WHSmith seem to have stores everywhere these days, and that's why on a recent trip to Stoke…read moreon-Trent I knew I'd find one! This is quite a large store, even with a Post Office at the back and a good selection of stationary. As with most places in Stoke, I feel a review for this place is really needed, as they hasn't been one for over 7 years. It is actually quite an unusual time to be reviewing this store with its' closure confirmed in April, with a likely relocation on the cards, although one hasn't been confirmed, which is a shame, as based on my visit today, this seems to be one of their better stores. This store is a good size, and isn't too big either, it has a decent range of books, a good range of stationary and parcel equipment as well as maths sets, tutor books etc. The staff here seemed okay, they didn't really stand out, but they seemed polite. The store seemed quiet on my visit, with small numbers of staff and customers in the store, They had one self-service till, which makes me think as this store didn't really seem busy, maybe they are right to be shutting up shop soon, as they are not getting the customers in. It's in a mid-floor position in the Potteries center too, so it is in a good location and I feel too large of a store ruins the vibe a little, this store is slightly nicer and more modern than some of my local stores in Middleton,Manchester and The Manchester Arndale too. It's a nice store, with good selection and average staff and in a good location, it is just a shame about the pricing of certain items, but still deserves a solid 3!

W H Smiths is a big open store with great access to for disabled people and pushchairs…read more They have recently put the post office at the back of the store. The shop sells books, dvds, music, calenders, diaries and magazines. The store is always spotless. The staff are friendly, polite and helpful.

Gerard's News is situated on Aigburth Road, close to Lark Lane and the local Tesco store…read more The shop is quite small but it is well stocked, providing goods and services such as sweets, drinks, magazines, cigarettes and tobacco, stickers, dvd and video hire, photocopying and newpapers. They offer neswpaper delivery to the local area and are more than happy to organise a to put away a specific magazine for you and order it specially if it is not something they usually have in stock. The staff are very friendly and help give the shop a community feel. They are always happy to help and greet you with a smile. This is a great little shop.

This is a good little newsagents. One of the tried and true where you will be hard pressed to not…read morefind what you are looking for. (Except a pen--I still don't understand why newsagents don't sell pens!) You can find all your favourite snacks, chocolate, cold drinks, etc here and a decent selection of newspapers and magazines.

Waterstone's in Altrincham town centre is probably one of my favourite stores within the town…read morecentre especially after the closure of the Carphone Warehouse store which was virtually opposite this one. It is a fairly large and modern store and it does stand out more than most within the town centre's shopping street, especially with the dark nights drawing in through these cold winter months and it is one of the larger stores on George Street anyway. It does shut early but this is common in the town centre and I did find the store again to be a little understaffed considering I did visit at quite a busy time (Saturday, the run-up to Christmas). 3* - Nice book-store for a big town, obviously it is a chain and I feel a little uneasy about paying higher prices at a chain compared to online retailers unless it is at an independent book-store, again this store doesn't compare to larger branches in larger towns and shopping centres but still it isn't a bad alternative if you don't fancy heading into Manchester from Alty.

This newsagents on Aigburth Road is probably not quite as well stocked/big as Aigburth News but…read morethey do have an ATM machine outside which gives them bonus points. They carry the usual in newspapers and magazines, food, snacks, drinks, etc.

This branch of WH Smith's is situated in Liverpool ONE. It is bright, clean and air conditioned,…read morewhich is a godsend in the summer. Downstairs they have books and magazines although the range is not as big as their other store on Church Street. The staff will order a book for you if they do not have it in stock. Upstairs they have a good range of stationary for school, college, university and just general use. They have branded ranges such as Hello Kitty, and their own budget range of stationary. There is also a Post Office branch on this floor which is now the only branch in the city centre, the nearest branch being in the business district. It is only small but has lots of cashier desks which are all open when it is busy. This is a small but perfectly formed store which is excellent.

Since the Paradise Street Project in 2008, WHSmith was another one of those shops which transferred…read moreto the new Liverpool One shopping area. I have always been a shopper of WHSmith and I always will be despite the fact that I think it was more conveniently located back in 2008 on Church Street (now where River Island is). Its current location serves two small floors with the Post Office a trek upstairs in the same building. Most of the time I need to visit Smith's or the Post Office for some reason or another whether it's to use their photo-me vendor or to buy stamps. Personally, I feel this is a terrible move for WHSmith and the Post Office as both have decreased in space and situated further away from the main walkways. They have attempted to "kill two birds with one stone" but for me, this has backfired. Their new format has certainly taken time to get used to.

WHSmith is one of the most famous bookshops in the world (they're mentioned in Monty Python's 'Book…read moreShop Sketch' for crying out loud!) so it's a bit disappointing when you find out just what tat is on the shelves here. Maybe tat is the wrong word. All the books here are of a very high quality. The covers are pristine, the photography is excellent and the general feel of each book is akin to lifting the Holy Grail. It's just a shame the actual content is terrible. It's a basic fact that 904% of all books published today have their origins in television. They're all either companion guides to the latest reality cack, cookery books from smarmy TV chefs or turgid autobiographies from washed-up soapstars. The stationery is still great though. I could buy it all day before realising nothing I do in life necessitates the purchasing of stationery, sadly.

Sure Smiths is good for books, but they only have a limited selection and a lot of these are either…read moreTV, cookery or chick lit based. With the occasional crime section spliced in! But what Smith's are really good at is stocking magazines on every subject available to humanity. 'Treasures of the Earth'. 'Surf UK', 'Gun Collector', 'True Crime', 'the Beano', 'TV Weekly'. These are just some of the titles that litter the shelves in most Smith's outlets. They also sell a range of confectionary, sometimes including 'Toblerone', which one would normally associate with airports or shit holidays! I'm surpised this shop is still going after Woolworths went down the Swanny! However, fair play to them as they seemed to have affiliated with the Post Office now, meaning you can get your 'True Crime' mag, your Toblerone and your travel insurance all under one roof!

Staff are helpful, has a post office inside so can get pretty busy at times (Lets pray they don't…read moretake this post office away!) Sells everything you'd expect in a newsagents and has a paypoint access too

This is a handy newsagents just inside the entrance of Wilmslow Railway Station, ideal for grabbing…read morea paper or drink before dashing onto a train. Rasool Entreprises is located just opposite the ticket booth and is really small - only a few feet squared. Nevertheless, there are all the major papers in stock and plenty of confectionary, crisps (always McCoys for me) and drinks. Normally I'm in and out with my Guardian in less than 30 seconds. Excellent.