This is one of, if not the most established dry cleaners in Bangor and has an amazing reputation…read more They have been up and running for around 20years and recently moved to this location from its long term home in Bloomfield Shopping Centre. This place really is a one stop shop for dry cleaning, key cutting, engraving, curtains, duvets, shoe repair, alterations, ironing service and a carpet cleaner for hire. I've had to get my shoes fixed or a key cut a few times and have always been given a good, friendly service at a good price. Top Stuff.

Marlowe Cleaners is a good old fashioned dry cleaners, not the type like in Eastenders where you…read moreoperate the machines by yourself but more of a commercial cleaners. They have been established for years and years but have only recently moved to their swanky location on the Balloo Road. This location makes Marlowe dry cleaners even more convenient. I recently left a suit in to be dry cleaned and was in and out in no time. You can literally park at the door and there is now a cash machine in the neighbouring Centra so you can pop in there grab some cash a pick up your clean clothes from Marlowe. The service is rapid and the staff are excellent, really well organised and polite, they always have your garments to hand on collection.

Yet another of Bangor's many, many chairty shops and a pretty standard one. Its based right on high…read morestreet which means that it is easy to get to and parking usually isn't too bad., If you can't get parked right outside you can pop to the car park behind Donegan's bar or it isn't too long a walk from the large Marina car park. The staff in this wee shop are friendly enough and its nice and big so there is plenty of stuff in here if you enjoy having a bit of a root around for clothes, books, old vinyl or general nick-nacks. Its always nice to shop here because you know the money is going to an excellent cause and its a great place to recycle old clothes and be safe in the knowledge that you are doing your bit.

Being one of the more unusual charity shops in Bangor (ie. the fact that it's a British Red Cross…read moreshop, rather than the actual shop itself), I decided to pop in and have a look. It was pretty busy on this sunny day, and despite the shop being a huge one, there wasn't a whole lot of room for a look. I nearly ended up treading on someone's toes (literally) whilst having a duke through the lady's clothes section, which proved to have nothing of interest anyway, although there was a rather good selection. As for the rest of the shop, well, it was distinctly average in charity shop terms. Not that average is bad, and I'm not too sure what a brilliant charity shop would look like, but still, there wasn't anything too exciting to be found....just the usual CDs, books, furnishings and other bits and bobs. So, my sister and I left it there (as in we decided to leave...we weren't going to be carrying a charity shop around with us anytime soon), and decided to go on our merry way. And that was that. I would definitely call back another, less busy day to check out the stock again. This Red Cross shop definitely has a whole lot of potential.

This is a typical charity shop which has all the usual bric-a-brac, clothing, shoes and music. ]…read more Unfortunately their window display leaves alot to be desired. If this was changed and modernised I believe the shop would probably get alot more business. In store there are alot of items which are sell-able and would prove successful on a window mannequin but there just aren't being used effectively. The shop is poky and can feel a little congested but this is in part due to the amount of clothes on the rails. The volunteer staff are very helpful and do all they can to accommodate your needs. They even keep items over to the end of day or a more suitable time if you're in a hurry, heading to work or have prior engagements.

Again for my recent penchant for various types of charity shop I thought it was apt to complete the…read moretrifecta. I've been here a few times in the past looking for that addition to a last minute Halloween costume. They always turn out a disaster and never quite get finished as of course I have a habit of sorting out what I need at the very very last minute. The last time I called in (albeit quite some time ago) I had to have a look around at some of the oddities on offer. You wouldn't believe the things charity shops have, I suppose they'll essentially take anything from anyone. I found ladies hat which was very similar to something an officer in the SS would have gone to work in. I did however manage to find a battered copy of Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species. A book I've never read but have been planning to for a long time. That said I still haven't but at least I own it... and all for a paltry quid.

