East end and Essex market culture and other England, United Kingdom Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: Pitsea Market and others

From Sourbugger's Basildon page :

'fell off the back of a van' mate,
...'fire damaged stock' mate.

Many people in Essex originally come from the East End of London. They may have been seeking a better life in the green fields of Essex, but the Market trader philosophy came with them.

Places like Pitsea Market are where you can really participate in the 'lifeforce' of local people. The market operates with about 200 stalls, 4 days a week in the centre of Pitsea's shopping area. Full details are available from the listed website.

Even the operators have few pretensions and use a mock-up to Del and Rodney's Robin Reliant three-wheeler (from the classic British Comedy 'Only fools and Horses') with 'Pitsea Market' on the side to help publicise the place.

You won't find any tourists here, and thus no stalls aimed at tourists, but if you anything from DVD's to Cauliflowers, then this is your place.

As an alternative, visit one of the vast 'boot sales' that operate at the weekend, just look out for signs on the A127, or elsewhere, directing you to some sodden field where you can purchase the contents of someone else's garage.



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Theme: Other
Website: www.charfleet.co.uk

Name of Shop: The Mailbox in Birmingham

From Sourbugger's Birmingham page :

In its' quest to become a modern, trendy city the mailbox is an attempt to create an upmarket shopping area. It claims that the the shopping centre / hotel / restaurant / parking / chewing gum holder development is the, and I quote, 'biggest mixed use development in the U.K'.

That is as maybe, but it also means that in the quest to 'cutting edge' the place suffers from the worst examples of 'developer speak'.

I'll try and translate a little for you :

1) This unique development offers a truly integrated lifestyle choice for the first time in the city's history. It brings together designer fashion and lifestyle shops, luxury apartments, two hotels, secure 24 hour parking and an array of restaurants and café bars. All in an exclusive waterside setting only two or three minutes walk from New Street station.

Means : We got anybody we could to be tennant, but we drew the line at Poundworld or Woolworths. A quick exit is available by train to London

2) Birmingham's answer to Bond Street, Wharfside Street is a 200 metre open-air pedestrian route carved dramatically through the full length of The Mailbox.

Means : Its bloody freezing when the wind whips through.

3) It features the largest collection of standalone designer stores outside London including international brands such as Emporio Armani, Harvey Nichols, DKNY, Polo Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss.

Means : Brummies have only just started buying the designer crap the rest of us have bought for years.

NB : DKNY actually stands for Don't Know Nothing Youth.

4) There is the wide variety of stylish restaurants and café bars on offer from Indian cuisine (Café Lazeez) and Japanese (Shogun Noodle Bar) to Italian (Zizzi) and modern new Mexican (Santa fe). Catering for all tastes and budgets, a visit to the many waterside restaurants and café bars makes a perfect post-shopping retreat.

Means : Yet more overpriced, tiny-portioned, pretend food places to waste your money in once you have been fleeced elsewhere.



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Theme: Other

Name of Shop: Metrocentre, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Just don't mention the shoes

From Sourbugger's Newcastle Upon Tyne Page on the Metrocentre - an enormous shopping centre:

The reason why men will always be superior to women : because whatever a woman is concentrating on part of her brain will be wired up to thinking about shoes (sorry for the sexism, but it is a good joke)

I have long suspected that it is only Edwinadolly and Bernishand who ever read shopping tips here on VT.....

Just to annoy them, I will not point out where the shoe shops are. (not that they could read a map anyway)

This massive shopping centre was the largest in Europe when it was built, and probably still is. This at least means that there is a good variety of shops. There are also real pubs which men can seek refuge or sanctuary in. In addition the 'Metroland' theme park (indoors) means that younger kids can be occupied for a while on a collection of fairground rides.

The place used to owned by the Church Commissioners. It seems rather odd that this Cathedral to the God of Mammon has actually helped the Church of England to stay financially afloat.

Rather like an airport (which it closely resembles) there is also a Christian Chapel tucked away in one corner of the centre.

What To Buy: All the normal high street names are here, plus several more specialist ones


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Theme: Other
Directions: Actually in Gateshead, it is very accesible - including by train
Website: www.metrocentre-gateshead.co.uk

Name of Shop: Jim Garraghy's fudge Kitchen

If you have a sweet tooth, then it is difficult to argue with the advertising. I am writing this whilst nibbling on a piece of fudge from the aforementioned shop infused with Whiskey.

At nearly four pounds for a modest sized piece, it must be considered in the same way as Caviar or Parma ham - if you want quality you will have to pay for it. Quality costs - but by God, when those taste buds start dancing you would happily pay twice the asking price.

What To Buy: several varieties - see their website

What To Pay: about 14 pound for 4 slices

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Theme: Food and Drink
Directions: Bath cambridge canterbury edinburgh windsor york amerian adventure theme park & ligytwater valley theme park
Website: www.fudgekitchen.co.uk

Name of Shop: Nigel Gibson interiors

Name of Shop: Nigel Gibson interiors

Packed full of imported continental furnishings and furniture, this shop is a well established estabishment in Stamford.

You will find the new owner 'Neil' hidden amongst the mainly Italian lamps, tables and sofas. He never changed the name of the shop from it's previous owners, so he often answers to 'Nigel' for the sake of convenience.

One feature of the shop is quite unique (well i've never seen it elsewhere). neil lives above the shop, and the first floor of his flat is a 'showflat' that he uses for everyday living, but during shop opening hours you can wander around it. Everything is still for sale here, although slightly 'secondhand'.

I would dread doing that with my house. You would have to be so careful about leaving out old coffee cups, or half-eaten kebabs after a good night out. Perhaps a copy of 'Rubber, whip and donkey' Monthly left down the back of the sofa would not be appreciated by the discerning customers.



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Theme: Home Furnishing
Phone: 01780 766855
Address: 15 St Mary's Hill, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2DP
Website: www.nigelgibsoninteriors.co.uk

Name of Shop: various

Birmingham's Jewellery quarter used to employ up to 60,000 craftsmen at its height.

It's now only a few thousand, but tucked away in this area of the city you can still find individuals who will build just about anything you want in the Jewellery line.

The shops are centred around the Chamberlain clocktower on Warstone road and spread out over about half a mile or so. Most of the shop only date from the 1970's and are therefore not exactly architectural gems themselves.

The gems themselves are of course the draw - the standard of diamonds that you can purchase here, after a bit of shopping around, often equate to about half the purchase price in a high-street Jeweller.

They also tend to have good after-sales service with regular cleaning and insurance certificates thrown in with the deal.

If you are not looking to actually purchase any Jewellery then there is little to see apart from a very historic pub (see other tip) and a museum about the Jewellery quarter, which may take your interest.



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Theme: Jewelry
Address: bIRMINGHAM
Directions: About a one mile walk from the Centre of Birmingham (follow the walking signs) or one stop on the tram after Snow Hill Station.
Website: http://www.the-quarter.com/