A typical department store in the heart of Nottingham's square, Debenham's is the one-stop shop for…read moremost family needs. With electronics, housewares, perfumes, cosmetics, clothing and shoes, you can do it all here, as long as you don't mind the slightly premium price. My favourite thing about this Debenham's is the Benefit makeup counter. Being a California girl, I prefer Benefit to other cosmetics, and this Benefit counter was just as good. The manager of the Notts Benefit was a really sweet yet efficient pretty lady in her early 20s. I had a budget (boo), but was pretty specific about what I was lookign for -- yet vague enough to need to test nearly every product. You know, a typical idiotic consumer. With tons of efficiency, friendliness and patience, she took me through the range of products I was looking for, offered suggestions but didn't oversell, and left me ultimately with two modest purchases I didn't regret. This Debenham's is quite large, and has a great selection of women's clothing, particularly well stocked on swimsuits and summer clothing in spring (hurrah for ice cream lolly bikinis in style of Katy Perry!). It has a cafe/restaurant on the top floor with decent coffees and cappucinos for the weary credit-card wielder.

The Debenhams shop in Nottingham is very 'traditional' and it may be quite surprising for people…read morevisiting the city. It is located right in the centre of Nottingham on the Market Square opposite the fountain. I personally believe the shop could do with a major re-vamp as it has started to look very tired in recent years. I do not agree with other reviewers comments that it's like a little Harrods, it's no where near as good. They do offer a wide range of products and very often have attractive sales on that can save you quite a bit of cash. I recommend the homeware department and have picked up a fair few bargains in there over the years.

This is a beautiful shopping centre within the walls of the council house itself. Excellent shops…read morefor those with large, deep pockets - fashion and designer shops along with some more standard high street retailers, there's always something for you to stop and have a look at. There are a couple of galleries, which always have interesting stuff in, although the prices make me run away usually! At Christmas, they have the prettiest, largest Christmas tree in Nottingham, towering up at the cross point of the arcade. It really is worth a visit in December, and I make a point of using the arcade as a cut through - it also gets you out of the wind and rain for a few minutes!

Home of some of the higher end high street stores (Karen Millen, Warehouse), make up and more…read morefashion shops, a usually quiet little Exchange if you have a bit of money to splurge on some quality stuff

When I heard CostCo had opened a few branches in the UK, I nearly lost it ! It brought back…read morememories of the USA .. Sweet sweet memories ! CostCo is a large retail store selling items mostly in bulk from toothpaste, drinks, crisp, cereal to singular items such as perfumes/colognes, clothes, TV, jewellery etc. If you want to waste money, go to CostCo! I went to the one in Derby and although it had many items and it was a reasonably humongous store, it's nothing compared to the USA especially the free samples! There is also a Pizza Parlour where one can have freshly made pizza made by CostCo staff. I've heard they're good but never tried any so when you do , let me know! There are too many good things to say about CostCo but that'll fill a few pages. However, the negative is that it's members only and one has to be one of the following as far as I can remember : Occupation: Bank/Finance Education Local government / police force / fire and rescue service Civil service / armed forces Post office Medical health service such as the NHS Airline Insurance Qualified as : Certified or chartered Accountant Doctors / opticians / dentist / pharmacist Chartered architect Chartered engineer / civil etc Chartered surveyor Individual membership costs around £30 including VAT whilst Trade costs £24 a year. The CostCo Gold card would be double the prices at a slight discount. Note: * Be wary of the VAT as it's not included in the prices however, the total sum is always summarised near the product. * The owner and primary user of the membership card can take two people in with them when shopping at a time. If it's children, they have to be under 16 and can go in as two pairs.

Costco is great, and Costco Derby is probably my favourite. It's got everything you would except…read morefrom a Costco but because it seems to get less busy, it's a much less stressful experience than say, Costco Glasgow! Don't forget your hot dog when you leave!

The East Midlands Designer Outlet formerly known as McArthur Glen is located next to M1 junction…read more28, near to Sutton-in-Ashfield. It's a reasonably-sized shopping centre, which is partly under cover and geared towards stores which offer predominantly discounted goods (though the shops are somewhat more upmarket than Poundstretcher et al). There is plenty of car parking, but public transport options are slightly limited due to the out-of-town location. Facilities are very good and the overall impression is of a well-run centre that is not overwhelming in terms of size. There is a varied mix of stores, with a bias towards clothes and gift shops. Overall, an excellent place to head for if shopping for a birthday or Christmas, though perhaps not quite large enough for a full-on Saturday shopping session!

