As a resident of the famous seaside resort Blackpool, and considering the amount of inaccurate, largely biased reviews (from tourists) about the town, I decided to write this, about the towns shopping. Tourists listen up.
Don't expect any boutiques in blackpool- there are none. Clothes wise the primark is usually the best bet for cheap items, with the newly opened store serving as a great new shop (opened 2006) right in the centre of town. Also, the town has a small next store opposite the Winter Gardens, as well as other fashion outlets such as river island, topman, and monsoon in the hounds hill. Besides these, the only other clothes stores are for school uniforms or granny chique. In other words, charity shops. And boy are there a lot of them in Blackpool. If youre arriving in blackpool after may youre lucky, as a new Debenhams store is set to open as part of the development of the Hounds Hill shopping centre.
As it stands, the hounds hill is grubby and dark with very little lighting, more 1976 than 2008. The new proposals ready for May 2008 look set to change all that. And by looking at the plans, I cant help but feel a bit more optimistic about the towns future (for sketches of how the new centre will look search on google image for 'houndshill blackpool').
A spot many tourists wont visit is Abingdon Street Market, near the Winter Gardens. Housed all under one roof are hundreds of small markey stalls, all with bargains to be had. Somehow throughout the years with all the modernisation that's taken place around it, this place has managed to retain its community feel. Well worth a look around.
Retail wise, Blackpool houses most of the usual highstreet names. HMV, Whsmith, Woolworths, Waterstones, Argos, Dixons, Thorntons, Curries are all here, as are most of the other big brand shops.
Bargain wise, the best place to go is obviously Primark for clothes, and 'The Works' for books. This store seems to be having clothing down sales every week for the past 2 or 3 years and there prices have remained cheap throughout. Recently I bought the book U2 by U2 for £20 in HMV, but found it going for £5 in the works a couple of weeks later! Its madness, I really don't know they do it.Places to shop-
The new debenhams
Abingdon Street Market
Hounds Hill
Places/People to avoid-
The tacky shops which run down the promenade (fake boobs anyone?)
The best time to shop is obviously winter and spring when there are fewer tourists. If you come during summer though, make sure you do your shopping early 9-11, to avoid the crowds
A short distance away from Blackpool is fleetwood, and the Freeport Shopping Complex. It houses more sophisticated shops aimed mainly at adventure/outdoor persuits and homewear.
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I have found a few good shops in Blackpool by mistake and I even bought my dress to get married in a lovely red one but I can't remember where from now - we just happend to be passing and called in
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Feb 17th, 2008
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