London Shopping Tips by sourbugger

Name of Shop: Cyberdog

Sourbugger is a man of a certain age, and therefore feels no compunction to dress up in a day-glo PVC suit witha flashing number on it advertising his IQ.

On the other hand he is quite content to wander around the Cyberdog shop to see what the 'pretty young things' of London see as cutting edge in Clubwear.

This shop, buried in the heart of Camden Market sells all manner of 'party gear' and I don't mean Jelly and Ice-cream.

The shop itself retains much of the original Victorian Brickwork arches, into which as been aded various space-station mock ups, robots, a coffee bar, some very stange electronic installation and shop assistants who go by the description of "Nice people, Wrong Planet".

Still, if your after the ultimate "Bling-Bling" clothes to set your local dancefloor alight, then this is the place.

What To Buy: The stock changes all the time : but if it's in It's here.

What To Pay: Quite pricey in comparison to more mainstream places

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Theme: Women's Clothes
Address: Stables, Camden market.
Directions: Just head for Camden town tube, and follow the signs.
Website: www.cyberdog.net

Name of Shop: Punkyfish

The 'Punkyfish' brand is according to rather attractive shop assistant I was talking to in a Camden store has become seen as a brand that has serious 'street-cred' . She also said the company has plans for rapid expansion.

I think she only deigned to speak to me (an obviously middle aged male with no dress sense rather than a hip young thing with no stomach) because she was utterly bored with working at the place and was trying to having a crafty fag just outside the door to the shop.

I am certainly not qualified to speak about such things (clothing that is) - all I know is they have several shops littered around Camden's roads, which must be a sign that they are doing well.

What To Buy: Buy more miniskirts - that's my advice in life


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Theme: Women's Clothes
Address: Camden town - various

Name of Shop: Taste of Siam Thai Supermarket

This little shop on Camden High street stocks just about anything you need to make a special Thai meal. I love Thai food, but unfortunately I am a terrible cook. Fried egg on toast is about my limit.

Another gentleman, who was in the shop at the time remarked that he normally had to travel all the way to Hampsted to get this sort of stuff before he discoved this shop.

Hey, it's grim up North London.


What To Pay: Sample price : 165ml of Coconut milk : 35p

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Theme: Food and Drink
Address: 47 Camden High Street

Name of Shop: Souvenier Central, Camden Canal Market

One of the biggest and best value Souvenier shops I have come across is in Camden Canal Market. This section of the Camden markets lies opposite the main Camden Lock Market. Approach by a covered passage directly after crossing the bridge over the canal.

This large shop as every possible touristy nick-nack you could ever possibly not want from Union-Jack G-string thongs (not as good as the VT ones of course) to blow up Beefeaters (well whatever lights your candle)

One easy place to buy all the rubbish needed for the folks at home.



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Theme: Other
Phone: 0207 284 4600
Address: Camden canal market
Directions: see above

Name of Shop: Lost 'n' found Clothing Ltd

There seems to be many ways that a business will avoid the word 'secondhand', it sound so cheap doesn't it ? 'Previously owned', 'New to you', 'As new' and many other euphanisms come to mind.

In Camden's markets you will find many shops that are basically selling secondhand clothes. Most off the stuff is however good quality and well above the 'jumble sale' piles of tat. Here you may well get designer gear for a fraction of the original price, and if your interest is in way out, outlandish clothes then you could spend days here.

Whilst it is unfair to single ant particular shop out, the one listed above seems to have a very wide selection of stuff.



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Theme: Women's Clothes
Phone: 020 7482 2848
Address: Arch, 48, The Stables Market. Calk farm rd, Camden
Directions: In the main Camden lock Market

Name of Shop: Egyptomania

This small shop is located deep in the heart of the rabbit warren that is Camden Market.

If you are looking for an Egyptian Hooka (and who isn't ?) then this is your shop. The 'bubble pipes' line the walls of the shop, but they also sell handcrafted Papyrus, Perfume Bottles,Brass Pyramids, Grape Lamps, Stone Statues, Ornaments, Mother of Pearl inlaid boxes, Jewellery, Silver, and more (as they always say)

The friendly owner, Ashraf Sayed, is proud of his shop and is always willing to have a chat.

What To Buy: hubba bubba


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Theme: Local Craft
Address: stables market, camden town
Directions: deep in camden lock market.

Name of Shop: After dark fashions and Booty accessories

Sourbugger never has or never will have any urge to dress in a way that looks like death warmed up.

They say Black is the new Black, but believe me it has never been OUT of fashion around here.

The place sell tons of clothing for those who wish to make such a statement, along with hair care stuff, fangs, wings, wigs jewllery and gothic gifts.

They also sell PVC club Wear, but don't get me started on that subject again or i'll end up dribbling (again)

What To Buy: Don't ask me I'm far too conventional


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Theme: Women's Clothes
Phone: 02074851138
Address: camden lock
Directions: camden lockcanal market
camden high street
London
NW1 8JX
Website: www.afterdarkfashions.co.uk

Name of Shop: Kalimantan

This shop is one of the larger units in Camden market and is a vertitable alladin's cave of all things Indonesian.

From furnishings to trinkits and gifts a good percentage of the output of Ubud in Bali and other Indonesian craft town must be represented here.

Quite visually stunning to look at prices are fairly reasonable - until you actually go to Indonesia that is.

Always open at weekends, and 'sometimes' wednesday to Friday.



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Theme: Home Furnishing
Phone: 0207 4823595
Address: The Livery, stables market, Chalkfarm road Camden
Directions: Far end of Camden Lock market

Name of Shop: Books

Foyles used to be a complete nightmare, with books stacked everywhere and staff who must have protected them during the Blitz.

It much more 'tided up' these days but the place is still a bit of an eccentric labyrinth and the staff are as knowledgable about books as ever.

This is the real joy of Foyles - the average bookshop assistant in England wouln't know a Jeffrey Archer from a Douglas Hurd (cockney rhyming slang) or as Basil Fawlty put it - a Bordeaux from a Claret.

Enjoy a good mooch around it - whatever your looking for they will find it - eventually.



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Theme: Books
Address: 113-119 Charing Cross road
Directions: Charing Cross road - look for the big red vertical sign.
Website: www.foyles.co.uk

Name of Shop: Shervingtons

Shervington's on High Holborn is one of the finest tobacco shops in the world.

They have vast ranges of cigars for sale, including every concievable brand from Cuba. They can be bought individually or boxed. They also stock all the vast paraphanalia that goes along with cigar and pipe smoking.

I'm not a smoker myself, but it was nonetheless very interesting to browse around and purchase presents for friends who do indulge in such disgusting habits.

Quite interestingly, nobody (staff or customers) in the shop appeared to be smoking themselves !

What To Buy: If you are American, then I believe you may facesome kind of penalty if you take Cuban cigars back to the states. If you take the wrapping off, then I can't see how they could trace it.

You have been warned !

What To Pay: From a few quid for individual cigars - up to thousands for rarer boxed sets.

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Theme: Other
Phone: 02074052929
Address: 337/338 High Holborn
Directions: Near to Chancery Lane Tube stop.