My first experience with this place was not a good one. When I was a little younger I brought down…read moresome stuff to get clean for my parents and the service was extremely expensive and the staff I found a little rude. But recently I had to get a suit dry cleaned for a formal in super quick time so I bit the bullet and called in to Ascot. The service I got this time was much better. The staff were friendly and I got my suit done to a high standard at a pretty decent price. I think it was just under a tenner to get it done so I was happy enough with that.

Fantastic service and very well mannered staff. A joy to shop here it brightens up your day.read more

One of what seems like 2 million mobile phone shops in Bloomfield Shopping Centre but certainly one…read moreof the most laid back and welcoming with really excellent service being given any time I have had to go in here with my sister or my friends who have an 02 phone. I have been on Orange for as long as I remember and have called in here a couple of times to price going onto 02 and always found the staff polite, friendly, helpful and non intrusive. I have never went on 02 just because the deals never quite worked out for me but thats not the staffs fault. It is located in Bloomfield Shopping Centre so its easy to get to with plenty of free parking and ATMs available.

I love to buy, well, stuff, you know? But there comes a time you've got to rationalise,…read morestreamline, dare I say it - get rid of some of your stuff. I give unwanted things to charity shops, but I also recycle and regularly use Palmerston Road Recycling Centre (where else do you get full recycling facilities and art installations made from rubbish?). The staff in the centre are great - they are there to step in with anything you might need a hand with. They smile when it's raining and still smile when you nearly run over their toes in your car. You can bring everything here - the usual bottles, paper, car batteries but you can also bring spectacles, old books, clothes that are sent on for re-using by charities in Northern Ireland and the developing world. You should really make the effort, less stuff to landfill, someone else getting some benefit, you also get to feel good about yourself. You also get more room at home to fill with, well...more stuff!

It feels like entering a high security military complex when entering this dump with automatic…read morebarriers in and out, and all eyes locked onto your car as soon as you drive in. First impressions are wrong though and the staff ask you if you need help and let you know which skip you should put whatever rubbish you have in to. Id tend to use carryduff or ballygowan dumps most but if I'm only dumping my own rubbish ill save my petrol and use Palmerston road.

Actually the window display in this charity shop was originally what caught my eye. Nestled in the…read moremorass of the usual books and clothes was a copy of Fleetwood Macs "Rumors" on vinyl...Judging by the look of it it was old and well thumbed but it piqued my curiosity enough to go in and check out the other stuff. There was a small but good book selection, plenty of contemporary fiction alside the usual celebrity biogs and the like. Trawling through the vinyl I found a nice little pocket of some classic 70's rock some kind soul had passed on. Peter Frampton, Reo Speedwagon even a Kiss album popped up. They were in pretty good nick vinyl-wise and the sleeves were too badly beaten up. They were priced at £2.50 each but the lady kindly gave me 6 of them for £10, maybe she was glad to see the back of them. As with any of these kind of shops, it's always a lucky dip requiring a bit of time and effort. My luck was certainly in that day. Pros: Friendly staff. Potential for hidden treasures. Cons: Cluttered.

Unlike the SVDP shop on the Antrim Road, the one on the Ormeau is small, cluttered and quite poky…read morelooking. Don't let that put you off though - I certainly don't. When charity shops are a bit pokier and messier than the shiny clean Oxfam type places, they're always cheaper too. This shop is a bit hit and miss clothes-wise, but there's a good selection of books and music, and when I was trying to kit out my new house a few months ago I was very pleased to find a massive framed Dali print here for just six quid - the frame alone would have cost at least £40 in a proper frame shop. Certainly worth a look - you might only get something here one time in ten visits, but oh my it will be a bargain.

This charity shop brought to you by the people of Marie Curie is one of the best in town. It's…read moredecor is modern and the shop is laid out in such a fantastic way that you wouldn't believe it was a charity shop. The stock is constantly changed which encourages you to always pop in whenever your near by. The one bad thing I'd say about the shop is that there isn't much of a selection for the males of the world. Yes I know that the most regular customers to charity shops are old women or an girl studying art desperate to look unique by dredging through the past but come on!