Shopping in Northern Ireland

hoganpoly · 04-03-2009 12:54am

Famous45 wrote: »

I drive up from Drogheda, although in recent weeks I've gone onwards to Sprucefield in Lisburn which is a further 30 mins away and a straight road basically the entire way. Was in Sprucefield today and again the difference between Sainsburys there compared to Newry is frightening.

Anyhow, to get into Newry, The A1 combines with the M1 just passed Dundalk, it's just one road the entire way, you'll come to 1 lane on the A1 approaching Newry and onto a roundabout the 3rd exit brings you down into Newry.

If you take exit 2 it will take you to Belfast direction and 10 mins outside Newry is a place named The Outlet(bridgewater park), many stores located there for clothes etc. and on the same road 20 mins further is Sprucefield.

When you come off exit 3 into Newry you'll do down a hill and eventually meet several traffic lights, on the right coming down the hill you will see the Quays shopping centre this is where Sainsburys is located - when you get to the bottom on the hill you will most likely see Debenhams 1st on the right. On the left is the Buttercrane Centre.

take it that the biggest sainsburys then is in lisburn?what about asda been to one in enniskillen but any nearer ones driving up this week

alastair · 04-03-2009 2:36am

hoganpoly wrote: »

take it that the biggest sainsburys then is in lisburn?what about asda been to one in enniskillen but any nearer ones driving up this week

If you're going to be in Sprucefield/Lisburn - the best Asda to head to would be the one in Andytown - Westwood Shopping Centre - the Kennedy Way (A55) turn off on the M1 heading into belfast - literally a few minutes up the road from Sprucefield.

Richard · 04-03-2009 7:00pm

alastair wrote: »

If you're going to be in Sprucefield/Lisburn - the best Asda to head to would be the one in Andytown - Westwood Shopping Centre - the Kennedy Way (A55) turn off on the M1 heading into belfast - literally a few minutes up the road from Sprucefield.

Put BT11 9BQ into your Sat Nav or google maps.

jaykai · 04-03-2009 7:59pm

esel wrote: »

20 minutes (even outside rush times) would be almost impossible! During rush times, you'd want to allow at least 45 minutes for this route.

That's because Newry is a city! Was designated as such a few years ago.

Great post! :rolleyes: Keep up that standard and you'll make a load of friends here.

Yeah Whateva!:p

clareboy75 · 05-03-2009 2:58pm

Dear All,
Has anyone heard of value tours travelling from Galway once a week to enniskillen. I got a flyer in the door and it just says to contact a Do they buy the shopping do you have to go etc anyone heard of this offer

dlambirl · 05-03-2009 5:10pm

clareboy75 wrote: »

Dear All,
Has anyone heard of value tours travelling from Galway once a week to enniskillen. I got a flyer in the door and it just says to contact a Do they buy the shopping do you have to go etc anyone heard of this offer

Why dont you ring the number on the flyer and find out?!

Moanin · 06-03-2009 10:57am

or Google it seeing that you are on the net!

jerrehpips · 06-03-2009 7:24pm

how far from kildare roughly is newry?
And where abouts in newry is the best place to find crates of cans of beer or bulmers/magners?
Sorry for changing the subject a tad bit there, we all have our first post sometime...:D

jerrehpips · 06-03-2009 7:25pm

how far from kildare roughly is newry?
And where abouts in newry is the best/cheapest place to find crates of cans of beer or bulmers/magners?
Sorry for changing the subject a tad bit there, we all have our first post sometime...:D

Tipsy Mac · 06-03-2009 7:28pm

jerrehpips wrote: »

how far from kildare roughly is newry?
And where abouts in newry is the best/cheapest place to find crates of cans of beer or bulmers/magners?
Sorry for changing the subject a tad bit there, we all have our first post sometime...:D

Kildare is quite large, could literally be anywhere. Go to www.aaroadwatch.ie and check out the routeplanner. I'd imagine 1.5 hours even if you drive like a nun should get you there. Sainsburys in Newry is probably your best bet.

jerrehpips · 06-03-2009 7:32pm

yeah maybe im a bit too broad there, from newbridge. Cheers

Sharp · 06-03-2009 10:33pm

Up in Newry today.

Didn't think much of TKMax. Compared to the ones down here.

Told Argos stopped doing deliveries to the south (in the argos beside Dunnes) over the border, they stopped last Tue. But she also told me they don't take orders over the phone, which was mentioned on here before but their is another Argos in the Quay's.

Debenhams having a 4 day 25% off sale(started today) got some nice Jeff banks shirts, asked if i wanted to become a card member for another 10% off, but had not got drivers license,id with me.

Saninburys very busy , a few empty shelves.

We arrived at 1030 and their was a 5 min crawl down the hill.

Warnings of blasting past the first roundabout ,would cause delays between 12 and 4 ,but we avoided.

