Debenhams Browns of Chester is the only Debenhams store to retain its' original branding, Browns of…read moreChester. It has been owned by Debenhams since 1976, yet the store is fairly old being founded in 1780, while it doesn't seem to compare to the older department stores in London, it still is a fairly nice branch, you can enter the store through street-level or through the Grosvenor Shopping Centre. The store is pretty old and you can tell that through shopping inside, they have random sets of steps and ramps all over, so it isn't just one straight/flat level, so do be careful where you're walking to avoid tripping. They had a huge clearance sale on my visit, due to Debenhams' facing difficulties and having to close many of their stores, including this one, I still found many of their prices to be high even after the discount, I found the promotional offers to be inconsistent and it was hard to tell what item costs what as each part of the store/product range would have a different % off. The store did seem a little messy, but it did have some good products overall and it is nice to see they haven't ignored the history, it's a shame to see this store earmarked for closure as although it isn't perfect, it is and remains a nice addition to the town centre. 3*

This is a large department store where you can find really gorgeous bags, shoes, make up and…read moreperfume on the first floor and loads and loads of clothes on the second floor. This place really is fantastic for womens clothes - like debenhams it has all the usual brands such as Jane Norman and Oasis, and it has a great underwear section with huge variety of pretty knickers. It also has a wedding section with loads of higher quality dresses. Of course these come with a higher price tag that the high street stuff that can be found there but this is where I would come to look for something to wear for a special occasion.

Now called the House of Fraiser, this is a good department store.There is about 3 or 4 levels to…read morethe store. On the top level is the cafe, which always serves lovely food at reasonable prices, there is quite a big seating area so it is quite easy to get a table. They stock well know brands for men, women and children, also they sell shoes and homeware items.

A great old style department store where you can lose a few hours. The handbag ranges include…read moreRadley and the prices are in line with others. the cosemtic counters are always happy to give free advice and make overs. There are a number of designer type clothing bits, with Mexx and Oasis for the younger lady and some more older type womenswear upstairs. the cafe is ok. There cards and stationary is good and there is a good selection of jewellery - although mainly costume

The QVC store is based on the lower level of the Charles Darwin Shopping centre, unless you know…read morewhere the shop is you could easily miss it. The store sells the returns and over stocks from the popular QVC shopping channel. It could almost be described as a santas grotto as you dont always know what your going to get. The prices are excellent, the quality is the same as you would be purchaseing from the QVC channel. If the item in store is a particulr bargain then the store does limit the item to a maximum of 3 per person. t

The QVC shop does require a certain knack to getting anything out of it. You will need to have a…read morehuge rummage, things are often dumped on shelves or in brown boxes which gives the effect that store may be going out of business, but rest assured that is not the case. It sells anything that has been overstocked or hasn't sold on the QVC shopping channel and I know some people have good wonderful bargains out of there althoguh it is possible to get things cheaper elsewhere so is best if you know what prices you can get elsewhere.

This store closed down in the Spring of 2022 (I've reported this to Yelp but I don't think they…read moreupdate listings for place in North Wales any more?). A new M&S store has since been opened on the Parc Llandudno Retail Park.

There are two Marks and Spencer in Llandudno situated just a few feet from each other. One is food,…read morewith Ladieswear upstairs and the other is Menswear and Children. the extensive food department here in Marks and Spencers means you can always find the latest foods on offer, the shelves are never empty. The staff are always very helpful and polite. They also do a food ordering and pick up in store service

Quite a large department store with loads of different departments to suit yourself and your home…read more The prices are quite high but the products are of good quality. There is a multi storey car park provided.

The cafe upstairs in Fred Winter has really loveely food (and that includes the vegetarien…read moreoptions). the man and lady that run the show are lovely! They really make you feel welcome. But beware if one of the young 'n's serves you! They forgot our order meaning we had to wait over half an hour for a sandwich and when they brought it it was the wrong stuff as they had obviously just made it up to cover us the fact they forgot the write it down! Nice food though.

