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Feature: Jenny Coggins
Intro
HARDLY anyone ever talks about Primark, and even fewer people
admit to shopping there.
There are two reasons for this: firstly, there is an aura of
embarrassment that comes with admitting your new top is from Primark.
Secondly, the bargains are so damn good, nobody wants to let
the secret out.
Despite two lovely ladies I know referring to the shop in code
('the boutique'), there is certainly nothing to be ashamed of
when shopping at the store.
Only a person without the love of finding a bargain would shun
such a place. And more fool them when they pay the full price
for the real thing, when you get a great imitation at Primark
for far fewer pennies.
The history behind the secret shop is not so secret after all.
Originally an Irish store, Primark now has 116 stores throughout
the UK and Ireland (in Ireland, the group trades as Penny's).
In the capital, they have placed themselves outside of central
London, with several stores, but the journey to them is very rewarding.
The chairman of the store has given promise that more accessible
stores may open soon: "Large parts of the UK population do
not have easy access to a Primark store. There is still plenty
of scope for new sites in the UK and extending space at existing
locations."
But rather than waiting patiently for a store to open near you,
see our guide on what to buy and some of the key London stores
to buy it in.
Bargains to Bag
Women's
For everyday casuals, colourful socks are just £2 for two
pairs. Simple T-Shirts, are £2.50, in a variety of colours,
while jeans go for a tenner and cords for £6.
If the occasion calls for a little more smartness, you can impress
at an interview or wedding with a two-piece suit for only £20.
To wear underneath, get a shirt for £4. With Summer fast
approaching, beachwear has hit the shelves. You can get a whole
bikini for just £5. Great for putting on top of your bikini,
is a pair of linen trousers for £5.
On the whole, the accessories range is pretty tacky. You really
have to dig out the bargains here, and they are fewer and farer
between.
But the bright, wooden bangles, at £1, and purses for £1.50,
are reasonable enough.
In comparison, the ranges of bags are much better. Sequin stripe
bags that wouldn't look out of place in Accesorizes are £2.50.
Multi-coloured straw bags, perfect for Summer holidays, are
£4 and have enough room for your summer read.
The shoe shelves are a must do in every branch. Primark prove
they recognise trends with Polka dot pumps, for £8, and
black kitten heels, at £10. Flip flops in a wide variety
in time for Summer start at £5.
Men's
Support your team for a fraction of the usual price with Umbro
England tees at £6.
If they win, this might just become your lucky shirt!
For work, shirt and tie combos can be picked up for just £6.
They come in a range of colours to match with your suit, so the
choice is good.
If you only need a tie on its own, the pure silk ties for £4
are fantastic in a range of modern prints.
For practical matters, five pairs of sock are only £2.50.
For Summer days, vests are just £2 and shorts start at £4.
Colourful and cool stripy tees are £4 and will work well
with the jeans on offer, which come in a variety of styles and
colours for ten quid.
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Kids
When children grow so fast, Primark is the ideal place to come
for their clothes.
Cheap and fashionable, you will not feel the pinch of buying
a beautiful dress or cute trousers that they will outgrow in a
few months.
Sweet girls' dresses are of good quality, for just £6,
and the colours and designs are not unlike the ones you may see
in Mothercare or Adams, but are certainly a lot cheaper.
For all those dressing-up days, accessories are really cheap
at only £1.
Boys love jeans, and they are great at taking the playground
knocks and playtime grass stains.
At only £5 a pair, you can stock up on plenty of stand-by
pairs. Khaki trousers are always popular with boys and are also
only £5.
For the times where they look just like sleeping angels, pyjama
packs for both boys and girls are only £7.
Homewear
A newcomer to Primark, this was only launched in 2003.
This means the section is still evolving, but it gets bigger
each time you go back.
For the bedroom, sheets are £4-5 and duvets a very pleasing
£7-20.
Duvet covers come in a choice of contemporary colours and patterns,
ranging from £10 - £25.
Cushions are £3 upwards, and are of good quality.
You can find trend cushions, such as oriental prints, but to
make sure your sofa remains timeless, the classic cream ribbed
cushions are a better buy.
The bathroom range is ever-increasing with bath mats and accessories.
There is currently a small range of candles, starting at £1,
but this is sure to become a much bigger section in itself.
Room for improvement
There's often a price to pay with bargains and at Primark it is
the queues.
There is constantly a massive queue to try things on (which you
must do as sizing is a law unto itself in Primark), but they don't
seem to have realised they need more changing rooms.
Also, the checkout queues are ridiculously long. It seems they
are a victim of their own success.
A quick trip round some London branches
Leytenstone
This is one of the smaller stores, but is set in one of the more
attractive places opposite the church. It has: children's section,
nightwear, small mens and women's section. There is a tiny home
section with duvets, throws and cushions.
Mon-Sat 9am - 5:30pm
650-652 High Road, London, E11 3AA 0208 539 3972
Hackney
Set the on high street, with an M and S only a few doors down
this store is in good company. It is reasonable sized, with a
good women's, as well as underwear, section. Men's is also good,
but taken up a bit by the tills being on that side of the shop.
The shoe and bag areas often spring up a must-have.
Mon-Sat 9am - 6pm, Sun 11am - 5pm
365-371 Mare Street, London, E8 1HY 0208 985 2689
Bromely South
As Bromley South is such a great shopping centre, there are plenty
of other shops to visit here, but this is such a big store, you
might not get round to them. Split over two large floors, it has
a good nightwear and underwear section for women but the largest
department of all is the women's wear section.
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 9am-6:00pm, Thurs 9am - 9pm,
Sun 11am- 5pm
14 Bromley High Street, London, BR1 1JD, 0208 464 8394
Hammersmith
With a big baby section, this branch is the most family-orientated.
It has a good shoe section, but by lunchtime on a Saturday, it's
difficult to find a matching pair as they have been thrown all
over the shop. Men and women will both benefit from the good sections
on offer to them.
Mon-Sat 9am - 6pm, Sun 11am - 5pm
1 Kings Mall, King Street, Hammersmith, W6 OPZ, 0208 748 7119
Visit the website: www.primark.co.uk
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