Heidi M.

Review of Michael Jones Jeweller

03 May 08, 12:49

Not much selection on show

I was a bit disappointed when I went in here a while ago because they only have two windows of displays and then very little inside. H Samuel round the corner have everything on show and loads to choose from. The jewellery is lovely in Michael Jones but I wouldn't recommend it as the first port of call if choice is what you're after.... plus it's quite formal so you may not feel as comfortable popping and asking to see something. It reminds me of a 1920s jewellery shop reserved for the rich and not for the likes of me!

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Review of Bhs

29 Apr 08, 09:47

OK homeware

Whenever I think of BHS all I can imagine are shirts and skirts for school... I certainly would never go in there to buy clothing as it always seem very dated. However, the homeware section upstairs is really nice and you can get some nice bits like lamps and bedding. The cafe is pretty grim though! You can look down and people watch but I would recommend just a cup of tea there rather than lunch. Plus, they used to let people smoke in there right up until the smoking ban which put me off the place - they always seem very backward when it comes to fashion AND what their customers want. If you go to the one in Milton Keynes though, you'll be a lot more impressed. Loads more choice and the cafe is really nice.

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Review of Marks & Spencer

29 Apr 08, 09:43

Shopping and cake

I am unhealthily obsessed with the Per Una range in Marks and Spencer Northampton... unfortunately due to the fact I am always ridiculously poor I can never afford any of it, I tend to just go into the shop and just touch it, convincing myself one day I'll be able to go in and buy the lot. Marks on Abington Street is so handy because it's got a whole food hall too. It's got a lot younger and fresher. The underwear is great as is the homeware section (which isn't actually THAT expensive). The best thing about marks is the jewellery. SO much chunky stuff in there at the moment. And then when you've been round the store and maxed out your third credit card you can go to the cafe upstairs for cake.... shopping and cake. Nothing can beat that.

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Review of Wallis

28 Apr 08, 15:38

What's happened?

What has happened to Wallis? I went in here today and was really disappointed by the lack of choice... it seems to have ages massively. I don't know if they've changed their target market but it's the kind of place designed for 40 year olds. The jewellery is gorgeous but unless you want to look like you're advertising an anti-age facial cream then I would recommend you go somewhere else... very little choice and not much for your money

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Review of Papa Luigi Pizza Franchise

28 Apr 08, 13:16

Great staff

I was really impressed with this place. We popped into get a takeaway pizza a few weeks ago (when it was freezing outside) and said we'd collect it in about 10 minutes. The girl offered to meet us around the back in the car park so we didn't have to walk so far! So we ended up literally driving round, meeting her (who was waiting in the cold for us bless her!) and picking up the pizza on the spot. I don't know if that was a one off but if all their customer service is like that then they definitely deserve 5 stars. Food is good too - but you can't go too far wrong with pizza....

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Review of Albert J Ramsbottom

28 Apr 08, 13:13

BEST CHIPS

I had chips and gravy here the other day and they were absolutely gorgeous... they're often busy which tells you a lot about the quality of their food. The chips are the best around and the staff always seem very friendly and REALLY efficient. For some reason they do close really early on a Saturday though! I'd say that was the only downside. It's perfect if you want a takeaway (cone of chips is 90p) but if you want to sit in they've got a nice cafe bit through the back. If you're having a bad day - the chips from this shop are the way forward.

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Review of Charles Bradlaugh

28 Apr 08, 11:38

Charles Bradlaugh Pub

This is pub is a little way out of town but still does really well with trade - always seems busy. They have a really nice outside bit where you can have a drink and they serve food all day (until 9pm). It's a really good place to go and chill out on a weeknight, or go to on a Saturday when it's much busier and open until 2am. It seems to attract a really nice crowd of people too - worth popping into.

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Review of HMV

28 Apr 08, 10:29

Efficient staff

I went in here a while ago to buy some vouchers for a colleague's leaving present and the guy who served me was really friendly and very efficient. I really like it when they make the effort to chat to you, although I see why some don't as they have to serve so many old miseries. HMVs are notoriously busy, but they seem to really manage this one well. Price wise you can get some good bargains, but I still do most of my CD/DVD shopping online as you can get it cheaper. But if you're in a hurry and want to grab and go, this is a good place to nip into. In my experience you'll get served very quickly and be on your merry way...

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Review of Steffans

24 Apr 08, 17:38

GORGEOUS

If you want to be spoilt then drop many huge hints to potential listening ears about Steffans. I could spend all day in this shop because it's just so pretty and sparkly. I probably could never afford anything from there, but if you want a really nice birthday present for your boyfriend/husband they do really beautiful watches. Naturally, this place gets my thumbs up because for a long time they had a huge billboard with Ben Cohen's heavenly face and body on it staring back at you. You could see him for miles. Now if that isn't enough to attract you to the shop....

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Review of H & M

24 Apr 08, 16:32

Amazingly nice underwear

I got the underwear bargain of the century here a few weeks ago.... I got a matching bra and knicker set (which was £75% off) for about £4. They're really nice too! I also bought lots of lovely black undies here the other day which were really good value (you'd pay about £35 for it in Anne Summers). For underwear, it's great. Don't miss the upstairs bit as there's loads up there. You can get some real bargains here. Just generally, this is a really nice shop to go in and good value

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Review of British Heart Foundation

24 Apr 08, 13:23

Great for books

If you prefer your books second hand like I do, then they always have a great selection. I got the entire Janes Austen collection for £10! They look brand new anyway...

