Brighton and Lewes are both rich in these kind of establishments, but I personally feel that Lewes…read moredoes the antiques and oddities side of things so well. This place is a great case in point. The lay out and the feel of the Flea market are as you would expect, stalls and cabinets dividing up a larger space within a splendid Victorian building. Much like Snooper's Paradise or any other flea market. What I think sets this place apart is the stock they seem to keep and the prices that they sell said stock for. There's a brilliant selection not just of retro tat, but fascinating antiques most of which are on sale for the kind of money that any sensible post graduate with a little flare and taste could afford. The staff seems a little mad too, in a good way, rather than quietly shuffling around as you would expect in a standard antiques shop they talk loudly and whiter away about their social life in a way that makes you feel that you can spend a good hour or so here simply to brows. This works very much to their advantage in my opinion as I now know where to turn for any difficult birthdays or Christmases. All in all, if you're enjoying a day wandering about in Lewes or if you are just in town and have the time, this place is definitely worth a visit.

Brighton Flea Market in Kemptown is a great place to visit to wander round for 15 mins or for…read morehours, the place is full of interesting and funky items, it's the first place i go to when buying gifts, I never leave empty handed, the staff are great and always willing to help you out with whatever you are looking for, Was amazed to have my Chest Of Draws delivered the same day Check the place out....it's well worth it....

This good old-fashioned charity shop situated on Kemp Town's St James' Street is certainly not for…read moreeveryone. When comparing it with Oxfam's flashy locally designed clothes just up the road on North Street, or even with the colour co-ordinated rails of Kemp Town's neighbouring charity shops, you may well turn your nose up at this one. It's dark, dingy and disorganised. It can even smell pretty bad. However, if you're not too sneeze-prone and have a bit of time for a good rummage this place is definitely worth a visit. Although maybe don't even bother if you suffer from OCD - with its disarray of items, and seemingly no discerning judge of what makes the shelves, it is hard to resist the temptation to give The Friends Shop a thorough clean and tidy. But for the dedicatedly thrifty amongst us the prices are dirt cheap - all books are 50p for example and clothes much the same. Make a few trips, have a good rummage, and you're sure to find a bargain you'll be proud of. Well, eventually. One of Brighton's hot spots it may not be, but I feel strangely fond of The Friends Shop. It recalls those days of yesteryear before charity shops were popularized by magazines and celebrities, and thus anything vaguely nice always ransacked by an earlier bargain hunter. And with money raised supporting local hospital and healthcare facilities, at least there's one clear excuse for that 'bound to come in handy' item you end up buying.

Before charity shops caught onto the fact that they were sitting on a goldmine of retro treasure,…read moreand hiked up their prices, you could get any number of things for less than 50p. Friends however, still maintains this old school ethos or maybe no-one told them about inflation. Either way, have fun rifling through the rails as bric-a-brac drips from the cluttered walls. There is so much packed into a small space that it takes a surprisingly long time to get around it all. Best of all is that they have already concocted different fancy dress outfits from the random jumble, genius.

Abode is the perfect place to find homeware gifts for a loved one…read more Or for a loved one to find gifts for you! Situated about halfway down Kensington Gardens, it's charming boutique store that has lovely side tables, console tables, room dividers, fringe panels, floor lamps, table lamps, pigeon lights, marimekko fabrics, wall stickers, mirrors and luxury bedding. If you already have everything you need in the lounge and bedroom department, they also sell gorgeous kitchen and bath accessories from china, glasses, tea-pots and coasters to candles, soaps and towels. Don't know if they still have any in stock, but last time I went in I fell in love with the wicker bulls head and the Ibride ostrich console table.

Abode is a lovely little lifestyle boutique, which sells all sorts of fancy things for your home…read more Scented candles, velvet cushion covers, vases and more are laid out in uncluttered, attractive displays around the shop. They also sell small items of furniture, including some really classy wooden side tables and stools. Christmas is by far the best time to visit the store, as they have all sorts of beautiful decorations for your tree. They have a gorgeous selection, including gold Christmas trees and stars as well as some really beautiful glass decorations in the shape of parrots and other pretty birds. I bought a few last year in turquoise, white and gold and they really transformed my tree! In fact, they're so lovely that I've hung them up in my bedroom all year. Abode is a shop full of things you'd rarely buy yourself...quirky light fittings, gilded bird cages and some really delicate chinaware. It is almost impossible to walk around without starting a mental wish-list, making it the perfect place to start your Christmas list, whilst picking up a few gifts yourself! You can even create your wedding list at Abode! NB. Everything feels a bit delicate, so it's not a great place to bring the kids!

