Craig's reviews
Review of Thorntons
08 May 08, 14:51
Chocolate and Coffee 
This is the Thorntons with a coffee shop inside it. This means that it's a little bit cramped inside. If you're just there to buy chocolates it can be a wait as you wrestle with bag laden shoppers trying to get a latte.
If you're going to get a coffee then it's very nice, however if you're just after chocolate you might find it easter to go to the branch in Stall Street.
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Review of Tesco Stores
07 May 08, 19:39
Well Placed
A Tesco Extra, so you get a bit more to chose from in the way of homewares. You can pick up a telly on your way round doing your shopping and it was incredbly handy for a quick snack and the fact that I neded the toilet on my journey back along the M4.
They have plenty hof stuff here and a cafe upstairs (the stairs are at the back of the store) and it's conveniently situated off the M32
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Review of Van Heusen
07 May 08, 11:24
Shirts
Shirts at knock down prices might sound like they're cheap, but these discounted shirts are good quality and reasonably priced.
They have a good selection of work shirts in a range of fits (from wide to slim fit) The staff are helpful enough and will let you try stuff on without you feeling like you're hindering their day
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Review of House Of Fraser
07 May 08, 11:15
Watch Out For The Sales
Keep an eye out for the sales in this place otherwise you can end up spending a fortune.
Try and find this place from outside the ground level as getting to it from the Brunel Centre can be confusing and you could well lose your bearings
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Review of Woolworths
07 May 08, 11:13
Woolies
Cheap clothes and toasters now, and not so much with the music.
They've started acting as a Tesco Extra but without the food. They have CDs and DVDs but they can be a bit expensive, so shop around.
I'll agree that the pick and mix is a draw
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Debenhams
07 May 08, 11:08
Good Sized
A decent sized department store with a good range of menswear from different designers.
It's a good idea as they have different styles and shapes. The parking is a real plus, however it's a bit pricier and there is cheaper around, but you ned to know where they are first
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Review of Thorntons
07 May 08, 10:56
...since 1911
Thankfully they aren't trying to cram a coffee shop into thtis place as well, so the queues are horrific as you wrestle with the lady buying a latte.
They just concentrate on chocolate and around easter will sign a person's name onto the egge in icing... and in handwriting that is much better than mine
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Tesco Metro
06 May 08, 17:49
Handy for Lunch
Blindingly handy if you don't want to get into your car to go to the big Sainsburys.
A good range of Sandwiches and plenty of staff on th etills so you can get in and out very smoothly. They have lots of sandwiches as the offices spill out for lunch. It would just be a bit nicer if you didn't have to trip over kids bicycles that were left on the floor right outside the door. I was half tempted to nick one of them to teach them a lesson. I settled for resting it out of the way.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Dominos Pizza
06 May 08, 17:38
Good effort
Domonos have saved my lazy skin on may an occasion when I could happily have let myself waste away than actually cook.
They always got my order right (which is unusual for Dominos believe me) and it always arrived while it was hot.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of KFC
06 May 08, 16:44
Mind your car
if you manager to find a parking space outside then immediately order your fried chicken and also hire a full orchestra to play the Hallelujah chorus.
Once your in, you'll be constantly checking your motor outside as you feel it's likely to be stolen or clipped by passing traffic
Decent KFC with good gravy
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Review of Rootes Maidstone
06 May 08, 16:36
Solid
The Peugeot dealer for Maidstone. Part of the Robins and Day group that has places in Canterbury and Rochester.
They've always been very helpful and when a friends car developed a persistent fault the saw through the repair until it was sorted out.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Amf Bowling
06 May 08, 16:05
Pricey Pub Inside
Plenty of lanes for you to use and it's not that expensive. They also have a pub at the back of the lanes, but don't settle yourself in for a a load of beers as it's really expensive in there.
