Other people here have mentioned the hardware store on one side (they mix Dulux paint which is very…read morehandy by the way) but I just want to mention the garden centre which is on the separate building across the pedestrian/cycle path (which reminds me - do note the different coloured bricks and cycle images on the floor and watch out for cycles). The garden centre is pretty well stocked for peripherals, but also has a nice selection of instant colour seasonal plants as well as some fruit and herbs for kitchen gardens. Their willows and topiary are a bit old fashioned and I would recommend going to a specialist nursery for trees (try Chew Valley Trees) but this is great for a gardening hit in town.

This sprawling department store feels like one giant throwback to the 1970s. The design is dowdy,…read morecome here after going to Ikea for a real shock. You'll hear very British muzak plays over the speakers, interrupted occasionally by an announce who kindly reminds you to validate your parking when paying for your goods. Quaint to the point of being weird, and also almost always completely empty. Enough of analysis of the style of the shop, I should probably tell you if it's any good. There are sections for homeware and DIY, as well as a garden centre. You can get more or less anything for the home, a few things you didn't know you needed, and a few things no-one would ever need. There's an entire row of various things for your milkman to leave the milk in, to give you an idea of the range. It's not that cheap unfortunately. I think all there costs must go on the staff (who are very helpful), of which there seem to be a greater number than there are customers most of the time.

A bright, well laid out shop from the BHF franchise of Charity Shops, this store sits along the…read moremain Werstway precint throughfare. Double-fronted with good window displays it manages to avoid inside that 'musty' smell that often characterises second-hand shops, and has a fresh modern interior. There are quite a few bargains to be had - the store sells clothes for all ages, shoes, ladies and gents accessories, books, toys and bric-a-brac. However, clothes prices ain't as cheap as they used to be and the money-saver in me can't help thinking from time to time that an item could be had for cheaper on ebay. Although in fairness I think this of all charity shops nowadays! One range that is different to many is the brand new items they sell - both small designer bric-a-brac items, and ladies fashion jewellery. The jewellery is rather nice, although a bit pricey for my taste. I have often found that the best bargains are to be had in the second-hand books - and if you return them for re-sale once you've read them, you can feel doubly virtuous!

Wandering with the 80s lycra masses is all very well, but what if you don't want to look like a…read morecomplete high street clone?? I was intrigued by this lil' vintage shop, stuffed to the gills with alternative, retro and hippy clothes and sporting a rather lovely hand painted sign. Inside, psychedelic patterns and velvet fabrics took over my brain. Denim, leather, gorgeous 60s flat boots, strappy sandals and rows of handbags. The thing they do best is hats (though not strictly a miliners). There are loads of different types from sun visors to full on Bogart hats - get the distinguished look! The guy behind the counter will give you his opinion on which one looks good, if you should so wish! What I didn't expect was the selection of retro velvet curtains on offer (I thought it was a fashion shop!!) which they'll alter on site. They come in every colour and smell a tiny bit musty - but I guess that's part of the appeal. I ended my visit with an obligatory look through the super rummageable bargain bin full of material and random clothes/tights/beaded necklaces. Needless to say, my wallet did not leave unscathed.

Up the top end of Gloucester road and well away from much other competition from vintage clothing…read moreboutiques, Billie Jean Clothes offers a dedicated service of providing clean presentable vintage clothes. The inside of the shop is pretty small, but I've always managed to find the odd vintage shirt or t-shirt in here. A lot of my female friends rave about this shop too. They're forever picking up scarves and bags here and I've managed to find the odd present after quite a lot of rifling through. If you're looking for something in particular though, make sure to ask, as the staff are really helpful and know exactly what they have in store. This is definitely a great alternative if you have exhausted the city centre vintage shops such as Uncle Sam's and Re-psycho.

The non-food Tescos. The main sections are the clothes, homeware, electronics, kitchen stuff, CDs…read moreand DVDs, and they sell furniture and beds (look out Ikea) and there's even a Costa Coffee inside. The prices aren't outstanding though. There are some bargains to be found but for example a lot of the electronics stuff is the same price you'd find them in Dixons. Don't go expect a massive bargain frenzy. There are no 'normal' checkouts in this place- every checkout is self-service, which is fine if your shopping basket is not too big but it can end up getting chaotic if your basket has DVDs (that have age restrictions), or clothes (that have tags).