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Review of Subway

24 Apr 08, 11:26

I go here lots

I go in here loads and they're always really friendly (plus they play Northants 96 so they must be good!) It's good value and really nice, freshly made food. They have so many combinations for vegetarians too.

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Review of Republic

24 Apr 08, 09:28

Small

I always feel a bit intimidated going in shops like this - they're a bit cool for me. It's VERY expensive and even if I had the money I wouldn't spend it there. Two tops for £50 - oh bargain. NOT. Staff seem OK but a bit cool for school.... the shop is TINY so don't even THINK of entering if your hands are full of shopping bags

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Review of Primark

24 Apr 08, 09:26

Cheap - but be preared to wait

I like Primark a lot, but Northampton's isn't great. The one in Oxford is FAB! But the choice here always seems a bit limited as stuff goes so quickly. Plus their matching underwear is always weird... the bras seem to be made out of paper and when you're like me and need a good lot of padding (!) it's not ideal. The queues are always really long, staff miserable and security guards just seem to hang around making you feel like you're doing something naughty....

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Review of Royal & Durngate

23 Apr 08, 20:32

Worth a visit!

Love this theatre - it's small enough to be intimate but big enough to be impressive. I went to see a play about a year ago and the set and sound were both great. They get some really good names here too. I would recommend going to see a show - the mailcoach next door is perfect for dinner beforehand or a drink after...

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Review of Topshop

23 Apr 08, 19:42

Great selection

How friendly are the staff!!?? I went in today and one of the staff members Laura was so lovely when my friend and I asked for her help. Really went out of her way. They're not all snooty like in some places. Staff are so pretty though you may leave feeling like you've just been in the company of the Pussycat Dolls - damn them. Oh good lord how I love thee Topshop! I just wish my funds allowed me to shop anywhere other than Primark..... (sigh)

OOH - although one bad thing is my friend was told a cardigan she wanted was the last one they were going to have in so she bought a size too small as she couldn't bear leaving it - a week later, there was another load delivered! So she was annoyed about that....

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Review of Post Office

22 Apr 08, 17:25

Always be prepared - take your tent

I would recommend you take your tent and BBQ with you if you plan to use this Post Office because believe me, you will be there a while. Now, I know they have a bad reputation, but this one takes the biscuit. I don't think the staff could crack a smile if Lenny Henry walked in naked and started telling gags... they are so miserable and the queues are just ridiculous. It could be something to do with one staff member to every 423084723896 customers. Now come on, seriously, sort it out. Avoid this Post Office, it's shocking.

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Review of The Wig & Pen

22 Apr 08, 15:27

GRIM!

I had to pop in here the other day by myself... I warn you now, don't enter on your own as a female! The second I got in the door I had two VERY drunk men come over and start harassing me. Worst of all I wasn't helped at ALL by the barman. Be aware this was at 2pm on a Saturday afternoon! It's absolutely grim. Seriously, if you're not put off enough by the outside, believe me, the inside will put you off for life......

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Review of Baroque

22 Apr 08, 15:20

One of the best bars in Northampton

This is one of the best bars in Northampton... really nice atmosphere and friendly staff. I've been here loads lately. They do great food too! Highly recommend it

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Review of Lloyds No. 1 Bar

22 Apr 08, 11:36

Not a fan

Hmmm.... I'm not a huge fan of this place. It's fine for an after work drink but the food isn't very nice (my friend's prawns came back uncooked twice) and they weren't very polite about it at all. It doesn't look very clean either. It's cheap and maybe a good place to start on a night out, but I'm not very impressed

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Review of O'Briens Irish Sandwich Bar

21 Apr 08, 16:46

Friendly and great fresh food

This is SO nice in the summer as you can sit outside and watch everyone go by... such a nice place to escape to at lunch when you're having a stressful day. The staff are really nice and the food is always fresh and made to order. I always go there for takeaway hot chocolate too, best by far around

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Review of Lush

18 Apr 08, 11:26

Best smellies shop

The girls in the shop are all lovely and really friendly. Plus I love it because nothing is tested on animals and it's all made of natural ingredients. It's perfect for presents too. A bit more pricey than you'd usually pay, but definitely worth it.

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Review of Flames Grill

18 Apr 08, 11:20

Buy one get one free pizza

I go here quite a lot for a takeaway because they do buy one get one free pizzas so it's always really good value. They always have about 2847238947 staff on too so your food arrives within about 2 minutes. It's far from pretty inside (!) but they are really friendly. I recommend it.

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Review of Papa Cino's

17 Apr 08, 17:43

Love it

I love this place - you feel like you're on holiday whenever you go there. The food's really nice and the way it's decorated is gorgeous. The only problem is it can get REALLY hot in there and you feel like you're eating in a sauna...

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Review of Joes Diner

17 Apr 08, 17:42

Hmmmm - unsure about Joe's

I'm not very impressed with Joe's anymore.... the food always tastes to me like it's just come out of a freezer packet, especially the vegetarian sausage and mash, the mash I had last time was like cement. The puddings are good though and they're always really friendly

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Review of Emagen

17 Apr 08, 17:24

Best jeans

This shop does SUCH great jeans. The sizes do tend to be quite small (!) but they also have LOADS of shoes that are really affordable, especially boots. I regularly go in here and would highly recommend it for choice and amazing value.

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Review of Makmara

17 Apr 08, 17:21

Most friendly place you'll go

Owww the owner and main waitress in Makmara's are so lovely, always remember your orders and are always really helpful. My colleagues and I go in all the time. They do the nicest jacket potatoes around.

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