A History of Fred Winter Ltd (https://sites.google.com/site/fredwinterltd)…read more Fred Winter was a 23 year old Suffolk man who described himself as a draper and auctioneer when he opened his first store on the 25th June 1858. The store was located at 17 and 18 High Street Stratford Upon Avon, and sold general drapery, haberdashery and high quality outfitting for gentlemen. By 1881 Frederick, his wife and a family of five daughters and three sons, shop assistants Clara Cowles, Frank Gibbons, William Potter and James Thornber, and two servants Mary Lively and May Morris, lived above the shop in what is today Marlow's restaurant. This was to be Stratford first real department store [the Shipston sheep farmer JC smith didn't open his store, now Debenhams, until 1870] and was a huge success not only with the towns growing population but also with customers from far and wide as is the case today. Frederick Winter died in 1897 aged 62 leaving the running of the business to his 31 year old son Fred. Fred was a skilful retailer and businessman who by 1908 had incorporated the spacious premises at 14 High Street and turned it into a thriving business. In March 1917 Fred bought the freehold to Reynolds grocery store at 30 and 31 High Street and for the next seven years the company operated from both sides of the street selling everything from reels of cotton, luggage, straw boaters to Aquascutum coats. The lease holds of 14, 16, 17 and 18 High Street were relinquished in 1924 and the Fred Winter store operating solely from 30-31 High Street, became a limited company. By this time Mr Fred Winter had become a local dignitary serving as Mayor on more than one occasion and was responsible with 'Marie Corelli' in uncovering and restoring many of the famous half timbered buildings in Stratford. He died aged 71 in 1941. The business then passed to his 43 year old son Frederick Charles [Eric] Winter who instigated many innovative retailing changes plus the modernisation and enlargement of the store with the building of Bell Court in the 1970's including a large modern extension on the back of the existing Fred Winter Ltd Frontage in High Street. Frederick Brian Winter, the great grandson of the founder took over the business in 1973 and under his skilful guidance achieved unrivalled success over the next 25 years. By the early 1990's Brian's son Guy Winter was in the business and the store became renowned for selling an ever increasing range of merchandise that included furniture, carpets, furnishing fabrics, dress fabrics haberdashery ladies fashion, bed linen, gifts, china and glass. By the late 1990's Bell Court had become run down and a decision was made to build a brand new store behind an existing building in Henley Street. The large and stylish building was completed in 1999 and has undoubtedly become Stratford's premier store. After Brian Winter's retirement a few years ago the company is now under the overall direction of Guy Winter. Steve Newman

This was once Beatties, the tradtional department store in the heart of Birkenhead; to be fair,…read moreother than the name, not very much has changed: the place looks a little more modern, there are a few new departments under the same roof and the prices are about the same. I think most people know what to expect with House of Fraser: posh shops, most selling clothes, others furniture, electricals, gifts, homeware, beauty. I always come here for my make up as they have an Elizabeth Arden counter which is usually cheaper than Boots. I think the cafe is lovely. I used to visit with my nan when it was still called Beatties and we loved it. It's still as good, if not better: the furniture is more comfortable for a start and the place seems a lot brighter. There is a nice atmosphere in here, the cafe is spotless and very appealing, actually one of few available in Birkenhead offering such surroundings. The menu is quite extensive and offers great hot and cold food, all very fresh. It's a touch expensive but I'd pay it to avoid BB's or the alternative Sayers!

Outstanding service from the staff at House of Fraser, Birkenhead. In particular I want to praise…read moreRabina and the rest of the team at Phase Eight who worked tirelessly to help me find a particular dress I wanted for my son's wedding. The shop has a lovely calm and friendly atmosphere. Pat

Love the convenience of the café. John Lewis has always provided the best and delivery services and…read moreinstallation for all the appliances. This particular visit was for curtains. One star off because while there are many sizes and styles listed online, the stores usually only carry one or two of each variety leading you to have to purchase them online and have arranged for either pick up in store, or home delivery. So it is best to use the store to inspect the individual items first before purchasing, but you might end up going online to order them anyway. Prices were excellent as always and delivery was free and of course John Lewis has a wonderfully large parking lot. That is also free of charge. For online pick up or Customer Service head around to the parking behind the store and enter from the rear entrance.

Despite what my husband may think I'm not a big fan of shopping and spending time in mammoth…read moreshopping centres and hot, stuffy department stores where the exit is nowhere to be seen (think the Father Ted lingerie department episode) puts the fear of God into me. However, needs must and sometimes shopping can't be avoided so if this is the case I want somewhere that will make it as easy as possible. I like this branch of John Lewis as it's easily accessible by road (just off the M60 and Handforth bypass) with plenty of parking, making it super easy to pull up and head straight in. It's pretty big, spread over 3 floors, but still doesn't feel like it swallows you up and everything is very easy to find. It's also very neat and tidy which is pretty important to me as I hate it when a shop is in total disarray (think the hellhole that is Primark) as it just makes the whole shopping experience more stressful than it should be. I've always found the staff to be approachable and friendly and will happily dispense advice on the best toaster or coffee machine for your buck, if you so desire. John Lewis is definitely one of the more premium department stores (not quite Harvey Nics but definitely not Debenhams) so the products and prices obviously mirror this but if you are after gifts or items that are of a higher quality then it's a brilliant option. Another major plus point for JL is that if you sign up for their loyalty card online they send you vouchers for free coffee and cake every month - this sweetens the shopping experience no end!

A nice department store in Solihull, I find myself visiting less and less now because John Lewis is…read moreusually where I park my car so will always walk through JL first. Beatties does have a beautiful Christmas display and sells a good range of toys on the top floor. I had a make-over done here a while back and the sales staff were really helpful on the counter and kept a card with my details on for me, if I wanted to go back and get some more products. Towards last Christmas they had either a 10 or 20% off day and I managed to get a lovely perfume set for cheaper than anywhere else.

A good department store with a good mixture of thingson sale. Good range of clothing, toys,…read morehousehold items etc. Just a shame there is no Bobby Brown counter! Very easily accesable from Beatties carpark direct via a bridge linking the two so very easy to pop into. Well laid out and easy to understand and helpful staff who are more than happy to help you out. Also a good range of food and drink on offer with a proper restaurant on the top floor and a more like cafe style snack bar on the first floor. Highly recomended and convenient to get to.