It ASDA be ASDA . (Asda)

Member Name: thehonesttruth

Product:	Asda
Date:	14/09/09 (89 review reads)
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Asda is my main supermarket, being only a 15 minute walk away from my home . There is a Sainsburys nearer, but I don't find them as competitive for price, so Asda it is .

The store I am concentrating on in this review is located on Front Street, Arnold, Nottingham

The first thing you're going to be wanting to know is how to get there . Now, I'm pretty sure you're not going to be coming from far and wide if you're visiting my local shop , but it can be accessed via several main bus routes from Nottingham City Centre, as well as from Carlton, Calverton, Gedling and Mapperly . If you prefer to walk, it's within reachable distance from Redhill, Daybrook, and Bestwood.

If you're driving, Arnold is signposted from main roads, and ASDA itself has a large carpark, which I have rarely ever seen full, except for at christmas . If for any reason it is full, there are a couple of free short-stay car parks in Arnold. Asda itself has both disabled and mother and baby spaces .

From the carpark, access to the store is available via steps, two lifts, or a ramp down the side of the building .

There are three entrances to this store - a smaller one at the side of the store just at the bottom of the lifts and stairs, or a larger main entrance on front street itself . There is also another entrance that heads through the clothing section,however this is the least convenient for grabbing a trolley. Trolleys are stored close to the main entrance, and there is a selection of small and large trolleys (with or without seats for toddlers) as well as trolleys you can attach baby car seats too, trolleys with a car seat type thing attached, and trolleys for wheelchair users . In addition, the store has a number of scooters with front baskets that can be used by the less able .

Whilst some of the larger Asda stores in the area now offer free trolleys, this particular store does not, so remember to take a pound coin for the trolley with you.

Baskets for those only wanting a few items are also located near the main entrance, and can also be picked up behind the tills . Sadly, these aren't the new modern baskets with the wheels you can pull along, but the old fashioned ones you actually have to carry , and at busier times these stacks get depleted and you do need to patrol the tills to find one.

Within the store there is a tobacco/lottery/magazine concession, as well as a recently added photo developing area . Located near the side entrance, they have a free phone for a local taxi company which picks up in the rear carpark, and there is also a taxi rank at the front that requires no booking .

They have ladies and gents toilets, as well as disabled and baby changing facilities . I have usually found them clean, however on a couple of occasions they have been a bit mucky, with hand dryers out of order and a rather unappetising chocolate log left behind in the bowl.

So, what do they sell ? We'll start with the clothes - the store sells it's own George brand clothing,and has a fairly decent selection of childrens, ladies, and menswear . I find the prices very reasonable, and some absurdly cheap - last week, they had an offer on wear you could get two pairs of ladies trousers suitable for office wear for £8, which was very reasonable . They are also pretty good for childrens school uniforms, although they don't sell shoes .

The selection of styles is very current and changes from week to week, and they have a decent selection of sizes, with ladies clothes running from a size 8 to at least a size 24. Most of the clothes I have purchased hear have been of good quality , however I have a couple of issues with their lingerie - every underwired bra I have purchased from them , I've had the underwire start coming out and digging into my armpit after a couple of months . Overall though, decent value and a nice range .

They have a constantly varying offers section at the front of the store, that changes with the time of year . Currently, its packed full of suitcases, barbecues, picnic plates and all things summery . They have some decent offers here, such as a 3 peice suitcase set for £25, but it does change quite often so something that is there now might not be there next week - in fact, I fully expect it to be full of halloween stuff soon!

For all your home entertainment needs, they sell books, DVDs, CD, computer and console games, as well as televisions, stereos and other electronic entertainment . While prices here are reasonable, I do tend to shop for these sorts of things on Amazon with the miles I earn here.

They then have kitchen and homewares, selling everything from bedding and duvets to microwaves and weighing scales . Prices on some items are dirt cheap, for example four glassed for 75p , and I would actually recommend that anyone moving into their first home come and have a good browse around here, as you can pick up some great bargains to get you started out . Actually, this was where I went when I first moved into my house, and spending about £50 I sorted myself out with pans, plates, bowls, cutlery, kitchen knives, chopping boards, scales and utensils .

The smaller kitchen electricals in this section have some great budget brands - a kettle for £5, a slow cooker for £8, and a toaster also for £5.

They also sell bath towels and bed linen, as well as a range of stylish accesories such as vases, scented candles and pot pourri . Prices are again excellent, although I recommend you stay clear of the smartprice duvets - the filling shifts over time and you get holes in the outer duvet cover .

