groovygirl's Qype profile

I love this M&S! I think mainly because it is so huge and well stocked. As well as a clothing and home area there is a small supermarket too. Whatever you are after, this store has it. And if it doesnt, its attached to a massive Sainsburys!!

Its very clean and the aisles are always wide and clear. Staff are very friendly and approachable, and prices as always in Marks very reasonable for the quality they offer.

This store is out of the way, so you will need to live local to hedge End or have transportation but all this allowing you really cannot go wrong.

If you are out for the day, you can even stop for a bite to eat as there is a resturant situated between Marks’ and Sainsburys.

I wouldn’t shop at Poundland for everything but there are some things that it makes sense to get in this shop. It’s probably best to steer clear of clothes, utensils etc, but they do do some brand food that is cheaper than in the supermarkets, and also shampoo and other cleaning materials. Both for personal hygene and the cleanliness of your home. I have probably saved a fortune in the time I have been going here by purchasing these goods here instead of paying full whack.

The shop itself is usually very busy and you can be expected to queue to pay for your cheap purchases. The store is fairly well stocked and there are plenty of staff on show re-filling the shelves.

The best bit, if you ask me, is that it is easy to add up how much your shopping comes to!

In many ways this Spar shop is the same as the others, but it also seems to have something a bit more. Its very clean and well equiped for a store of its size. It’s situated convienently across the road from Southampton Central train station and is ideal if you don’t want to pay the prices the shops within the station charge. It’s also right by the large bus station so whether getting a train, coming home, walking into Shirley or town, or waiting for a bus, this store has most things you would need at a moments notice.

Opening times are good, so are the staff.

I’ve only been to Kaos once in my life and that was a couple of years ago now when I was a student. It was very fitting with that lifestyle, but I would probably enjoy it more now, ironically.

Student lifestyle - really cheap alcohol, grungey scene, packed full with students.

It has a mosh pit feel to it, the nights get messy if you frequent here but I’m not sure how different that is to anywhere else!

Staff are friendly and its not cliquey at all.

This is probably the most convienient pub in the whole of Southampton. Situated on Southampton Common, it is the perfect stop off after a long stroll or other activities taken part in on the Common.

It has a family feel to it, both in clientele and in decor. It certainly has a relaxed atmosphere for you to relax in on a Summers afternoon. There is good outdoor seating too, and a large carpark.

Prices are affordable and the staff friendly and reliable. You can’t go wrong with this choice of venue.

This is a smart, slick, trendy bar in Bedford Place. It’s not particularly cheap but if you’re looking for a busy place, with a more upmarket feel to it then this might be the place for you.

The perhaps slightly over-zealous security on the door means that you probably wont encounter trouble here, but it does get very busy on a friday and saturday night.

Gorgeous staff, pretty drinks and trendy music means a great night is more than possible in this bar. And if not, its in the centre of a city of student bars and clubs, so you’ll easily find something else.

I’ve heard a lot of hype about Unit 22 (Now known as Unit and moved to St Mary’s) over the last year or so and last week saw me frequent the place for the first time.

It was certainly different to what I’d expected. It has a very indie/alternative crowd. This was very cool because I like my crowds to be diverse and they were certainly that. The music didn’t seem to fit with the look of the crowd though, as it was mainly pop remixes. Don’t get me wrong though, I like a good pop song and it was a nice change to know the music.

It was very busy but I would say that the main downfall (for me, at least) was the age group. They were very young and as someone in their thirties (who, admittedly, looks younger!), I felt more like their babysitter than their clubbing friend…

I think you’ll like this place if you’re in your twenties and want something a bit different. Worth a try, for sure.

Thompsons in the High Street is a nice travel agents. When you walk in it is not intimidating like some travels agents can be. It’s a fairly small shop but there is always someone there to assist you. Whether you just want books to think about holidays, or would like some more detailed advice on where to book, you will not go wrong by checking Thompson’s out.

In the time of the “credit crunch” it is always wise to shop around but this shop will do its best to give you a competitive quote. The staff are lovely and will do their most to fulfil your travel needs, whether that is a caravan in Weymouth, or a five star hotel on the Barrier Reef. Definately worth checking out. I’ll use again and again.

I first went in here the other week when I was looking for a gift for a friend. I’d been all around the shops three times and was completely uninspired. However, as soon as I stepped inside Hotel Chocolat, I realised this was the perfect place to buy a gift. I mean, who doesn’t like luxury chocolate?!!

I’d seen this place there for months but had never bothered going in. It looks very posh from the outside and I assumed it would be really pricey but I was pleasantly surprised. The gifts were all really affordable and the day I went in they had a promotion on, bonus!

The staff were really friendly but not in your face like some staff members can be in other shops. The best bit for me though had to be the bag they give you to keep your gifts in. It was so lovely, and certainly saved on wrapping paper!!

Waterstones is very plush no matter where you visit, and this store is no different. Its a two-storey store, with a wide variety of books on many different subjects. No matter what you’re looking for, you will find it and if you don’t the friendly staff will be more than willing to order it in for you.

There is a Costa coffee shop instore downstairs where you can sit down for a drink and snack and peruse your purchases, there is also a breakfast bar situated by the books, and a toilet to boot too.

Whether you want books, calenders, maps, audio, diaries, magnetic words or just want to window shop, this is a great place to do it.