Top 10 UK winter sales destinations
With the ‘January Sales’ starting earlier each year it’s time to start planning your bargain bagging spree. Here are Britain’s hottest spots to pick up some cool winter deals from the city’s with the biggest sales and the factory outlets with great discounts all year round.
Glasgow
Scotland’s style capital bulges with high street stores offering big discounts, designer goods in the Merchant City and big malls like Buchanan Galleries (www.buchanangalleries.co.uk) selling cut price fashions. Don’t miss Glasgow’s leafy West End with its quirky boutiques and independent shops. And for a real bargain at any time of the year check out the boisterous Barras Market where charismatic stallholders try to sell you anything from trainers to flowers and quails eggs to gold plaster cherubs.
More on Glasgow shopping (www.glasgowstylemile.com/)
Birmingham
The Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham has cemented the city’s reputation as one of the best shopping destinations in the UK. You’ll find big discounts in the New Year at high street stores and at the futuristic Selfridges shop. Inspired by a Paco Rabanne sequinned dress, this landmark building, with its flowing lines, is the last word in shopping chic. Head down before January for a preview sale with up to 75% off homewares.
More on shopping in Birmingham (www.visitbirmingham.com/shopping/)
Cardiff
Cardiff is a growing destination for bargain-hungry shoppers and with a combination of designer brands, high street names as well as more individual and independent shops, there's something for everyone. The big story in 2009, though, is the opening of the new St David’s (www.stdavidscardiff.com/) shopping centre. Visit Cardiff in January for big discounts in this box-fresh shrine to shopping.
More on Cardiff shopping (whycardiff.com/shop-in-cardiff.html)
Brighton
Fashionable, funky and loaded with style, Brighton & Hove has everything you could want from a bargain hunting trip. The bustling criss-cross streets of the North Laine make a great hunting ground for unique retro, vintage and kitsch finds. And bargain hunters will love the weekend markets and Brighton Marina for discount shopping at factory outlet stores.
More on Brighton shopping (www.visitbrighton.com/site/shopping)
Bicester Village Outlet (Oxfordshire)
Bicester Village (www.bicester-village.co.uk) in Oxfordshire is home to over 120 luxury outlets offering up to 60% off previous seasons' collections from the world's leading fashion and lifestyle brand names including, Anya Hindmarch, Cath Kidston, DKNY, Diane von Furstenberg, Matthew Williamson, Max Mara, Smythson and Radley.
Wedgwood Factory Shop (Stoke-onTrent)
Stoke-on-Trent is famous as the home of British pottery. Extremely desirable tableware and crystal means high style at unbelievably low prices every time you visit. Add an abundance of great gift ideas at reduced prices, with up to 75% off, and you'll see why discerning shoppers head for the Wedgwood Factory Shop (www.wedgwood.com/GB/Clearance_Outlet#TN) for the ultimate bargain.
Dalton Park (North East England)
Dalton Park (www.dalton-park.co.uk ) is the North East's biggest retail outlet centre, just off the A19. There are 60 stores, all the best brands at up to 50% off the high street price, including M&S outlet, Next Clearance, Gap Outlet, adidas, Designer Room, Joseph, Levis, Nike Factory Store, Regatta, Pavers, Tog 24, Mountain Warehouse, Crabtree and Evelyn and home ware makes like Oneida and Sleepmasters, all within 55 acres of parkland.