The bowling is good and there are plenty of other games to play while you're waiting.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Konya Kebab House
06 May 08, 15:58
Solid
Handy for when you spill out of Mu Mu bar. They're always open and the kebabs are nice enough. They do tend to be a bit heavy handed with the chilli sauce so you will need to make a point of saying that you only want a little bit.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of KFC
06 May 08, 15:54
Queue
A big KFC where there is normally a queue. On a Sunday just before noon when the place opens, you will see people in line waiting to get in. Either the food is exceptional or the concept of Sunday Roast has been lost in this part of Maidstone.
There's plenty of seating, however if you need the toilet, you're going to have to ask the staff to give you a key to unlock the bathrooms. You might as well hold on.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of White Rabbit
06 May 08, 15:48
Pay And Display
You might well bypass this place as it's not exactly the nices part of town and you're hammering past it on the dual carriageway to the town centre, but it's worth a visit.
It's nice spacious and cool (even in high summer) on the inside, with plenty of nooks to hide away in. The food is solid pub/restaurant stuff. Not gourmet, but certainly good and filling. Not too expensive either.
HOWEVER... If you are eating here, you need to pay for parking, so don't forget to go to the pay and display otherwise you might end up with a ticket. It's to stop people parking here and heading off into town, however I'm sure it's caught many a customer out
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Cafe Grill
06 May 08, 15:44
Solid
A bit of a greasy spoon, but the breakfast i had in here was just what I was after. I didn't want gourmet, i just wanted eggs and bacon and they did it well.
Sitting with a paper and a cup of tea, it's dingey on the inside, but it's a cafe and it doesn exactly what it says on the tin
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Review of Burger King
06 May 08, 15:31
No seats
It's not really a restaurant otherwise there would be somewhere to sit. It's just a the counter for a burger king and then you're back into the centre with the cinema and a couple of other restaurants.
The food comes fast so you don't have to wait too long and it always tastes better than McDonalds
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Frobishers
06 May 08, 14:34
Open tonight?
This place goes through the process of closing and opening regularly.
It's a nice bar which is a bit quieter as it's further down the high street and not on the main drag.
They have a really nice room upstairs, plus the toilets have displays of clothes from the local boutiques, which gives you something to look at while you're... well, while you're otherwise engaged.
Check out the piece of sculpture/artwork that is gold and hangs above the stairs. it's either pears or boobs or bottoms. I've not worked it out yet, no matter how many times i've gone past it
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Review of Old Orleans Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
06 May 08, 14:12
Solid
This place is run well. i've never had any problems with food when i've gone in here. It's not gourmet cuisine, but you know what you're getting and it's fine. They also do a nice coctail so it's worth eating here if you're off to the cinema upstairs
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of McDonald's Restaurants
06 May 08, 14:10
Standard
Somebody has to say it... this place is busy, because this is the cheap end of town. Once you leave the Eutopia of Fremlin's Walk then you're up this end of town where it's grotty.
However, McDonalds act as a valuable part of the diet in this part of Maidstone and they do it well. Much nicer than the one in the Chequers centre, it's always clean and always busy so you're always getting fresh food.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Blockbuster Video
06 May 08, 13:48
Well Stocked
A big Blockbuster store with all the choice you could want. it's not that pricey to rent a film and I haven't seent he price jump up at any point.
I haven't been in here and found that they have completely rented out the latest films, so you can pretty much always get what you came in here for
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Spar
06 May 08, 13:47
Pricey but convenient
A medium sized spar. They have the usual stuff you'd expect from a convenience store. You're going to be hard pushed to do a full shop in here, but I always used thsi place to dash into and grab some stuff for dinner if I couldnt' face going to Tesco or Sainsbury.
Much more expensive than the other supermarkets around, but your paying for the convenience
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of J D Sports
05 May 08, 23:38
Rock Bottom
A decent sized store of J D Sports with all the sporting goods at rock bottom prices.
If you're serious sport then you probably need to go to a specif sports store (like Sweatshop)
However if you're after some cheap sports gear, bags or clothes then you won't break the bank at this place
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Timpson
05 May 08, 23:33
Timpson Time
Cutting keys and mending shoes. I've no idea why these 2 things go hand in hand.
If Timpson wasn't around then we'd be screaming out for a place that did these services. They've always had the right key when I 've gone in here and they re-heeled a pair of shoes for me that have lasted well, so well done Timpson
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Silverscreen
05 May 08, 23:27
Discount???
