Supercigs is one of those really special little shops for really good value…read more Supercigs is just before you go down to the city arcade, red fronted shop with a white sign. Yhe shop is very narrow but very long too. Magazines are lined up and the left hand side taking over much of the entire wall, from floor to ceiling. These consist of magazines be it hair or gaming ones to fhm etc etc. They also have newspapers too as do all newsagents papershops. On the right hand sisde of the shop you find lots of sweets, these are usually bagged up and are great value for money. The shop also sells drinks to, these are also at a great price. Definately one not to miss. The till is at the back of the shop with friendly helpful staff, always seemingly happy. This is the only one in coventry unless the one in bell green, riley square still exsists which is a shame as this shop does a roaring trade due to their great prices.

WHSmith in Birmingham New Street Station is a fairly strange store down to the construction of New…read moreStreet Station as it basically is two stores in one back to back, mainly down to the ticket gates being past the stores so the store had to compromise through having a larger store and then a small store round of the back. For me this does affect the overall store as the stock is less, the store is more cramped and smaller in both sides as the average travel store would be. I came in here to grab a quick drink to take onto my train, the prices were higher than normal with it down to being a travel store. The manned till was empty and the store was really understaffed which meant a long wait time to redeem and sort out my coupon, which was frustrating as for me a travel store especially should be quick with a staff member on hand to help and there should always be at least one manned till for people who might struggle with one of the two self-service machines or wanting to buy something age restricted such as an energy drink. WHSmith is in pretty much every Railway Station, and although the stock is slight, size, service and overall feel is worse than other travel locations and price is perhaps nearer than nearby locations (remember Grand Central with a Tesco and many other retailers is right above New Street and this store) it still deserves at least two-stars for location and having a satisfactory beverage selection.

This shop is a lifesaver! They carry magazines, paperback books, candy and travel essentials…read more Ladies, this shop seems to be the only place at New Street aside from Boots that sells feminine hygiene products. Boots always seems to have a queue but its really easy to zip in and out of here.

This is a fab bookshop that sells fiction, non-fiction, auto biographies and educational books. I…read morehave saved a fortune by getting text books from this shop. This also sell greetings cards which are lovely and start at 49p. I like the range of childrens educational toys which are excellent value for money

Awesome for box sets for 8-15 and individual adult books but no single ones, which means I don't…read moreoften go in unless I'm looking for an entire new series. Amazing prices though!

This is a great little charity shop. It has reasonaby cheap stock, and this tends to come from posh…read moreareas so it's all good quality stuff! They have a generally fairly good book section, and lots of ornaments and collectibles, although these can sometimes be a little steeply priced, but it's all for charity so who can blame them ;) The staff are always friendly. There is usually a good selection of second-hand furniture, and they will deliver it for you if needs be. Much better than the Acorns shop round the corner. Free parking, though you do sometimes have to park at the other end of the shopping centre! If you're visiting, please note that they close at 4.30 every day.

It's probably one of the most interesting charity shops I have been to. certainly the one with more…read morequantity of fine items for really inexpensive prices! Shakespeare Hospice is spread in several areas of Warwickshire and the clothing and jewellery find there follow the outstanding pattern from some boutiques. As I am a bit weird in my choices I was more interested to bring back home, as quick as possible, two editions of Jeff Lindsay books ( £ 1.50 each) which I have the Portuguese versions in Brazil. As well as I started a very careful hunting for some gorgeous bracelets ( 50 pence each) available in the shop. I am also still dreaming about all jewellery that shop sells. It's posh and the service is just wonderful. An as well posh lady with a smile on her face served me which was something really nice but I still think she didn't know I was buying books about the history of a very pop serial killer. Anyway, Shakespeare Hospice at Henley-in-Arden is definitely a shop to visit in this picturesque village.

Scribbler is a gift, card and novelty shop located on the top level of the Bullring (on the…read moreentrance from the Bull). It's brightly coloured and inviting exterior never fails to draw my eye when I'm taking a shortcut to the Birmingham Markets to grab the weekly shop. Yesterday I thought I would pop in and actually have a look. It's not a large unit, but the walls and floors are totally packed with fun bits and pieces and cards of a good quality. The greetings cards are probably on par with someone like Paperchase in terms of cost, but I spotted some designs I hadn't seen before (and will be back to check regularly to stock up for friends and family). They sell a small range of gift books (including things like Grumpy Cat, Cyanide and happiness as well as other internet webcomics) and items from the likes of "Fred & Friends" for those awesome kind of kitchen gadgets that you don't need, but you definitely want. I spotted some 75% off items on their far wall, left over from the Christmas sales. I ended up purchasing 7 different things that WOULD have been over £40 pre-sale, but I paid £11. The member of staff at the counter was chipper, helpful and welcoming and we had a good old chat about some of the items they stock in the shop. A lot of the gear in here is expensive, but it's unusual and fun and would make brilliant presents for those "hard to buy for" people in your life. Definitely pop on down and give it a look next time you're in the Bullring.

A good range of toys at a competitive price. Good access with both pushchair and wheel chair. Areas…read moreare clearly divided into board games, boys stereotypical toys, girls stereotypical toys, toys for pre-schoolers, and out door toys. Staff are helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable, its just a huge shame they stopped selling doctor who toys.

good selection of items,but would like to see it open on sundaysread more

Cult clothing has moved around several times since I first moved to Birmingham, first swapping its…read moremodestly-sized original store for a much larger unit nearby, and then migrating to the Bull Ring when that opened. While they've always stocked the trendier end of alternative and skater fashion, as the years have worn on their gear has grown more generic while the prices have continued to climb. There are racks and racks of shirts, trousers and shoes in this latest incarnation of the store, but you'll be lucky to find anything that doesn't have the Super Dry brand name plastered all over it. I don't know about you, but I prefer my alternative clothing to have a little less of a uniform feel to it. The clothing is pretty high quality and there are some really funky designs if you're willing to have a bit of a dig through, but at the prices Cult charge you're better off shopping elsewhere for your skater/surf wear.

I remember the original Cult Clothing store just off New Street - it then moved to bigger premises…read morejust up the road, and finally fell to the lure of the Bullring as did most stores that were outside that precious boundary! The new store is average really. Split over two levels, I've always found the clothes quite close together and it quite difficult to manoeuvre around the store. The staff at this new store (whether it's the change of premises affecting their mood, or new staff) seem to be much ruder than before, and in my experience have been quite reluctant to assist! The range of clothes, however, is quite good, and the store is a decent size. A bigger shoe department might be beneficial. At the moment it quite lets the shop down.