The jewelry industry developed in the city from the mid-19th Century. At its peak in the early part of the 20th Century, it employed nearly 20,000 workers. Today, the Jewellery Quarter is a bustling area that produces over a third of the UK's jewelry, and you can find tons of bargains in its many small shops. It's also home to the award-winning Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and some good restaurants.
Autograph is a designer menswear store with a stylish, minimalist feel, specializing mainly in Helmut Lang, Stone Island and Paul Smith. It sells elegant, casual clothes for both sexes at affordable prices. The shop is favored by the new breed of well-dressed footballer (for example Lee Sharpe, the former Manchester United player, has been spotted here).
Asda is one of Britain's largest supermarket chains, and has now been taken over by American giant WalMart. Its prices are generally reckoned to be keen and the Small Heath branch is open for 24 hours a day (with the exception of Sundays, owing to UK trading laws). Asda doesn't sell groceries alone but has a well-regarded clothes section too. It offers various other items such as kitchenware, pharmaceuticals and electronic goods. The store is open 24 hours from Tuesday to Friday.
This small shop provides a high quality, the alternative range of children's clothing without you having to pay top-designer prices. Daisy Chain caters to newborn babies up to children of primary school age and is a great place for a special outfit or for something a little out of the ordinary. This is also a great shop for some innovative educational toys and gifts, as well as wooden toys, soft toys galore, mobiles, wall hangings and even a battery-operated hobbyhorse.
Meridien Maps carries an exclusive range of old prints. For example, you could buy a delicately hand-colored 19th-century print. Choose from rolling landscapes, detailed still life or a sporting moment frozen in time. You will also find a wide range of fascinating old maps, all of which tell you so much about the changing face of Britain. If you cannot find what you want, then you could use the unique search service that the gallery offers. All of the prints are mounted and you can have them specially wrapped and sent anywhere in the world.
Birmingham's Bullring Shopping Centre is one of the most popular in the city, and even in the entire country! The shopping center surrounds St. Martin's Church, providing for an interesting contrast of old and new architecture. The center, which replaced an older version, opened in 2003 and is now home to over 150 stores and dozens of dining options. Among the stores include Selfridge's department store, one of only four in the world, and a city landmark due to its ultra modern design.
This long narrow shop displays antiques and bric-a-brac from eight separate dealers. Specialist areas include a case of dolls and teddies, Shakespearean books, old paintings, Toby jugs, china dogs, pottery and tiles. There are coin collections, militaria, old bottles, books and coronation mugs. All in all, a very worthwhile browse, who knows what you might find!
This small shop provides a high quality, the alternative range of children's clothing without you having to pay top-designer prices. Daisy Chain caters to newborn babies up to children of primary school age and is a great place for a special outfit or for something a little out of the ordinary. This is also a great shop for some innovative educational toys and gifts, as well as wooden toys, soft toys galore, mobiles, wall hangings and even a battery-operated hobbyhorse.
Chaucer Head Bookshop is a gloriously, well-organized stock of books that seemingly covers every subject. There are specialist sections on Shakespeare, the theater, English literature, topography and natural history, nestling amongst the shelves. Many of the books are easily affordable but you will also find the more expensive "coffee table" photographic masterpiece here. The shop carries a range of unusual greeting cards and Tudor quills with which to make your mark! Note that the building is thought to date back to Shakespeare's time.
Set in the old market area of Stratford-upon-Avon, Rother Street now plays host to a series of Farmers' Markets. Held on the first and third Saturdays of the summer months, the Farmers' Market is your chance for you to buy local produce directly from local people. As more of us become concerned about what we eat, these markets give you the chance to ask before you buy. Whether it's cheeses, chutney or sausages you want, you can be sure that this market will pass your taste test. This market is held only on the first and third Saturdays.
Iceland store in Cannock offers grocery, frozen foods and other ready to cook products that make the job of cooking a lot easier. Besides, they are sold here at amazing discounts and your purchases come with exciting prizes and great savings. So stop by if the store is on your way home or ask them to deliver the purchases at your doorstep.
Holland & Barrett has around 550 stores across the UK and Ireland, and these offer a range of health products that provide supplementary nutrition in the form of powders, tablets, syrups and capsules. Expecting mothers, fitness enthusiasts and health conscious can benefit from these medicines. Visit their shop located in the Cannock Shopping Center and check out the complete range of medical and herbal products and toiletries. Whether you buy it direct or online, most purchases come with great discounts and savings. Call ahead to know more.