Onto the food - the fruit and veg section is fresh and vibrant, selling all the usual and some unusual produce . They even sell some products, such as onions,mushrooms, and carrots rady prepared for the lazy ones amongst us, and a range of fresh potted herbs .

I have Guinea Pigs who adore fresh veggies, and I can come here and get plenty for them very cheaply, and occasionally treat them to something a little more exotic . Asda also sell a range of ready prepared fruits in little bags at 4 for £1, ideal for lunchboxes, or, in my case, each bag being a guinea pig meal!

The dairy section here is also pretty impressive - especially the cheeses . I adore cheese . I would have babies with cheese if it were possible, and then eat them like some evil hamster mother. Asda have a wide range of cheeses, a variety of cheddars of varying strengths, some brie, some lovely ripened blue cheeses and deliciously salty Feta and Halloumi.

They sell a wide range of milks too - all your skimmed, semi skimmed and full fat, as well as creamy jersey, sweetened and unsweetened soya milk, goats milk, and a variety of milkshakes .

They have a full aisle, both sides dedicated to yoghurts and puddings- including budget and low fat ranges,as well as all thhose trendy probiotics .

They also sell a full range of cooked and sliced meats, pies and pasties, fresh meats (including venison!) and fresh meals that simply need a little cooking in the oven or microwave at home .

Tinned and packet good are in abundance, everything you need is here, and Asda have a particularly impressive world foods aisle, offering up polish and jamaican items that might be hard to find elsewhere . They also have an indian section selling huge bags of spices so much cheaper than those little fiddly jars, so this are is worth looking in to save a few quid if you cook at home a lot .

The freezer section is decently stocked with a range of items, with froxen veg and meats, fish, vegetarian meals and ice creams .

The bakery area is extensive, selling all the usual packaged bread and cakes, as well as a selection baked daily . I very much recommend trying a loaf of crusty tiger bread!

There is also a deli section where you can have meat freshly sliced for you, or pick up a ready roasted hot chicken . Here you can also pick up a freshly made pizza made the way you want it with toppigns of your choice . As far as I know , Asda are the only supermarket to offer the customised pizza option, and I do think it's a brilliant idea .

They've cunningly put this right next to the alcohol section too, so you can be easily tempted into picking up a few tins to kcik back with,and at Asda this is often very cheap due to some great offers . They have a selection of canned beers and ciders on offer with two crates of 15 cans costing just £16, and also 3 bottles of wine for a tenner, so whether you're a lager, cider, or wine drinker there is something here for you .

They have a very wide selection, including some excellent real ales and abbey beers, alcopops, and spirits . Something to suit every taste .

I have to mention the Smart Price range of foods - asdas cheap and cheerless range, at least as far as packaging is concerned . The majority of products in this range are excellent value for money, although a couple are really pretty dire . This range can be found right across the store - from foods, to beauty products and homewares .

The checkouts here can be a nightmar when it's really busy . There are four self service tills, although its best to avoid these if you are buying a large amount of reduced or alcohol items, as these tend to require assistance .

Queues on the tills can be long, but the staff are always polite and happy to offer to help you with packing . I've never had a rude or grumpy person serve me on the checkout, and in fact a couple of them even recognise me still from when I worked part time there some 4 years ago.

However, I would absolutely avoid you try to shop here in the few days leading up to christmas. It looks like a scene from some disaster movie, crowds everywhere, people shouting over each other, and shelves decimated of stock. You'll find yourself with your nose stuck in some sweaty baboons armpit, so if you can, try to shop online at www.asda.co.uk then . The store is not a 24 hour store, so does not offer the advantage of being able to shop at 4am when it's deserted .

I have one last word of recommendation- if you can get there, early afternoon is a good time to shop for your evening mea,l, as you'll find a lot or products reduced to very cheap prices as they need to be sold that day!

Overall, I recommend Asda, although I do think at times they could benefit from more staff, and also from longer opening hours . The store is open from 8am until 9pm every day except sunday, when it is open from 10-4. I do think these opening hours could reasonably be extended in the month leading up to christmas to make it a less hellish experience . I also think they should invest in some of those nifty little baskets with the pull along handles - other stores have them and my daughter loves to pull them along and help with the shopping .

Overall though, Asda is my favourite supermarket for decently priced food, a good product range across all areas, and friendly and effecient service .Recommended!

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