Sadly, most of the Faith shoe shops have bitten the dust in these hard economic times but the…read morebranch in Coleraine (within Tempest) is still going and seems to be selling off all the bits and pieces which are left over from other stores. There are some absolute howlers which have clearly been lying in shoe stock rooms for the last 8 years but there are also some fab bargains too. Particularly if you have very small feet or big flippers like mine. Winter boots for about £30, flip flops for a fiver and strappy sandals for £10. I managed to score a pair of wedges from this year's stock for £20 instead of the full price of 55. I always liked Faith so it seems a bit sad to scoop up the last remaining bargains, especially since you know that the staff serving you will probably be out of a job sometime soon. Just make sure you really like the shoes you buy as there are no refunds.

Pretty sparse place in an empty town where it's difficult to find parking. It had a TK Maxx, a…read moreBishop's department store, a ground floor coffee place but I took one look at the pastries that put me off and £3.75 for a cappuccino is taking the proverbial - it was empty of customers so it's not hard to join the dots about why. Signs pointed to an upstairs food court and this was a first as I found a food court with not a single food outlet. Boys oh! Would I return to Coleraine - definitely no. There was a funny episode though; they have a unique accent in the area and my wife was in Boots the chemist buying No 7 and the assistant told her to go on her ape. Your ape go on your ape. It took a minute to realise it was her app that she meant. Children are calked wee'ans! Man Sur, boys oh, boys adear, as they routinely say in this neck of the woods.

This is Coleraine's answer to the Tower Centre! Doesn't quite meet the standard but it is getting…read morebetter. Tempest is probably the best shop in it but only if you are skinny! TK max is not bad if you don't mind rummaging about. I was in last week one day and tried on a lovely pair of black leather Italian boots but my hubbie was with me ( he doesn't appreciate my need for so many shoes and boots) so I hid the boots in amont the big sizes and went back the next day and bought them. Couldn't believe they were still there. Sneaky or what! The new larger New Look has certainly improved things too. They could do with something a little different to entice visitors in though!

I always used to give Bishops a wide berth, dismissing it as middle aged and frumpy. Wrong and…read morewrong. Bishops actually has some of the funkiest shoes I've seen in a long time. Yes, they do stock sensible and comfortable styles for men and women but on the first and to the side of the ground floor you'll find shoes to make you drool. The first floor houses the Italian Room which is full of expensive looking, fashionable shoes. So no surprise then that they are expensive. But it's definitely a case of getting what you pay for as these bad boys are unusual and very very classy. I have my eye on a matching bag and shoes. Now there's something I never thought I'd say. These are pale grey mock croc, silver cone heels and a platform sole. The bag is a sleek evening clutch which calls my name every time I see it. On the ground floor, B2 is where you'll find the really trendy shoes from labels like Ted Baker, Irregular Choice and Fly London. Yum. The kids section is also well worth a visit (but not in the last 2 weeks of August when it is jammed with kids, harassed staff and hysterical mothers). Lots of Timberland, Geox, Lelly Kellies etc. Bishops is a traditional family owned shoe emporium (they still hand write your receipts) which has moved with the times. Well done them.

I have read a few of the reviews for Bishops and hate to agree that they do sometimes 'look down…read moretheir nose' at some people and rush to help those who they think will spend plenty. I assume this is because they are working on commission and you can't really blame them if you are only spending 50 quid and they have the chance to serve someone who will spend 100's! Taking that all into account they do stock an impressive range of shoes and handbags - when I go in I am in shoe heaven!

Moores is a traditional kind of small department store which has successfully managed to move with…read morethe times. It still retains the genteel air of an older department store, with plenty of clothes that only men and women of a certain age would wear. However, there is also lots of fashion and homewares which young and young at heart shoppers will love. There's everything from make up - Clarins and Clinique - to Canterbury rugby gear; funky costume jewellery to beautiful scented candles. Moores also has an Accessorise and Monsoon concession, a toy shop and a lovely café. The café sells only home made food that tastes how it should do and is always very busy so you might find a bit of a queue. On the top floor are kids clothes and also a toy shop which is well stocked with lego, dolls, games and jigsaws. So you can always bribe the kids with a pocket money price toy if they behave while you browse on the other two floors. They have also recently opened a Bear Factory where you can create your own bear. You can see the stuffing being churned around inside a big machine, which I find a little freaky but the kids love it.

I love Moore's. The quality of their clothing is great. They also do lovely shoes especially Jane…read moreShilton range. They have a monsoon section as well as some french connection and esprit. There are also perfumes and accessories downstairs in the mens department. Overall a great store.

Heatons is a small department store which sells a staggeringly wide range of goods, from toys to…read moretrousers and shoes to sugar bowls. Some of the stuff falls into the category of things you didn't even know you needed until you see them. Students will love the household section, with its brilliantly priced cutlery and crockery, bins, door mats and duvet covers. You really will find it hard to beat these prices. Some of the ranges are really quite worthy of even the most fussy home owners (that would be me), like the funky mugs, bowls and teapots with chickens on and the opulent fabric flowers which cost a fortune in other shops. The towels and bed linen are also pretty good quality for the rock bottom prices being charged. I have scored quite a few bargains in the toy and book sections and in summer they have great inflatables and ball games for the beach. The only department which doesn't float my boat is the clothes section. Frumpy, unfashionable and with far too much man made fibre going on. Buying clothes on a small budget doesn't have to mean a style bypass people.

Great for kids clothes at cheap prices, they wear well and wash well. They also have a good…read moreselection of homewares all at great prices. They have a great selection of toys and christmas decorations from august time onwads. Although staff can be a little hard to find on the shopfloor they are very helpful.

I used to walk past Couples without even looking in as I thought it somehow gave off a 'middle age'…read morevibe. How wrong was I? Yes, there are some clothes that only ladies of a certain age should consider, but Couples is also jammed with lovelies from St Martins, Desigual and lots of little independent labels. You can spend as much or as little as your budget allows as some of the ranges are very affordable while others are for special occasions only. Even the cheaper ranges look more expensive than they actually are as they're unusual and not what you'll see in chain stores. Couples also has some funky shoes and if you've got a wedding to go to, they have fascinators and wraps too. Definitely worth a visit if you want something just a little bit different to all the other fashion dollies on the high street.

I love this shop................i particularily like the way the assistants suggest things to try…read moreon, but then leave you to it. They are not at all pushy, and also very honest. I have worn everything I ever bought here, and I cant wait to see what has come in for winter 2011.Going up North coast for weekend, and a definite trip into couples

If like me you never have a huge amount of time to shop for clothes and shoes, then Tempest is your…read morefriend. It's a great concept of putting lots of fashion labels under one roof. You've got: Miss Selfridge Exhibit Warehouse La Senza Faith Oasis Quiz Fuse So, a last minute invitation and nothing to wear but not a lot of time? Get yourself into Tempest. Of course, each shop is small so you won't find the same ranges as you will in full size branches but there is always plenty of choice. Any little niggles? Just that you have to pay for pieces from each label at their own separate till. So if you happen to make up an outfit of a top from Warehouse, jacket from Oasis and trousers from Miss Selfridge, you have to pay in three separate places. It's only a little niggle. I still love Tempest.

This is the type of shop you go to buy your granny their Christmas present. But believe it or not…read morethey occasionally have the odd nice jumper I would look at! I only know this because I go to look for things for my elderly relatives I am not a regular - honest!! They do stock some nice Christmas gifts too. The shop always seems to be busy so they must be doing something right. The staff are helpful although their uniforms could do with being jizzed up a bit. All in all a bit old fashioned.