The Outlet in banbridge, doing the final sell off of sale items.

The Great Outdoors/Regatta doing good discounts on jackets.

SteoTheGreat · 07-03-2009 10:56am

Some great deals in this Quicksilver in Belfast. Got some hoddies for half what you would pay in Dublin!

sitstill · 08-03-2009 2:12pm

So do we think last night's events in the North will affect the amount of north-of-the-border shopping trips that take place? I hope not.

Our man in Havana · 08-03-2009 3:00pm

It may affect the fair weather shoppers. It won't stop the hardcore shoppers.

gurramok · 08-03-2009 4:05pm

Won't stop me as this is not going back to the dark days.
It was an attack by a minority of a minority who are even not supported by the Republican community hence i see it as an isolated act of a tiny group of fanatics.

muffler · 08-03-2009 5:34pm

I can see this thread being derailed if the subject continues to be debated.

Basq · 08-03-2009 5:50pm

Take it to Politics gurramok.

alastair · 08-03-2009 11:59pm

I won't be taking the Saracen up to Sprucefield next time. Otherwise, no.

TarfHead · 09-03-2009 2:28pm

Next weekend, I may have time to call into Sainsburys (Sprucefield).

Excluding booze, and baby stuff, are there items to get that are always/usually better value than in Dublin ?

For example, toiletries (e.g. shampoo, deodorant, shaving kit), washing machine/dishwasher consumables ?

I don't do the household shop at home, so have no sense for what Dublin prices are for equivalents.

Thanks

Our man in Havana · 09-03-2009 2:57pm

Tea and coffee are half the price.
Washing powder, washing up liquid, toiletries are way cheaper.

the groutch · 09-03-2009 3:12pm

xchange rate has gone to 91.24p today, which will make it very close to 90p on the credit card rates

Racket · 09-03-2009 4:48pm

the groutch wrote: »

xchange rate has gone to 91.24p today, which will make it very close to 90p on the credit card rates

91.7 now, looks like my decision to leave the shopping from Friday til today has paid off

gurramok · 09-03-2009 6:57pm

TarfHead wrote: »

Next weekend, I may have time to call into Sainsburys (Sprucefield).

Excluding booze, and baby stuff, are there items to get that are always/usually better value than in Dublin ?

For example, toiletries (e.g. shampoo, deodorant, shaving kit), washing machine/dishwasher consumables ?

I don't do the household shop at home, so have no sense for what Dublin prices are for equivalents.

Thanks

Shampoo – Head & Shoulders 400ml
Tesco(IRL) – €5.99
Asda - £3.58
Sainsburys – £3.61 (2 for £5 offer)

Persil Small & Mighty Bio(IRL) 1.47L
Tesco - €10.49
Asda - £4
Sainsburys - £6.84

McCain Homefries Straight(IRL) 2.25KG
Tesco - €5.95
Asda - £2.52
Sainsburys - £2

McCain Home Roasts(IRL) 907g
Tesco - €3.35
Asda - £1.47
Sainsburys - £2.01

mcwhirter · 09-03-2009 9:40pm

gurramok wrote: »

Shampoo – Head & Shoulders 400ml
Tesco(IRL) – €5.99
Asda - £3.58
Sainsburys – £3.61 (2 for £5 offer)

Persil Small & Mighty Bio(IRL) 1.47L
Tesco - €10.49
Asda - £4
Sainsburys - £6.84

McCain Homefries Straight(IRL) 2.25KG
Tesco - €5.95
Asda - £2.52
Sainsburys - £2

McCain Home Roasts(IRL) 907g
Tesco - €3.35
Asda - £1.47
Sainsburys - £2.01

Please no more it is too depressing!!!!!
None of those republic prices are anywhere near even at the old exchange rate, its a scandal.

gurramok · 09-03-2009 10:02pm

Hehe yeah

I took those prices from the online websites of those 3 stores about 2 weeks ago, they are nearly always constant and accurate in store with special offers now and then bar Tesco who have a habit of putting them up here.

Best way is to look at their websites(all accessible, Tesco needs reg) and to bring your receipts from IRL stores with you in your pocket and compare when you walk around Asda/Sainsbury's stores.

Also, despite my lack of love for Tesco down here, even Tesco is alot cheaper up there(but not cheaper than Asda)! I don't have online account to check Tesco UK but you can compare in both stores when shopping. Asda is torpedoing their trade in Enniskillen for example as Tesco cannot match them on price.

felinefeelins · 10-03-2009 6:43pm

Was up a couple of weeks ago to enniskillen and tesco wasn't too far off asda, in fact, they were cheaper ( by 1p) on bottled water. was only 12p for 2l.........Stocked up, their veg was better value too, though I have found that theres little difference between nth n sth, you have to know your prices. Heading back up Monday morn early, do you know if both are open 24*7, I normally land at 5am on a sat and have the both tesco n asda done by 8'ish, in time to get a little booze, but someone mentioned that both don't open till 8am mondays ?

