the very clean slated minds as well as the perverted kinds) Apart from the magazines, think chewing gum, cigarettes, food and anything a newsagents could have. It comes in aid of the needs for all the vintage loving people dwelling in here!

I needed a few books and WH Smiths had just what i was…read morelooking for was in oldham already so popped to the city centre branch. They have a wide range of books and lots had 75 per cent off they also sell diarys. calenders and a decent range of cards staff seemed polite and helpful so i cant complain. This book store isnt as big as the one in the manchester arndale but served its purpose .

Just a note to say post office oldham as moved in here in case you were wondering it has made the…read moreshop a bit smaller but still functional the post office is situated at the back

This WHSmith store is located on Market Street, serving Manchester city centre, with entrances via…read moreboth the Manchester Arndale and on Market Street opposite Virgin Money, the store opened in 2017 in a unit vacated by "SELECT" after relocating from elsewhere in the mall. I much prefer this store to their old one. It still has a refreshing, modern twist on it, that you simply don't get from other WHSmith stores. The store is over two floors, with a lift/stairs between both levels. The store has a nice selection of stationery, greeting cards and books. There are payment counters at each end of the store, the larger checkout, located by the Market Street entrance, includes National Lottery services. There are also two small fridges selling a small range of beverages, although the selection was not as good as other WHSmith stores, and miles behind their travel locations. Staff friendly enough, it always seems a little pricey here too (but that's WHSmith for you...) 4*

This newsagents stands out from all the business on Oldham Street purely because it's just a…read morenewsagents. It's not a ridiculously cool record shop or a quirky café bar. It's just a newsagents. And that's just fine. The owner is friendly, chirpy guy and the newsagents itself is small and clean. There's no alcohol on sale, just loads of sweets, crisps and chocolate, as well as cigarettes. They also offer fax and photocopying services here. For the second time this week though, I've found a newsagents that also sells garish-looking weird handbags! Why? Would anyone really buy a rubbish handbag from a newsagents?!

WHSmith in Wigan is a decent store, it has improved since my last visit and now has a Post Office…read moreat the back of the store, which is becoming more and more common now in WHSmith's town centre locations across England. I like how the building has a victorian-Esque style feel about it while being combined into Grand Arcade Shopping Centre. Pretty much your typical WHSmith, the staff seemed friendly enough, a little overpriced could be slightly cheaper but OK overall. 3*

An interesting concept WHSmith store, The WHSmith Local brand is from WHSmith's Wholesale…read moredepartment and is described as " ideal for independent CTN/Newsagents & Post offices", so the store is different to your regular WHSmith store. Located in Canning Gate Shopping Centre, within Leigh town centre, it is opposite Ryman and close to the Bus Station. Cannings and WHSmith Local is the full name of this location. The store was small, but they had a decent selection of most items you'd expect to find from WHSmith, including a lottery desk at the back, meaning there were two separate tills to help ease queuing, they had a small selection of drinks too but sadly they didn't stock Lipton Ice Tea. 3* - This store is OK, one of the better newsagents within the town centre (especially if you don't fancy going into a supermarket), and a unique concept.

I called in at Waterstones in the Arndale at lunchtime looking for a particular game - I wasn't…read moreable to find it and didn't have much time as I was on lunch break. The lovely assistant promised to locate the game for me and when I returned after work it was there waiting for me to pick up behind the desk with my name on it. THIS IS GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE - VERY IMPRESSED! Thanks so much Ann

This branch of Waterstones - along with all of its other branches - is now closed temporarily, due…read moreto the coronavirus situation.