Watford Sports stores! (Sports Shops Elsewhere)

Member Name: Si_Masters

Product:	Sports Shops Elsewhere
Date:	04/02/01 (1356 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excelent number of sports stores!

Disadvantages: None.

I was surprised to find out that there wasn't a place other than here to write about the sports stores of Watford! But I have to tell you about them, and here seems as good a place as any.

I have lived near Watford all of my life, and those living near me will have most probably visited 'The Harlequin' shopping centre - a huge multi level place of shopping heaven for all those who like a good days out in the commercial world of spending! Watford is a great place for fans of the 'sport store' with a fair number of top name shops to choose from!

There's a JJB sports! It used to be called Olympus sport, and then changed to Sports Division but I think they got taken over by JJB. It's a good store in terms of pricing, and definitely the place to buy your football team shirt! It's got the largest range of trainers and football boots in Watford I think - all at competitive prices.
They don't seem to be as organised as some other stores - kind of untidy in a way, but it's a good place to shop. Mostly selling sportswear and less casual clothes. Located just outside the Harlequin centre itself - fronting onto the high street. 4/5 stars.

We have a 'Real Sports Store'! I think that's what it’s called anyway. I'm not a fan of this rather small shop which seems to sell nothing but cricket equipment. It's rather old-fashioned looking and no one seems to be in there ever! They must make some money I suppose - probably like a Sunday football and cricket team kit supplier kind of store. Not that great in terms of variety, but they look as though they are a specialist store - so customers of it must be quite pleased with it. Only been in a few times, can't really give it anything other than 3 stars.

Sports Soccer is another store, but this one is inside the centre - I think of it as the messiest shop in Watford! Everything is muddled untidily all over the place,
but it's probably the most popular shop of all due to some incredible prices! There are many chains of Sports Soccer across Britain, the Watford one is a typical 'looks like a bomb hit it' kind of store.

As I say there are some amazing offers to be had - with excellent savings on trainers (although you'll be hard pushed to get the size you want), discounts are around 25% compared to most other stores. I've bought some socks from there for just £3 for 3 pairs of Adidas!!! They have superb football prices, and many Umbro polo shirts for under £10! Excellent value here, just a struggle to manoeuvre past the hoards of people to the long queues - it's worth it though. Donnay and Umbro are the main brands here. 4.5/5 simply because of the excellent prices!

First Sport. They haven't got the largest range of clothes or footwear but offer the most stylish clothes from different brand names like Kickers, Fila, Nike, Reebok and Adidas. The shop is far classier than the rest, although they have the most expensive prices. There are lots of exclusives for First Sport - many new Nike trainers just on offer here (however they are normally £80 +). I like the general atmosphere of First Sport - very nice place to shop. It's not a huge store, but it's by far the most stylish! 4 stars out of 5!

JD Sport. A top name sports store that has branches nearly everywhere in the UK! I think they're rather good in that they have a child section as well as their main store - this is a very obvious USP, and children are always going in and out of here. It's a very bright store, with lots of different coloured products on sale. I like the way the products are set out, use of space is excellent. The prices are reasonable, but there are many identical products that are cheaper in Sports Soccer and JJB. I found the staff is very helpful here, and that JD sports actually stands for John David sports - as shown on a pla
que on the wall! 4 stars out of 5 here!

Have I missed anything out? I hope not, but there are many other department stores like Trewins that also have a sports department - it's fairly small but has a good range at good prices. I bought a badminton racket from here – they seem to have the best range in actual sports equipment like fitness machines, rackets and sports bags. I think that is all, but if you know of any others - they may have slipped my mind - I'd be happy to add them! T
My favourite of the lot is probably First Sport despite Sports Soccer getting a higher rating.

As you can tell, Watford is a great place to buy sports equipment and clothes from, so come by and visit some time!

Hope it was of use.

Simon

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