'Allo! I'm not contributing to Ciao for the time being but if you are bored / desperate / weird enou...
'Allo! I'm not contributing to Ciao for the time being but if you are bored / desperate / weird enough to wish to continue to read my ramblings, you can find me on Dooyoo under the user name plipplop. See you around! :P
Member since:15.07.2000
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As far as cities go, Bristol is probably on the smaller end of the scale, but it delivers a relatively comprehensive selection of shops to suit all tastes. I cannot profess to be an expert on all types of shops - as I doubt buy all types of products - but will attempt to offer some useful advice on various aspects of the Bristol shopping experience.
Bristol's location makes it very accessible to the shopper. The M32 leaves the M4 and then runs straight into the City Centre - literally. You can see the main shopping centre as you reach the end of the M32, so finding the shops won't cause you any problems. Nonetheless, you would be well advised to take advantage of one of the many Park and Ride schemes in place in the surrounding areas, as parking in Bristol City Centre can be difficult, and expensive. The local Bus Company run a very frequent, efficient service, with very reasonable fares - furthermore, the Park and Ride routes get all the new buses.
The main shopping centre in Bristol runs along a pedestrianised road called Broadmead. The city centre shopping area tends
to be collectively known as Broadmead, even if the shops are on one of the adjacent roads. Broadmead itself is a relatively standard shopping street, with all the major retailers cropping up. Broadmead is disadvantaged by a busy popular end, and a comparatively quiet, unpopular end, which results in one end of the road being populated by discounters and a few empty units. At the popular end you can find a large Marks and Spencer, Boots, and Tesco Metro, with plenty (understatement) of mobile phone stores and sports shops. At the more unpopular end of the street there is a smallish HMV - who seem ripe to move into one of the bigger units at the other end - and some popular fashion stores such as Envy, and Gap Kids. Envy offers a good range of trendy menswear, without hideously expensive designer price tags. A couple of the card stores at this end sell Beanie Babies, and just off the end of the street is a branch of Forbidden Planet - the sci-fi and collectors store. Great for browsing and the staff are very helpful and friendly.
The Galleries Shopping Centre adjoins Broadmead (at the popular end) and continues the theme of major retailers on it's ground and middle floors. There is a good sized branch of Woolworth's - be prepared to queue - as well as WhSmith and Boots. There are more mobile phone stores and various other fashion retailers. Some of the smaller retailers offer more interesting clothes - surfers and skateboarders tastes are amply fulfilled. There are a couple of fun stores, as well as a new Teddy Bear shop - where you can christen and have your bear dressed to your tastes before he is finished. The top floor of the Galleries seems to attract the smaller stores - presumably attracted by lower rents - and there are often market style stalls offering a variety of fancy goods. The top floor also boasts a recently refurbished Food Hall with a choice of most types of food. This is not a sophisticated - or peaceful - place to eat though and you can expect to fight for a seat.
Virgin Megastore is also located on two floors in the Galleries and opens out onto Union Street. Virgin is perhaps the best music retailer in the city - but not the cheapest (see my opinion on Virgin Megastores). Most of the other units in Union Street have been demolished to make way for a new shopping centre still at the construction stage. Lower Union Street has branches of H & M - very cheap clothes - and a large Next Store. Some of the more fashionable clothes stores are here too - French Connection and Monsoon. Bridewell Street adjoins Union Street - not many shops but there is a very popular designer clothes outlet - John Anthony - with prices to match.
There are a couple of large department stores in the Horsefair, which runs parallel to Broadmead. Debenhams is perhaps the most established - Bentalls is due to close down in Jan 01 with House of Fraser due to take over soon. The Horsefair is where you'll find Macdonald's and Burger King - perfect for the fellas who've got bored in Bentalls.
For the bargain hunter, or the collector, I would recommend a visit to the Gloucester Road - 10 minutes by car/bus or 20 minutes on foot from the centre. This road has a large selection of second hand shops, boasting a wide selection of bric a brac and collectibles. Are 51 specialises in Comics and sci-fi - honestly priced - and there are 5 or 6 Beanie retailers. There are some great second hand retro clothes stores - one of the reasons the area is very popular for students - and a visit to Disc N Tape is recommended for the music buyer (See my review of their website).
Park Street runs from the city centre up a steep hill to the main University building - probably 15 minutes walk from Broadmead - and is the place to shop for those designer clothes addicts. Plenty of shops to choose from - Westworld offers two units of groovy clobber - and the range for boarders and skaters continues to be good. There are some more competitive cd shops and the Bristol Guild will satisfy window shoppers for hours with arts, crafts and HomeWear. There is a well-established Lighting shop - the name alludes me - with the most fantastic range of light fittings and shades, as well as a specialist music retailer with a range of expensive state of the art hi-fi separates.
Bristol also offers an out of town shopping centre - The Mall - which is about 20 minutes drive outside the city. The Mall offers most of the major retailers in one of the latest out of town shopping centres, but personally speaking the Mall offers few attractions over the city, as many of the retailers are resident in both locations. The department store John Lewis now occupies the largest units in the Mall, and continues to offer excellent value and range - but poor service.
Bristol can probably offer a selection of most goods that you ask for, but not really anything that you won't be able to find elsewhere. I wouldn't recommend a special visit, but in the same hand there is no need for people in the area to go further afield to get what they want/need. Bristol's biggest disadvantage is probably the spread of shops - not ideal for the pedestrian shopper.
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I think I prefer cribbs causeway to the mall by hearing the other ratings
v.good though
salem_witch 04.02.2005 07:18
I always go to Cribbs when shopping in Bristol as its easier I think. I never knew you lived in Bristol. I used to live there when I was at UWE.
maxr19 13.07.2001 14:04
Very good op, I'm from Bristol and I agree with you although you forgot to mention Bedminster, which although is relatively small has a few good shops and pubs and is great for a walkabout on a saturday afternoon stopping now and again for a drink.
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Advantages: Really gives an insight into Bristol's Maritime Heritage. Gives children a chance to learn by seeing. Excellent in all aspects. Disadvantages: Don't try to compete with the locals during the rush hour home!
poet831 02.02.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Bristol in General
Advantages: Clean friendly atmosphere, good for most shops. Disadvantages: If travelling from long distances, there are better shopping centres to visit
cascade 23.03.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Bristol in General
Jan 9th, 2001
(Jan 6th, 2001)
very helpful by (93%):
helpful by (7%):