Lovely Jubbly has intrigued me each time I pass it on the bus. A different selection of furniture…read moreand home décor seems to be just outside the shop each day, luring me in. Well, I understand why some of the stock is put outside - the shop could not possibly contain anything else. I could barely walk through the door and assumed it was just a crowded entry way but, um, no. Things were everywhere, not categorised into any sections and leaving only the tiniest space in which to walk to the back. The best example: an end table sitting tentatively atop the jewellery case. I was nearly laughing by the time I snuck back out - I wasn't expecting such an adventure.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! Apart form anything else, I love the name, it…read moremakes me smile, every time I walk past. And its such an inappropriate name (maybe its ironic?), considering the the way the place looks! From the outside it looks dark and dingy, and sort of like it might be harbouring vampires on the inside. Walk inside and what you actually find is a big old junk shop. This is a real sort the chaff from the wheat kinda place...good luck trying to do that too, as everything is finely balanced, crammed and stacked in to every corner- move one item and it might all come tumbling down like a house of cards! Outside there is usually a selection of plant pots, mirrors, clothing and other odds and ends. Sometimes there'll be a real gem and sometimes it will literally be old junk, but everything will be reasonably priced. Inside really is worth a look too...there's books, furniture and more. An ideal place for bargain hunters who don't mind getting their hands dirty!

(The following occurred July 7th 2023 ~ 3pm) My wife…read moreJennifer and I have traveled extensively throughout the EU and UK and speak from experience when noting the stunning rudeness we experienced in Cult Hero was unprecedented, here or anywhere. It can't be a cultural misunderstanding, we've made friends and spent thousands of pounds & euros across Europe in record shops and always made new friends as a result. We take cues from Ted Lasso & Brenee Brown to leave good karma and positive first impressions in our wake when out and about. Somehow our best efforts crashed and burned at Cult Hero. We noted the 'no food or drinks' sign at the entrance and we finished our tiny paper cups of espresso before entering. Jennifer combined them into one small folded up fragment and entered, looking for a waste bin to place them in. Not seeing one she asked one of the two men behind the counter "do you have a trash bin so I may throw this away?" Without answering, he slowly reached out and took the bit of paper from her hand as if grasping a foul object and stared at her, his face communicating absolute contempt and disgust. They locked eyes for an uncomfortable span at which point Jennifer said "you could've simply said 'no' ..." I missed this and asked her why she looked so upset and intent on leaving the shop we'd made pains to arrive at. I then turned to the sallow, glaring guy and noted: "Generally my friend, it's a given you should be kind to your patrons and not ignore their queries or be rude to them." To which he leaned towards me and affected an exaggerated pantomime of appearing menacing for a span of time. "That's exactly what I'm talking about" I added, "that weird thing you're doing right now". His comrade then hissed under his breath "fa**ot". Astonished at this insult, especially in Brighton a city known for its inclusiveness, I said "Really? That's your reply?" then added "we drop hundreds of pounds in most every record shop we've entered. Congratulations on running us out." I surmise the stocky, angry and mute guy was either massively hungover, constipated or impotent (all of the above?) though that wouldn't warrant being an complete knob to a random couple. His punishment is that he has to live with himself for the rest of his life. Please: shop elsewhere. They don't deserve your money.

This gem of a music shop used to be on Duke Street nestled in between the chocolate and clothes…read morestores. Earlier this year, it moved to this bigger location on North Street - where it seems to attract more passersby. The layout and aesthetic of the shop is reminiscent of Fopp with racks of CDs, DVDs, books and vinyl all making good use of the space. There's special offers introducing new albums and re-issues for the bargain price of £5 and the rest of the stock is reasonably priced too. Rock, pop and indie lovers will find what they're looking for but there's also strong mini-sections devoted to everything from techno, drum'n'bass and electronica to R&B, soul, funk, classical music and soundtracks. The DVDs range from music to cult and world cinema flicks and the books are great too. Think Bukoswki, Burroughs and books on classic cities and design eras. If you're new to Brighton and fancy going to some gigs, they also sell tickets for most of the local venues and have lots of posters and flyers advertising forthcoming shows from Peaches to Florence and The Machine.