Our man in Havana · 10-03-2009 6:58pm

They don't open until 8am on a Monday due to the Sunday trading laws in the north.

Richard · 11-03-2009 12:05am

gurramok wrote: »

Hehe yeah

I took those prices from the online websites of those 3 stores about 2 weeks ago, they are nearly always constant and accurate in store with special offers now and then bar Tesco who have a habit of putting them up here.

Best way is to look at their websites(all accessible, Tesco needs reg)

Look at www.tesco.com/pricecheck and you can get results without reg.

shoppingexplore · 12-03-2009 12:17am

dfcelt wrote: »

Moheenly, From Kildare originally but now live in Dundalk, theres a Dunnes Stores not far from the Sainsburys in Newry. My advice would be to leave early, real early. Wife goes on a Friday morning before 11am & its just about bearable, on her return (about 12) the traffic is backed up on hill down to Newry & on dual carriageway its back to almost the Carrickdale turn off (about 5 miles or so). Saturdays are a nightmare & Sundays a complete disaster as opening is at 12.
Banbridge/Lisburn or Armagh might be worth considering. The extra driving time is offset by easier parking, less hassle in the aisles & fully stocked shelves.

Hi opening hours in Northern Ireland on a Sunday are 1pm to 6pm only. Its a legal constraint and not allowed to open on Easter Sunday either I think!

shoppingexplore · 12-03-2009 12:21am

machiavellianme wrote: »

Slightly OT but for those who buy up north, do you just use credit cards or do you have to convert euro to sterling? Not sure which works out cheaper.

Best way is to use credit card then you get the exchange rate of the day as shops are sometimes slower to respond to changes or use your cash card and take sterling out of the cash machine and again exchange rate of the day.

Santa Claus · 12-03-2009 2:52am

shoppingexplore wrote: »

Hi opening hours in Northern Ireland on a Sunday are 1pm to 6pm only. Its a legal constraint and not allowed to open on Easter Sunday either I think!

You're right that 1 is the official sunday opening time but they get around it by opening the stores at 12 on sundays but tills don't open till 1 so you've an hour to wander round filling up the trolley before you can buy anything !

milly4ever · 12-03-2009 6:14pm

A lot of people have commented on the poor customer service in the south. I was in Tesco today and asked an assistant about a certain product that I couldnt see on the shelf. I was shocked by the unhelpfulness and rudeness of her. Such a difference from the north. I certainly won't be back there, to be ripped off and treated that way. :mad:

ninty · 12-03-2009 7:57pm

shoppingexplore wrote: »

Best way is to use credit card then you get the exchange rate of the day as shops are sometimes slower to respond to changes or use your cash card and take sterling out of the cash machine and again exchange rate of the day.

You actually get the rate that applies on the day they post it,see your credit card bill for details(usually the next day with bigger outlets) Could be up to a week with smaller ones.

ninty · 12-03-2009 8:04pm

Pound Stretchers,near Dunnes Grocery in Newry, are selling a Mini Cast Iron Chiminea (outdoor woodburning heater)for £35.Same as the one in the Argos catalogue for €75

GG66 · 13-03-2009 6:58pm

Anyone know a good place to buy power tools in belfast. Need a chainsaw, mitre saw, jig saw?

thanks

DublinWriter · 14-03-2009 7:26pm

GG66 wrote: »

Anyone know a good place to buy power tools in belfast. Need a chainsaw, mitre saw, jig saw?

I know it's not Belfast, but I was in BN in Newry and they had electric chain-saws for £30. Can't vouch for the quality.

B&Q at the DaMolly outlet are offering 10% off any purchase in the two weeks after your initial purchase. The nice guy on the till gave us 10% on our first purchase today, so it might be worth a haggle!

DublinWriter · 14-03-2009 7:28pm

shoppingexplore wrote: »

Best way is to use credit card then you get the exchange rate of the day as shops are sometimes slower to respond to changes or use your cash card and take sterling out of the cash machine and again exchange rate of the day.

Agreed. As a rule, stick to using your CC or DC as the in-store exchange rates for hard Euros aren't as usually as a good as the actual currency market rate.

Also, be aware that many stores in NI don't take Lazer cards.

Richard · 15-03-2009 1:11pm

DublinWriter wrote: »

Agreed. As a rule, stick to using your CC or DC as the in-store exchange rates for hard Euros aren't as usually as a good as the actual currency market rate.

Also, be aware that many stores in NI don't take Lazer cards.

True, but I noticed that the big Tesco at Springhill, Bangor, had a sign up saying they accepted Laser Maestro. I can't imagine many southern shoppers make it as far as Bangor, but I imagine that this applies to all Tesco stores.

