a novelty that soon grows old (Shopping Areas in Winchester)

Member Name: shakeitout

Product:	Shopping Areas in Winchester
Date:	11/07/08 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: some good charity shops, easy to get around

Disadvantages: not enough choice, expensive

from a tourists point of view i guess that winchester could be said to have a unique and quirky shopping vibe. but from a commercial point of view, its not all that great. the high street has a lot of history and character but winchester just does not have the size to accomodate the bigger chains. our biggest high street retailer is debenhams and even the winchester branch cant compare with those you find in the bigger cities. the high street also has all your basics: whsmiths, boots, all the high street banks, next, marks and sparks, hmv etc. the brooks 'shopping centre' leaves a lot to be desired. some of the stores have shut down and been empty for months. the market is good for flowers, bric and brac, furniture. one of the best things about winchester shopping is the fortnightly farmers market which brings a bit of farmers class to the locals. on the pricey side, but a fun thing to do on a sunny sunday morning.
good array of charity shops in winchester if you are like that style of fashion. and then there are a handful of little independent shops and the antiques market (tho this has gone downhill in recent years)
so winchester is fun for the visitor who has come to see our historical city, but for a regular it soon gets mundane.

Summary: tourists will like it