Cheap Frills (Peacocks)

Member Name: Shazzy

Product:	Peacocks
Date:	20/03/02 (821 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap

Disadvantages: There isn't one in Crewe!

Since moving to Crewe, I haven’t been able to get to a Peacock’s store regularly. There isn’t one here. Well, not that I know of anyway. Oh hold on…. no, there definitely isn’t one! I’ve just checked the store locator on the website and there’s no Peacocks in Crewe. Bother! There’s one in Crayford though. I bought some undies in there last week, so I know it’s definitely there. Not that that’s very helpful to me, Crayford’s a loooong way from Crewe.

I used to visit Peacocks a lot when I lived in Manchester. The Stretford branch to be precise. I even bought stuff there. They’re cheap and the clothes aren’t bad quality really, for the money. I mean, if you pay £15 for a jacket, you can’t expect it to be Burberry can you? But as far as I’m concerned, if it does the job and looks ok, I’m happy. I don’t want to be wearing the same jacket for the next 10 years anyway, so if it only lasts a season or two, fine. For 15 quid that isn’t a problem.

I’ve bought all sorts of things in there. Jackets, trousers, skirts, t-shirts, knickers and bras. Even a suspender belt for £4 that I thought was brilliant value for money. I’ve only used it once though, so it could well turn out to be a pinger. You know, the ones that let go of your stocking at inappropriate moments. Like when you’re standing in a hotel reception getting all excited about the naughty weekend ahead. The bras and knickers are pretty good though. There are some lovely frilly things that you’d expect to cost a lot more (bras about £6, knickers about £3) and the practical cotton type knickers sold in packs of 3 (about £3) have always served me well. They go up to relatively large sizes too. I doubt you’ll find a 44EE there, but I’m a 40D and find plenty of bras in my size. Mind you, I will say that the last bra I bought in there started to creak after a while
. Yes, that’s right. Creak! I don’t know how or why, but whenever I lifted my right arm, it made a creaking noise. Very odd.

My daughter loves Peacocks. She’s 13 and wants lots of clothes, and at Peacock prices, I can afford to give her a decent wardrobe. Actually, the quality can’t be all that bad either, because she’s got a good few things that she’s had for about 2 years now (she doesn’t grow very quickly – such a tiny mite) and they’re still going strong. The fact that some of those things are sparkly dresses that she wouldn’t be seen dead in now, doesn’t count. Some of the things are worn regularly, and she likes them.

I’ve bought my son a few bits from the men’s department too, although he’s a funny old size and it’s difficult to find things that fit. Anyway, the point is that Paul really knows how to give his clothes a thrashing but still they haven’t fallen apart. Well, not all of them, anyway. I did get him a jacket there once that was a complete waste of money. The pockets split within a few weeks and then the zip said goodnight. Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all.

I made a mistake with a denim dress once, too. Thinking about it now, it wasn’t really me, so perhaps there’s a reason why it split. Thankfully, it split before I went out. I say thankfully because it split right up the bum! That wouldn’t have been a pretty sight, believe me! I should’ve taken it back really, but I had visions of the shop assistant telling me that my bum’s too big and… oh… well, it is!

My daughter once bought a pair of shoes from Peacocks. They were ok. Nothing sensational and they didn’t last longer than a season, but they were only about £8 or so, so once again, you can’t really complain. She liked them but I doubt she’d have worn them the following summer anyway. Wrong style, wro
ng colour, blah blah blah. They do some nice slippers too.

They don’t only do clothes though. They have homeware things too. Duvet covers (that’s duvet, not eiderdown), pillows, towels and other bits and pieces. I’ve never bought any of those things there though, so I can’t vouch for the quality or lack of it. I did notice a lovely looking bed set last time I was in there though, so I might just get it next time I’m near one of their shops. It was only £11.99 too, which is good for a double quilt cover and pillowcases. It’s cerise and plum and… well… nice.

Believe it or not, Peacocks have been going since 1884, when Albert Peacock founded a penny bazaar in Warrington. That’s right, eighteen-eighty-four! That’s a long time. Evidently they moved to Cardiff in the 1940’s when the current period of expansion started. These days they employ over 5000 staff and have 340 stores throughout the UK, none of which are in Crewe and two of which are in Crayford and Stretford.

Peacocks have their own store card and gift vouchers are available in denominations of £1, £5 and £10.

The stores themselves are usually nicely laid out, and in my experience, the staff have always been friendly and helpful. The changing rooms are decently sized, even for somebody with a bum like mine, with full length mirrors (as would be expected in a changing room but not always found) and a stool so that you can try things in the sitting down position. Pity I didn't do that with the denim dress!

Anyway, that’s it. Peacocks offer decent value for money and if you’re lucky enough to have one where you live, pop in and have a look around. Either you’ll find something you like, or you won’t. Just don’t blame me if you don’t.

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