Hot and stressful (Primark)

Member Name: Siamese

Product:	Primark
Date:	16/10/09 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap clothing

Disadvantages: The heat, the stress and the yelling!

Primark

I visited the Primark store on Northumberland Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne. It is a big shop, over 2 floors and contains womens, mens, kids and a homeware section.

The first thing that you notice when you go in is the overwhelming heat. It really is unpleasant. Within a few minutes you are uncomfortably warm (I have noticed this every time I have gone in, so this isn't a one off) and this means that even if you wanted to spend a while browsing, you end up leaving because you feel that you may pass out.

There are loads of things crammed in, which can make it hard to find what you want, and for some reason (I have only ever experienced this in Primark), people seem to think it is acceptable to discard clothes onto the floor after looking at them or just stuff them onto the nearest hanger. This means that the overall impression can appear like a big jumble sale and also means that the staff tend to wander round looking stressed and tutting loudly. There are invariably a few children screaming at the top of their voices (and who can blame them, the store is horribly hot and crowded, I feel like screaming myself) and many harassed looking parents.

The worst though is that some parents just let their young children run around, yelling at them now and again at the top of their voices ("Chantelle, Lambrini, get back here NOW before I leather you!!") but not really keeping an eye on them. Now if you don't mind potentially losing your child, that is your choice but please don't stand immediately behind me and scream like a banshee, I am guaranteed to jump out of my skin!

Are the goods in Primark worth the effort? Unfortunately no. There are certainly some okay things to be had but there is is also loads of cheap items which will never be the same after one wash. I am sure that there are lots of bargains to be had, but to find them you have to know exactly what you want (and more importantly, where it will be) and be able to rush in and rush out again. And as the queues are always enormous, this isn't likely to happen.

Please don't think after reading this review, that I dislike children. Quite the opposite, I feel really sorry for them as at least as adults, we have the option of not going to Primark. They are taken in whether they like it or not, and naturally become hot and fed up very quickly. I can totally understand that as I feel the same way. In fact, it might be a good idea for Primark to consider some kind of supervised childrens play area, so that they could actually have fun, and also allow their parents time to shop (surely with more time and not having to keep an eye on the kids, parents would potentially spend more too?). What I do dislike a lot though is people who scream at their children and nearly deafen me.....please, please stop doing this, it would make things much easier for all concerned!

If you are looking for a bargain, don't mind the heat, the clutter, the queues and the stress, then by all means pop to Primark. I however prefer to spend a couple of extra quid on that vest and go to H&M. It may be marginally more expensive but it will last longer and is an altogether less stressful experience!

I have given Primark 3 stars, as they do sell bargains, but the store itself is not conducive to happy shopping.

Summary: You need to be brave to brave Primark