A DVD shop and also music as well.
I've often looked in here and most of the films look like they're going to be discounted heavily, but they're not that much different in price from Zavvi and HMV.
You can probably find everything in here cheaper online.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of CTR
05 May 08, 23:23
KM station
Now called K M F M Maidstone and run by the kent messenger group. It's just like all the other K M stations.
Placing itself between Radio 2 and Invicta FM, the music is nice enough to listen to and there aren't as many adverts as you get on Invicta so you can flick around and find something that you want to listen to.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Majestic Wine Warehouses
05 May 08, 23:14
Leisure Drinking
A good selection of wines on stock here. They also do them quite cheaply. It's a bit more expensivethan Tesco, but you're getting achoice that isn't being forced on you by a corporate buyer.
You can buy in bulk to make it cheaper and they often do tastings so you can find something new that you might like
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Review of Pillow Talk
05 May 08, 22:37
Ann Summers Type
A naugty Ann Summer's shop that stocks a load of exotic movies and toys.
I promise that I only know this due to the fact that they used to ring into the radio station I was working at. Honest Mum.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ernest Jones
05 May 08, 22:33
Decent Selection
The staff were helpful as I tried on several watches in this place. The selection was good even though I didn't find anything I wanted, the staff were gracious enough to be polite, friendly and helpful even though I didn't end up buying anything and went to Fraser Hart a few doors down
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Fraser Hart
05 May 08, 22:24
Helpful staff
I bought a watch from here and the staff were helpful enough while I faffed around and tried all the watches umming and erring.
The watch was really reasonably priced and they even fixed it so that it fitted my wrist properly.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Sevenoaks Hi Fi
05 May 08, 22:19
Patience is a virtue
This place has a load of really top end products. The name brands like Sony are in here, but I suggest you wait a bit when you buy stuff.
My mate paid a lot for his TV, but 6 months later it was available for half the price. Not a bad saving for waiting half a year. The guys in here know their stuff and will tempt you with shiny electricals, but if you choose something that isn't brand new you might just get yourself a bargain.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of River Island Clothing Co
05 May 08, 21:54
Average
A reasonable sized River Island in Maidstone. Not as big as you'll find in some of the shopping centres, but you'll get to see the main lines that they have in store.
Men's clothing is upstairs and when the stuff is out on the floor it can get a little bit crowded when it's busy. If you're checked out online you might well find that they don't have what you've seen and may have to take a trip to Bluewater
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bang & Olufsen
05 May 08, 21:44
Expensive
A beautiful shop that you're going to want everything in it sat in your living room (only without the wires and boxes cluttering up the place)
The guys in here will show you the equipment and they'll explain why you need this stuff as well.
You will need deep pockets and long arms as well.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Poundstretcher
05 May 08, 21:33
Poundland but different
A bit like Poundland but not constricted by the everything costs a pound thing like Poundland.
It's worth it for picking up some budget stuff like cleaning products which are dirt cheap here (a bit like Wilkinson's nearby in the chequers centre)
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Marks & Spencer
05 May 08, 21:30
Good cafe
A large branch of Marks and Sparks. the store extends back quite a long way and if you walk far enough you'll find the cafe which does a mean sandwich and a breakfast at the weekend.
Decent enough stuff and not too busy in the men's section. Shirts and ties are a staple, however they could do with a slimming down some of their clothes as we're not all built like space hoppers
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Woolworths
05 May 08, 21:26
What do they do
This place is always busy at the weekend. They've moved into budget clothes and home goods making it a bit like a Tesco store. They still sell music and videos that are cheaper elsewhere but you can still grab a bargain or two.
It's hard to pin down exactly what Woolworths do now, but I'm always tripping over buggs and snotty nosed kids at the weekend
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Mccolls
05 May 08, 21:12
Opens later
It's expensive for groceries, but if you're planning on picking up a drink then it's ok.