Lewes is truly a charity chop Graceland and with one popping up every two minutes, you really can…read morejust hop along the cobbled streets from to another. Oxfam is one of the prize outlets, filled with treasureable friends. Although a charity shop, there is a certain grace and etiquette to this one as women floated around conversing with one another. The cherry on the cake is the antique books section displayed in a beautifully old and ornate fashion-and they aren't in an unobtainable price range.

Yet another amazing charity shop- Lewes is a prize charity shop town! This Oxfam is really…read morefantastically laid out, like the Martlets at the top of the town, it looks more like a boutique when you walk in, than a charity shop. They display a pick of some of the best books on offer on a little table as you go in, and the first room is filled with lovely jwewllery, fairtrade goodies, and cards. Then the second room- all painted white- has men's clothes on the left, prsented like a man's cupboard, with some shelves of man appropriate gifts, books and bric-a-brac. On the right is a similar layout of women's clothes, prsented with a boudoir edge alongside a pretty dressing table and similar shelves filled with female orientated books and objects. All good quality second-hand clothes and items. All very lovely.

Snoopers Paradise is a must-visit for anyone coming to Brighton. Cluttered and bizarre, the shop…read morehas absolutely no apparent order, with bits and bobs scattered and hidden throughout stretching rooms full to the brim of treasures and, well, crap! There's literally something here for everyone - old furniture, jewellery, boxes of tatty old photographs, vintage clothing. Whatever it is you're looking for, Snooper's Paradise is likely to have it in some form or another. It's also likely to stock everything you're not looking for, which is why I especially love taking a stroll around here. First of all, let me state clearly - if you are not a browser, don't even come inside here. You will hate it. If you get stressed out by sales or TK Maxx, then back away slowly from Snooper's Paradise. It is, sadly, not for you. However if, like me, you love a good hoke around - you'll love this place! Many an afternoon can be spent wandering, trying on ridiculous hats, flicking through old books, pining after beautiful bits of furniture that you can't afford and that wouldn't fit in your flat anyway. It's that sort of place - you can get lost in there for hours, caught up in the wonder of it all! In terms of prices, this is obviously a very mixed bag. Some things are expensive, some things are a penny. Such is the way with big shops like this! That being said, there's always a bargain to be found in here somewhere! The staff are helpful and friendly! It always amazes me how they can find and price things in there without getting utterly frazzled by the sheer volume and randomness of the stock. Get down there and have a good rummage - you'll either love it or you'll hate it!

Snoopers Paradise seems to bring out the inner bargain hunter in everyone that steps through the…read moredoor. You walk in empty handed and somehow end up leaving half an hour later with a tin robot, a 1960s chair, an antique mirror or a pair of models legs! Situated halfway down Brighton's fantastic Kensington Gardens, its a sprawling, antique market that has dozens of different stalls offering everything from the brilliant to the bizarre. There are some cool furniture and homeware stalls, handy book and record stalls and a few inspired clothes stall selling great vintage clothes. There's also a lot of very odd bric a brac that I imagine will still be there in 2020!

99p store is a treasure cave. I scoured every shop for "storage solutions" when we first moved into…read moreour flat back March. I found these pretty coloured square boxes that fit perfectly on to my square bookcases. Even the gardening section was good fun. I bought a selection of bulbs early spring and some tools for my new garden. They even sell pots and containers. Not sure why I don't buy food or toiletries much here. I do buy my cleaning products here especially the leading brands.

I'd pay 99p to click my fingers and make this store disappear…read more I hated it that much. The lights are so bright they're almost flurescent. The stock is rubbish and the whole place smells overwhelmingly of cheap chemicals and cat food. Where as Poundland actually sell brand names at cheaper and reduced prices, this store sells pure trash. The giftware section with candles, stationary and storage boxes verges on criminal and the cleaning equipment looks and smells toxic.