This marks and spencer is really big so its giot a huge range of clothing for men women and…read morechildren, as well as home, beauty and food products, the food is downstairs and its quite big so they have a good range so wether you after something for your evening meal of just a few essentials its location is convient and better if going in to shop there anyway! the food can be expensive but its really good quality and tasty so it is money well spent.

Marks & Spencers is one of those places you always have to have a look in, when on a girlie clothes…read moreshop, but only now and then will something jump out at you! I think it excels more in the food selections it offers with mouth watering dishes at reasonable prices. The wines are good too with lots of them having won awards. Their underwear is a bit hit and miss with the fit of the bra's especially having gone down hill a bit (sorry lads, I'm talking to the the girlies out there now!) . I admire them for hanging in there in the high street battle though and continuing to market themselves well and rebrand to keep up trends.

There are two of these shops in the East Midlands, this one in Shepshed near Loughborough and the…read moreother in Ilkeston (Derbyshire). Both are fairly close to the M1 and have good parking. The Shepshed one is well sized and offers a good range of ladies and mens clothing. You want find cutting edge fashion in here and most of the lines are aimed at middle age upwards. However if you are after a suit/outfit for a wedding or other occasion it's well worth a visit as you can pick up some real bargains. On my last visit I saw a pretty tasty, well cut dark pin stripe suit for £30! If you are a bloke who's usually seen in jeans and t-shirt and need a budget suit for that one off occasion you can't go wrong! For the more adventurous there are an entertaining amount of almost psychedelic patterned and coloured casual jackets - great for your inner dandy'! Its also very handy for outdoor clothing, fleeces, waterproofs etc. Womenswear is not quite as exciting but my partner managed to pick up a very nice evening dress last year for £20 possibly a Klass There is also a small furniture department with some nice pieces, though the prices are not as good as the clothing. Upstairs boasts an adequate range of house and kitchen wear prices range from budget to reasonable. There is also a nicely sized cafe that serves hot meals and drinks. However like a lot of backwoods places in small towns they stop serving meals at 2pm hot sandwhiches and chips are avalible up until 4pm though. The car park is on the other side of the street to the mill so be careful when crossing!

Went to visit the branch of Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which is inside Armstrong's Mill…read more Unfortunately there is no access for people like my wife, who is confined to a wheelchair. Only 4 or 5 steps, and a small chair lift is provided for the less disabled. Come on, this is the 21st century, get a ramp fitted.

Great store this one actually has a food range and furniture on display unlike the one near the…read morevictoria centre. Loads of bargins

Nottingham has a fabulous Wilkinsons store, with toiletries and food bits near the front, and more…read morepractical stuff for the kitchen and bedroom at the back. There are plenty of offers about, though for some bits bit may be cheaper to go to Poundland or Asda. I like the fact that you can walk in and pretty much get anything practical, and it's especially useful being a student.

I may be wrong, but I think this is the only independent furniture retailer left in Nottingham…read moreafter the sad demise of Nash Interiors. I have bought bed/sofa/chairs over the years from here, and like to have a wander and window shop occasionally. It has some wonderful, quirky items and soon has me redecorating (mentally that is!). It has a huge range of carpets/rugs and flooring and an even bigger selection of fabrics. The slaes staff all know what they are talking about too!! A rarity in these days of sell it and sell it cheap! It has a coffee shop, but last time I was there it didn't even do a cappacino! So no points there, but then that isn't why you go. I thoroughly reccommend a visit. We will all be the poorer if Hopewells goes too, and it is not that much more expensive, particularly at sale time.

Superior quality independent furniture retailer with excellent ranges of the best contemporary…read moremakers. The quality of service is also excellent - we recently had hard floors fitted by Hopewells throughout the ground floor of our house and are very happy with the quality. The showroom is great for a browse, with ranges of smaller items including crockery and cutlery as well as furniture.

They've recently had a huge revamp! More food areas (almost a food court) and new shops. Some of…read morethe old favourites are still there (John Lewis, House of Fraser, etc) however there are new additions often. Car Parking is sometimes an issue however that is usually as people want to stay on the first parking level....there are 3 levels, as well as an outside upper level! However it's nothing to be overly concerned about. There is always the Victoria Bus Station as well if you prefer not to drive. There is still the indoor market on the second floor which is always fun to have a look around!

Average shopping centre, all in one so convenient, some sad food places, I used to go mostly for…read morethe Boots, Tesco, high street stores, the Pier upstairs, and to tinker around with the instruments in the music shop. Oh there is also an actual indoors market on the second floor as well!