It also opens a little later than the other shops, so you can grab some cigarrettes before you go out. Saving you from paying pub prices
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Premier Express
05 May 08, 21:10
Expensive, grab a paper instead
You'd think that the price you pay for the food in here would get you a better quality of plastic carrier bag. It would appear not. It's expensive in here, but you can get a paper without having to walk all the way down into town and take it into the Wetherspoons across the road when you have breakfast
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Games Workshop
05 May 08, 21:08
Black T-shirts anyone?
The place where you'll find lots of kids who haven't yet discovered girls.
They do a full line in all the role playing games and also run workshops at the wekend where kids go and paint their models. The people here are enthusiasts and can advise you on what your kids want.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Game Stores Group
05 May 08, 21:05
High Street
Part of the game stores chain that you find all over the country.
They do a good line in new games and they're are the some of the cheapest around on the high street.
Check out the second hand games, you may find a bargain. They also do good bundle packs for consoles and the staff behind the counter will be able to give you advise on what you need.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of K & L Signed Memorabilia
05 May 08, 20:53
Tucked Away
A little shop that you'll have to go and find tucked away in the Royal star arcade.
They have a decent selection, but they it is a little limited due to the size of the shop, but if they don't have what you're after they'll be able to help you locate it
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Card Fair
05 May 08, 20:46
Hot, but cheap
It's like a clinton's card shop, but cheaper. The building is a bit of a shed but once your inside the range is extensive.
If you're going into this place during the summer you're going to need to take your shirt off as for some reason it gets really hot (or when I went in there the air con was bust)
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Millets
05 May 08, 20:43
Handy
Great for going away on a rustic holiday, especially if you need to pick up some stuff before you leave
It's worth a wander round here as you might realise that you needed stuff that you didn't know existed.
The staff are knowledgeable and can help you with any enquiries.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ye Olde Bakery
05 May 08, 20:40
Solid
A really good bakery that does a mean sausage roll.
Teh cakes are good and I would often walk past here and pick up a chelsea bun. I'm a simple bloke and enjoyed it all very much. The later you leave it in the day, the cakes thend to go ver a little bit and aren't quitea s fresh. They have a very short shelf life
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Greggs
05 May 08, 20:38
Freshly baked
Good place for fresh baked goods in Maidstone. always busy in the mornings when everything is fresh, but if you keep an eye out they'll bake again.
Prices are reasonable and the food is good. You do get a lot of people hanging around here that I wouldn't want to stand in a queue with
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Thorntons
05 May 08, 20:27
Chocolate Heaven - apparently
A small branch of Thorntons with all the stock you could think of. They don't have a coffee shop, so you don't have to worry about lengthy queues of angry shoppers getting their hot drinks.
Don't eat too many as you'll feel sick (that might just be me who has a problem with the trufles)
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Waterstones Booksellers
05 May 08, 20:24
Waterstones
A typical waterstones, but not a big one. You'll find all of the big names as they stock them, but they don't have a huge number of items on the shelves.
If they don't have what you want, they do an order service, but you might miss out on something you might happen on by browsing
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Elusive Camel
05 May 08, 20:06
Standard
It's a normal pub for this area of the city. The pub is good to get away for a pint away from the commuters of Victoria.
It's nice for a drink, and you can grab a snack here. It's also a place where you won't be rammed with train passengers like in the wetherspoons at Victoria
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Shakespeare Tavern
05 May 08, 19:57
Pint and bolw of chips
Pretty much the archetypal pub for this area and you can bet your bottom dollar that it's gonna be the same as the one around the corner.
The food is average and nothing to go mad over, but it's also quite reasonably priced and if you're after a bowl of chips and a pint after work or while you're avoiding the throng of commuters
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ortega
05 May 08, 14:20
Tapas
I've walked past this place quite a few times without ever venturing in and I've realised that I've missed out.
You can either select from small selections of different dishes to make up your tapas menu or you can go for a standard set meal. The food is solid enough and the main part that stuck out in my mind was that my beer was icy cold which was perfect when it was really hot outside
You'll pay £4 for a starter and around £9-10 for a main course. They do a good lunch menu for a fiver.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Sloane Square Underground Station
05 May 08, 13:57
Sloane Ranger
Home of the Sloane Ranger. You won't find them using the underground, but you will find them shopping at Tiffany and Gucci. if you're after those shops then this is the tube station. If you're heading to kensington after, you might as well carry on up and road and avoid the tube.
