Since moving to Belfast four years ago, my choice of supermarket has changed. Simply because asda do not operate over here.

When i lived in scotland, i would rarely be found shopping anywhere else other than asda, but now sadly i found myself having to look around for alternatives.

I tried all of the supermarkets in the area, and was not overly impressed with any of them. The ones that were cheaper, were not such good quality, and the good quality were not very cheap. Even the tesco that was close by to me was small and not a great store at all.

So one day when on a trip to bangor, i spotted a 24hour tesco I decided that we were going to head out there at the weekend for a nosey.

I dont buy into all that female/shopping stuff, like its an addiction, or substitute for anything else, but when i walked into that tesco, i have to admit, i was in heaven!! or at least as close as i may ever get!!

i do support my local shops, and i do appreciate them, but there is nothing like walking into a big supermarket that sells pretty much every type of everything you need under one roof. I could walk round for hours. I always find that the food is much cheaper in tescos than elsewhere. I find the fruit and veg is really fresh, and again the variety is excellent.

There don't seem to be as many BOGOF offers as in some stores, but this is evened out by the consistent low pricing policy. Dont get me wrong, there are lots, just not as many as other stores i've been in. The loyalty card scheme, phased out by so many other stores, is good. Periodically i get my vouchers, and a few bonus money off/extra points ones.

The baby club is brilliant - an informative magazine and money off coupons. I have just recently also joined the healthy living club and the toddler club, both offering similar mags and coupons relevant to their schemes.

As well as the assortment of food on offer, the range of clothes
is excellent. I remember going into a tescos in glasgow years ago and sniggering at the clothes they sold. but they are so up to date now and reasonably priced. Its hard to decide what to buy, the quality is excellent and they last well.

The facilites are good, baby changing rooms, clean toilets, nice cafe. The stores are well lit and clean. The only downside to 24hr stores (not unique to tesco) is that the shelf filling has to be done during trading hours (obviously!) and it always seems to be when i am there. I do think that a saturday afternoon would be peak time, and therefore a bit of a silly time, but perhaps they have their reasons.

All in all though, i think that tescos have really done well in bringing their stores bang up to date, in line (and perhaps ahead) with all of their competitors, offering the customer just what they want.