Decathlon as mentioned is always a good walk around and I also like the McArthurGlen designer outlets. Just seem to have a good feel about most of the shops and have a good balance of things I want to look at.

From a shopping experience I’d give a mention to McDonalds. Sad it may be but, the buying process is now very slick and even for my helicopter chicken legend meal I am not waiting at all like I would have been only a few years ago.

Pecks of Ely, setting standards since 1846.

https://www.peck.co.uk/

You can buy anything from a few nails to a combine. Including chain saw spares, quad bikes and paint.

Another vote for Decathlon (if they could just do a wide fit shoe).

Also Halfords and Cycle Republic.

Yes they still sell BSO’s at Halfords but they’re not the worst and they also sell really nice stuff.

The people who work in the cycle departments at the two big ones near us clearly actually ride bikes and have enthusiasm and a desire to to help.

Where else can you go at 730 on a Friday night to grab some gear cables and a couple of decent quality sockets or a pedal spanner ahead of the weekend.

Staff are generally courteous and the ones on the specialist desks tend to be knowledgeable.

No I don’t work for them but have had some really good customer experiences in both stores over the last few months. If you must be a mass retailer then this is the way to do it.

Also Go Outdoors. Add a coffee shop and I could be in there from dawn until dusk. 😁

Local choice, Barter Books in Alnwick. Last time I went they gave me £35 for a bag of books which would have gone to charity. I immediately spent it on books I didn’t realise I wanted. Food is great as well.

National, Pets at Home. Knowledgeable enthusiastic staff, great range that changes a lot and cute bunny rabbits to look at.

Yes, Barter Books in Alnwick is amazing – not so much a shop as a day-trip experience!

As a general store, Barnitts in York do an amazing job. pleasure to buy from. The staff are one of the highlights.

There are a few woodturning/woodworking supply shops which are a treasure trove too. Duffield Timber near Ripon, Snainton Woodturning supplies are two I’ve enjoyed but I wouldn’t be surprised if they are all good.

Absolutely Waterstones, although I suspect same could be said of any bookstore large enough that you can hide and read half a book while drinking a coffee (pre-toddler days, sadly).

Decathlon obviously, quite often stock stuff it never occurred to me that I needed but which I absolutely need as soon as I see it (the 3 packs of mini exercise bands are soooo much better for doing monster walks/squatted side steps than the usual knotted inner tube).

Is Dobbies to big to count as one store? It’s a cheap half-day’s entertainment for the toddler, food and drink for the grown ups, has a book shop, a free aquarium/fish shop, and my locals ones between them have bike shops for perving on Bianchis I’ll never buy and Cotswolds for trying on fancy hiking boots I no longer need (toddler again…).

Tiso’s Perth is the one outdoor store to rule them all, for sure.

Telford farm machinery.

I see a few folk recommending Tisos. It used to be a favourite of mine, maybe 15 years ago. However, as I became more picky about my kit and clothing, I started to see it all as generic product* There are a few fashion brands in there too, though each store seems to have a local policy as to balance.

I visit the one in Aviemore frequently but that’s just for the cafe, which is rather excellent.

* same would be true of all the outdoor shops.

In the past it would have been Foyles in Tottenham Court Road or Selectadisc in Berwick St (before it closed). Never really liked gawping at bike shops, strangely.

Now probably Uniqlo for clothing or Lidl/Aldi for groceries and random bits & bobs. Especially when visiting different parts of the country and picking up unfamiliar beers/cakes.

Keen to check out a Decathlon sometime though.

I used to love Muji, but haven’t been in years – are they still worth a visit?

James Bowden and Son, Chagford, Devon. THE hardware shop – x2 shops on 3 floors. If they don’t have it, it doesn’t exist!

James Bowden & Son

Mancunians of a certain vintage may remember Robinsons Records just over Blackfriars Bridge in Salford, a record shop with its own no frills cafe.

Costco.. fuel ..premium diesel for less than ” normal ” pump prices elsewhere..
Kirkland signature..bog rolls wider & softer than premium brands ..
The butchery department is fantastic ..
Huge fresh cream scones
Spring water for pennies..and the biggest pizzas I’ve ever clapped eyes on ..
Locally ..The Country Store in Bellingham aka Broons Bits..a hardware store selling all sorts.. If they haven’t got it ..they can get it seems to be their motto..

Local charity shops for me undies.