The station is never that busy as residents and shoppers don't use the underground so you won't have to queue to long and you'll be able to get on a train
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Notting Hill Gate Underground Station
05 May 08, 13:37
Fake Frontage
Only part of this is underground. Once you get down the station for the central and district lines you're actually just under a roof and if you look up you can see fake fronted houses to blend in and not show the tracks of the station. This always gets busy as peole change for the central line meaning that the platform can get really crowded
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Earls Court Underground Station
05 May 08, 13:21
Bottleneck
The station for the exhibition centre. Thankfully they have set themselves up to deal witht he trafffic from the exhibition centre and are used to dealing with crowds as they have plenty of space on the plat form. It is a bit of a pain that they don't exactly realise that with this they'd need need plenty of exit ticket gates. There are never enough and you can get theld up here both directions.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Paddington Underground Station
05 May 08, 13:06
Marmalade
Massive, which is handy as Paddington station is located here as well. This means that every time more than one train pull in here, there is a sudden surge for the tube.
You do get a good look around the train station joined to this place you'll have to look long and hard for the statue of Paddington as it's life sized and therefore only 3 and a half feet high!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Camden Town Underground Station
05 May 08, 13:00
Winehouse and Moss
You're unlikely to see Amy winehouse and Kate moss using the tube station, although you may see them above ground as Camden is getting very trendy.
The markets around here are worth a visit and the tube is starting to see many more people especially on Saturdays.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Angel Underground Station
05 May 08, 12:57
Up to the bars
If you want to avoid the normal centre of the city tourist bars then you can do a lot worse that come up above ground here. it's never too crowded and the bars around here are good, espeicially the Elbow room pool bar
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Baker Street Underground Station
05 May 08, 12:15
Tussaud's Tube Station
As you pull into the station you'll see profile sillouhettes of Baker Street's most famous resident - Sherlock Holmes.
It's the underground for Madame Tussaud's waxwork museum, so it can get busy with hoards fo kids hanging around wiating to be taken on their school trips
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Knightsbridge Underground Station
05 May 08, 12:05
Twin Set and Pearls
You can't move around here for Shoppers carrying oversized Harrod's bags. What the hell have they bought that would need a bag that you could pack my entire house contents into.
Generally rammed with ladies in twin sets and pearls on a day out to knightsbridge visiting Harrod's and Fortnum and Mason losing their train tickets in huge handbags or oversized purses causing backlogs at the ticket gates. If you can walk here then do, you get better architecture to look at than other parts of London
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Kings Cross Underground Station
05 May 08, 11:56
Avoid at Night
This services King Cross train station so it gets quite busy if you're heading this way at rush hour, particulary with the city folk of Holborn and the ITN lot from Grays Inn Road hammering down the road to get here.
Not the nicest place if you're hanging around at night, I'd avoid wandering around here after 11pm
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Mornington Crescent Underground Station
05 May 08, 11:16
Close to Regent's Park
Humphrey Lyttleton made me believe that every train station in the world led me to Mornington crescent, but it wasn't until recently that I actually used the station.
It's never that busy and it's conveniently place if you plan to walk through Regent's park
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Holborn Underground Station
05 May 08, 11:06
Bottleneck
Holborn is a bit of a bottleneck as the whole place converges on a small opening which makes it a pain getting out of the place.
once you dodged the people forcing a free paper into your hands, you'll get caught up in the throng of tourist blinking in the sunlight as they try to get their bearings and try to find the tourist bits of London
Hint... You need to turn Left
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Victoria Underground Station
05 May 08, 11:04
Always Busy
As Victoria is a massive Train station for London, a lot of people come through here, meaning that it's always busy.