Much as I love to hate Tesco because it's taking over the world bit by bit, I have to admit that…read morethey know what they're doing when it comes to selling the public 'stuff'. right now, they have every single market cornered. If you can find something in Ikea, you can probably also now find it at Tesco Home Plusa big out of town non-food Tesco store. It's pleasant enough to walk round and browse, though the majority of things are in their catalogue and the actual store is just a fraction of what they sell. If you can leave your moral objections at the door, it's a good shop.

This is the flagship vintage store for Clic and it's got some very cool things in it; to fit with…read morethe very cool road it's on! Not only that but they stock clothes from the Fix Up Look Sharp range. This is the brain child of some amazing Bristolian fashion grads who upcycle clothes out of the clothes no-one is buying and turns them into on-trend items. You pay more than you usually would in a charity shop but the same as you would in a normal shop, except all the proceeds go to charity! Win-win! I bought a lush and completely unique Christmas jumper for just £25 and it all goes to children with cancer. I think this is the best idea I've heard about for a long time. Get on the website or down to the Gloucester Road store and support FULS, or shop online at https://fuls.clicsargent.org.uk I know I'm harping on like I work for them or something, I don't, but I just think this is an amazing way to make money for charity. And I love the clothes!

This is a brilliantly named shop for the sort of items it sells - cheap and cheerful household…read moreessentials. Need loo roll? Toothpaste? Shampoo? They've got it! And at a fraction of the supermarket price. The most handy item I've bought here is 8 Litre storage boxes at just £4 each which were an absolute lifesaver when I moved house. The shop itself is messy and unorganised but you can't have everything!

So your looking for that infamous orange handled brush, or a selection of vaious different sized…read morered storage containers, or that dog chew toy that will keep the mut entertained for hours... but wait... you only have £5.74 i your pocket and you lef your wallet at home, surely there is no where that will stock all those things for that price, think again! ok so it might be a little exageration but it is a multi purpose cheap store, that does as the pack man style logo suggest help you beat the credit crunch. I am a fan of stores like this, more so of the smaller versions, but with each one you walk inside with that sense of the unknown, you could come accross anything within 4 seconds of stepping inside... what an adventure!

This shop has been in existence, in one form or another, for over 100 years and has evolved into a…read moresleek and stylish independent gallery and shop for homeware and art. Difficult to pinpoint, the Guild offers not just ridiculously over priced kitchen accessories but also smaller trinkets and gifts, postcards and gourmet food - you know the kind, fancy jars of jelly beans and unpronounceable preserves. The various sections within this surprisingly large shop cater for the kitchens, living rooms and what I consider the best bit - kids bedrooms. Cuddly toys and traditional board games are on offer, as well as the more unusual, such as life-size green dogs made from moulded rubber. Bristol Guild is the kind of place I imagine Kirsty Allsopp would frequent if she lived round these parts, and is somewhere that should make it on to your list if visiting the area.

Bristol Guild is a small gallery crammed full of things. It's quite narrow in here but they sure…read moreknow how to get as much in as possible! Just don't visit with large bags or a clumsy personality! There are some hidden gems in here if you are willing to give the gallery some quality time, however I have never really found anything that tickles my fancy. Staff pretty much stay in the background and won't approach you unless you go up to them. They have a nice coffee shop at the back of the gallery if you have exhausted all your energy supplies. It has a nice terrace overlooking Park Street if you are able to brave the cold and rain too!

Tucked away on the corner of King Street and opposite the main Kingway Precinct, this rather cute…read morelittle shop is a bit of a tardis - much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside! It's a very traditional charity shop, unpretentious and crammed with a mixture of clothes, some very trendy 'finds' to be had, along with the basic and clothing for the more mature lady and gent. There is a small front shopfloor area, up a few steps to a larger rear area that stretches all the way back. You can find oddments of costume jewellery that always glitter delightfully, along with the usual random assortment of shoes, hats, accessories bags and books. For those unfamiliar with the area, Dorothy House is a local Hospice Charity, founded in nearby Bath just over thirty years ago, and offers care for terminally ill patients in the community.