Also, given that most places will take Maestro, wouldn't that mean that all Laser cards would work in those places too? It's just that asking "Do you tale Laser?" might be answered in the negative because they probably won't know what a Laser card is.

nevaeh-2die-4 · 15-03-2009 1:18pm

milly4ever wrote: »

A lot of people have commented on the poor customer service in the south. I was in Tesco today and asked an assistant about a certain product that I couldnt see on the shelf. I was shocked by the unhelpfulness and rudeness of her. Such a difference from the north. I certainly won't be back there, to be ripped off and treated that way. :mad:

i used to work in tesco as a teen and the amount of retards and lazy bastards that would be asking where stuff is.

you have 2 eyes & legs , yea? now piss off. (thats what i said to some customer on me last day)

Wertz · 15-03-2009 1:56pm

nevaeh-2die-4 wrote: »

i used to work in tesco as a teen and the amount of retards and lazy bastards that would be asking where stuff is.

you have 2 eyes & legs , yea? now piss off. (thats what i said to some customer on me last day)

Funny the way the same minimum wage staff doing similar jobs in the North have the wit to know where something might be, and if they don't, to point them in the direction of someone who will, all the while treating the customer with some respect, cursory manners, a smile and no attitude, all for less take home pay and in considerably busier stores.
Your attitude goes a long way to explaining what's wrong with the whole shopping experience in the south....how the hell do you expect to keep yourselves in work when you treat people who are ultimately providing your wages in that fashion?
Retards and lazy bastards? In my experience that's usually the staff, not the customers in any given Tesco.

Chamonix · 15-03-2009 6:07pm

Hi, we are installing a house alarm and intend buying the equipment in the north. Can anyone advise where would be the best place to go? We would be driving from Dublin.

Spipov · 15-03-2009 7:02pm

anybody can recommend jewellery shops north? maybe even addresses?looking for an engagement ring and wouldnt mind going up...

Cheers

Tipsy Mac · 15-03-2009 8:23pm

Chamonix wrote: »

Hi, we are installing a house alarm and intend buying the equipment in the north. Can anyone advise where would be the best place to go? We would be driving from Dublin.

Try Maplin, look on their site first www.maplin.co.uk

Climate Expert · 15-03-2009 9:38pm

Congratulations to all the patriotic Northern Ireland shoppers.

You've actually made something change in this country for the better by your actions. VAT and alcohol tax will likely be reduced. This is the sort of economic stimulus this country needs.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/lenihan-admits-vat-error-cost-us-8364700m-1673385.html

dcr22B · 16-03-2009 3:43am

Climate Expert wrote: »

Congratulations to all the patriotic Northern Ireland shoppers.

You've actually made something change in this country for the better by your actions. VAT and alcohol tax will likely be reduced. This is the sort of economic stimulus this country needs.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/lenihan-admits-vat-error-cost-us-8364700m-1673385.html

Doesn't make a difference, I'll still buy it up North regardless.

devil-80 · 16-03-2009 10:32am

Anyone knows how looks prices on Tk Maxx in North and where will be the nearest to Sligo?

sweetie · 16-03-2009 12:03pm

where's the best deals for wine in newry at the moment? thanks

Cicero · 16-03-2009 12:04pm

Some updates- hopefully of use if you're travelling up:
Bangridge Outlet stores
Was travelling back on Sunday from Belfast- stopped off here at 12.30- approx 80 southern reg plates in the car park at that stage, all in having their coffee in Starbucks and Costa ..and waiting for the 1pm opening, so looking busy up there- carpark v.full by 2pm- hope this helps if you're thinking of travelling up.

2 for £10 on Linzt Easter eggs in the chocolate/coffee shop

Sainsburys have good value on Easter eggs- small cadburys- 3 for 5stg- however, they didn't have many large eggs in stock yet

saying that, southern supermarkets are making the effort this year (think they have 2 for 5 euro) which is much better value than the rip-off prices last year.

Sainsburys in lisburn- 'good steady stream of shoppers- mostly NI regs in the carpark but of course, mostly southerners in the wine section

' Saturday morning- good selection of everything but you could see the washing powers and razors starting to run low...

Wine: the're doing very good value on Oyster bay (white) wine- 5.71 (or very close to that) a bottle....the're selling off a lot of crap (IMO) Pinot Grigio brands though, so be beware..
I don't see the good deals on Cote Du Rhone that were there 6 months ago- in fact the French wine selection was poor in terms of choice..they have expanded their stock of new-world wines so if that's what your into, then you'll be pleased.

Cicero · 16-03-2009 12:07pm

sweetie wrote: »

where's the best deals for wine in newry at the moment? thanks

What sort of wine are you looking for- red/white/ new world etc etc Was in Sainsburys Saturday so might be able to help

Shopping in Northern Ireland

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