Once you get down the stairs, you're going to have to dodge all the people milling about looking lost. Once you get through you'll have the choice of lines to get on.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Charing Cross Underground Station
05 May 08, 11:02
Kent Bound
This is the tube station for Charing Cross train station and is actually quite quiet. I've been through here on peak times and although it's looking old and tired, the train station only serves Kent, so the tube station isn't that crowded.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Shop@Panasonic
04 May 08, 13:38
Not Sony Sexy
It's like the Sony Shop in the other part of the mall, but for Panasonic goods.
The items are quite as sexy and you don't get the same buzz as from the Sony Centre, however you do get something Sony don't offer... change.
The products are still good and the staff will still advise you on what you should be looking for.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Millets
04 May 08, 13:29
Worth a browse
If you're going camping and want to be prepared then Millets will have it. You'll find that somebody in this shop knows their stuff. If it's not the first person you speak to, they'll find the person that does.
it's handy to pick up all the essential equipment for your camping stuff. It's actually quite a well stocked store and it's worth looking around as you may see something that you'll need that never crossed your mind before
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of K M FM
04 May 08, 12:56
Medway
A local radio station for Kent, run by the Kent Messenger newpaper group.
The music is a cross between Invicta and Radio 2 and if you drive around the Medway towns you get to hear travel news about Medway rather then Dover which you get on Invicta and probably doesn't bother you
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of City Cafe
04 May 08, 12:38
Good Traditional Cafe
Sometimes on a Friday at lunchtime, a sandwich won't cut it (especially if you've been out on th a school night) then head to the City Cafe.
It's a typical greasy spoon and it does it well. Visited by the truck drivers of Christain Salveson haulage company over the road and plenty of other workers on teh Medway City Estate, the food is reasonably priced and just what you want from a cafe
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Monkey Bizz
04 May 08, 12:22
Little Monkeys
Surprisingly fun (for my niece, not me cos I was too big to play on most of the stuff)
reasonably priced soft play area and ball pit. IT's a bit of fun to have a coffee while the kids play. I have to admit that the word Monkey always makes me smile and that's what made me check this place out
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Chicquitos
04 May 08, 12:10
Escape the Kids
When the outside of the Medway Valley Leisure park is crawling with kids hanging around McDonalds or the cinema, it's quite nice to come in here. The food is nothing special, but the decor is nice enough and it's not a bad place to sit.
You don't need to order food, you can have a cold bottle of sol sat at the bar which is much nicer than standing around in the foyer of the cinema.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Ugc Cinemas
04 May 08, 12:01
Get there early
A big cinema with all the latest films showing. Sweets and drinks are extortionately expensive (as with most cinemas) but the cinema is big spacious and comfortable.
If you're going to a late showing then you might need to drive around a bit to find a parking space and even need to park on verges underneath the M2 above you.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Boots The Chemists
04 May 08, 11:51
Small but helpful
Quite a small branch of boots. You certainly wont' find the gifts that you may be used to at the bigger stores.
This place mostly concentrates of on cosmetics and medicine. the Pharmacist here is very helpful and can advise you on what you might need so you don't have to bother your doctor
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Booker Cash & Carry
04 May 08, 11:36
Buy in Bulk
A massive range of everything and if you're buying in bulk then it's perfect.
Don't forget to check out upstairs whihc has a large range of cooking equipment.
It works out really cheap, although if you're buying meat (like I did for a BBQ) then the quality can be a bit questionable. Also you need to have a bookers card, so you'll need to be a business owner to get registered.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Non Stop Party Shop
04 May 08, 10:42
It does stop at some point
The name on this place is really misleading, often when I go past it's closed so the party isn't non stop is it (admittedly it's during the evening and people do have homes to go to)
There are plenty of items here, costumes and other party paraphenalia such as balloons and the poppers etc.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Holland & Barrett
04 May 08, 10:38
Unorganised?
A smallish branch of Holland and Barrett that I never seem able to find what I'm looking for.
I generally have to ask for help, but the staff are always nice to point you in the right direction or get the item for you. It seems a little disorganised, but it might just be that I don't understand the system
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Review of Officers Club
04 May 08, 10:35
Overpriced
The don't sell flying jackets and blazers as you might expect from the name of the place.
Men's fashions, choosing from several well known brand names. The clothes are current without being too "out there" and it's never that busy, so it's a pleasant change from the throng that usually mills around the mall itself.
The reason for this is that it's quite expensive for what it is and you can probably find equivalent items much cheaper elsewhere
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Dixons
03 May 08, 23:08
Haggle
Dixons sell electrical goods and plenty of them. They're one of the cheapest places on the high street and you can haggle with them (which not many people realise)
If you buy the insurance they might knock a bit off (you can then cancel the insurance and pay nothing for it)
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Maidstone Sony Centre
03 May 08, 22:58
cramped
The most beautiful shop in the Chequers Centre. The home of Sony goods in Maidstone, although the shop is too small to get the full effect of the large TVs they have in here.
As they have a central aisle, you' can't get far enough eway from the TVs to full appreciate them.
they do a line in laptops and camcorders as well,
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Poundland
03 May 08, 22:56
Cheap
It's all a pound... stop asking.
Budget stuff in any category... sometimes you'll even find a gnome lurking on the shelves.
However, they do sell lighters really cheaply, so if you're a smoker, come here to get them.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Wilkinson
03 May 08, 22:54
Best for cleaning products
Very handy if youre after cleaning supplies. It's kind of a department store, but not in the sense of clothes and shoes and sporting goods.
They're mostly known for budget home furnishings and cleaning products and it does it very well. Most of their stuff is dirt cheap and they always have enough tills open so you can get in and out quickly
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Thorntons
03 May 08, 22:48
Chocolate Heaven since 1911
Quite a small Thornton's shop, but thankfully they don't try to fill it with a coffee shop as well.
Thorntons do a good range of chocolates and everybody has their fravourites. Some can be a bit sickly, but I think that's because I try to eat as many as humanly possible.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Clinton Cards
03 May 08, 22:44
Fits the Bill
It's a your standard Clinton's card shop. it's a reasonable size so you'll find something that you want due to there being plenty of choice.
The staff never look thrilled to work here, but then it's the chequers centre... so you can hardly blame them
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Bakers Oven
03 May 08, 22:37
Popular
this place is always busy in the mornings I know cos I was usually one of them after an early shift.
If you're the kind of person that sticks with a sausage roll then try a steak slice. You won't be disappointed
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Moss Bros
03 May 08, 22:35
Helpful
The guys in here were helpful when I needed a black tie dinner jacket for an event.
If you need to buy one they can do that as well. They have plenty of choice and are well worth a visit if you don't want to buy a suit that you don't think you'll use again
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Peking Chef
03 May 08, 22:27
Lay How
The M1 in this place isn't the motorway, it's the set menu's meal for one person.
Reasonably priced and if you remember to say Lay How (phonetic) I often get some free prawn crackers. (It means thank you in Cantonese) It can be a little greasey at times, but it's the only one in Grove and if you want t better then you're going to have to try somewhere in Wantage
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Smarts Takeaway
03 May 08, 22:25
Solid
Still knocking out a decent portion of fish and chips after many years in this new development in Grove (one day I'll stop calling it the new development... it's been there over 20 years)
Good enough and solid. Always plentiful with the salt and vinegar and nicely priced as well. You still get a bad chip in every portion... but I think that's the rule wherever you go... I bet Gordon Ramsey throws in a bad chip into each portion, cos it's the rules!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Jade Palace
03 May 08, 22:22
Rice and Chicken
I used to stumble into here after a night boozing whilst in sixth form. It was then followed by a mazey walk home to Grove clutching a one pot combo of rice and sweet and sour chicken
I'm glad to say that they still do this and it brought back many school memories, although I felt a bit guilty doing it in the middle of the day.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Stead & Simpson
03 May 08, 22:19
Bog Standard
This is the the complete opposite to the other shoe shop in Wantage "Geoffrey Bailey Shoes" which are expensive.
These are quite cheap and they have the lookalike shoes (eg ones that look like Timberland boots) and they're all the low end of the price range.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Rolys
03 May 08, 22:14
Solid
A classic barber shop. If you're looking for a toni and guy styling experience then you're in the wrong place.
If you're after a standard man's haircut then Roly's will do the job for you. You rarely have to queue, if you do it's for 5 minutes with a copy of the paper and then you're snipped and on your way. Prices are very cheap and it won't take much time out of your day
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Spar
03 May 08, 20:45
So Near So...etc
One of the few places that I've ever seen open on Christmas Day. But he must have something, because people were shopping.
There isn't a lot in this place, but definately stocks the basics. It's a bit like a Tesco Express, but it does tend to be quite expensive. I wouldn't stock up on anything here, but it's definately handy to nip into and grab a paper and some biscuits
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of White Hart
03 May 08, 20:42
Funtion Room
The pub itself is quite small and not that easy to move around in, however it has a funtion room out the back that you can hire out which backs out onto a large garden
This is a really nice place to hold a function in the village and the garden is well kept and a pleasurable place to be when the sun is shining
There's not a lot of parking so you will find that you're going to have to find a space out on the street. However, there is always somewhere to park and you won't be too far from the front doors
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Poundland
02 May 08, 16:19
It's a Pound
How much... well a pound actually. it says so on the sign outside.
They probably get tired of being asked this by students who think it's the funniest thing on earth (I'm pretty sure I did as well though)
A medium sized store with everything. it's a bit like bric a brac interspersed with useful household objects. However if you're plannin on buying matches or a lighter, get them here. They're dirt cheap.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of J D Sports
01 May 08, 23:16
Fashion not sports
This place has general sporting goods, but not so much on the specialist stuff.
It's well stocke for fashion items, but if you're going for proper sports and running gear then go to a proper specialist store as they'll fit you properly
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Carling Academy
01 May 08, 22:34
Paying for the name
I think this place seems to have lost a bit of soul since it changed from the Zodiac.
It takes ages to get a drink in here, unless you leave mid set (which defeats the point of going to see it) It's still a bit grungey (which is part of the charm) You'll stick to the floor, but you also have to spend a bit more on the tickets due to the Carling brand having taken over the place!
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Clovers
01 May 08, 22:29
Bric a Brac
An odd store with plenty of odds and sods in here. it's like a sort of poundland crossed with a bric a brac theme.
Loads of cheep stuff in here. Worth wandering in but not for a specific visit.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Schuh
01 May 08, 21:51
Fully stocked
Not the biggest Schuh store you can get but still fully stocked. They seem to have a lot of shoes out on show.
It can be a bit hard to pick your way around the store, but the staff are quick to deal with you and get you to the tills.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Premier Cellar
01 May 08, 18:09
Open late
This place stays open late, which is handy for anyone wanting cigarettes on a night out.
They always have some deals on booze so if you're planning to crack into the tins and don't want to go to Tesco then head here as it's really reasonably priced
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Woods Menswear
01 May 08, 17:02
Non-High Street
An independent store that gets in a range of clothes. I like the ability to browse in here that isn't normal a normal high street chain.
Everything is generally quite stylish and you will be able to find something you like. You will pay a premium for this as it's a bit more expensive than other places
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of W H Smith
01 May 08, 16:45
Tucked awa
Tucked away in the Harpur centre... you're going to have to go looking for it if you want to pick up the latest magazines. They do a good range of stationary and this shop is nicely laid out and spacious
However, who buys DVDs from here when they are half the price elsewhere on the high street. I can't figure it out.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Harpur Shopping Centre
01 May 08, 16:28
Outside brought Indoors
I quite like the Harpur centre, although it's not quite a specific shopping centre like Milton Keynes or Bluewater... it's like an extension of the high street and silver street only it's undercover
the range of shop is good enough as everything else you might want is just outside the doors. As it's in the centre you don't have to make a specific journey, it's conveniently located and bright and clean
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Millar Tree
01 May 08, 16:24
SAS (Surplus Army Store)
I was after a particular watch and managed to find it here. God bless Welovelocal as I don't think I would have been aware of this place otherwise
A good selection of army surplus stuff (if that's your thing) I was just after the watch, but if I ever get into the SAS then I'm coming back here for rations and stuff like that
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.