Shopping in Northern Ireland

rainbowtrout

felinefeelins wrote: »

in Roscommon, so I think enisskillen would prob b closer, hit it via Sligo, just waiting to find out if any of the shops are 24hr opening. bit of a nite owl so that would take the sting out of it. Hate shopping with a vengance:mad:

If you're going from Roscommon it's quicker to go through Leitrim through Carrick on Shannon either via
Drumshanbo - Dowra - Enniskillen or via Ballinamore - Swanlinbar - Enniskillen

I go up from Boyle every now and again and do it in about an hour and a quarter.

ASTRACLUB

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...&Submit=GO+%3E
£89.99/107euro

Hmm Which one you going for, Stella one or Guinees!!!
I think this is the best investment!!! I might go for one too!!!!

mailburner

ASTRACLUB wrote: »

Hmm Which one you going for, Stella one or Guinees!!!
I think this is the best investment!!! I might go for one too!!!!

stella for me
in the meantime i have my eye on this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300269504882&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123
postage is free from N.I
the seller just emailed me to confirm this
same capacity
im torn between stella and this

mailburner

Hi Liam,

the manufacturers of this product have a distribution centre in Northern Ireland so I can get one to you at no extra cost.

I will check stock with them on Monday.

Thanks for your enquiry.

Kind Regards,

Matthew Sharp

got this an hour ago

mailburner wrote: »

stella for me
in the meantime i have my eye on this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300269504882&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123
postage is free from N.I
the seller just emailed me to confirm this
same capacity
im torn between stella and this

kleefarr

I have just said to my wife that I think it would be worth our while making a trip up there to do our shopping for Christmas. I told her to make a list of everything that we would need over the Christmas period and we'll go up.

We're in Kilkenny and I think I could get up there and back on a tank of petrol. Would it be worth it? Where should we head for?

Morgans

I'd advise on avoiding newry. Call into Banbridge outlet centre for clothes/presents etc (12 miles further on the Belfast Road)

If you have room in the car you are driving up in, think about having a look at ikea.co.uk for ideas if you need any small furniture - you might as well make use of the facility if you are up in the north - and do the grocery shop in Sainsbury's across the way from Ikea in Belfast.

If not needing to go to ikea, then sprucefield would be the best spot for the groceries.

Of course, my two cents only.

irishguy

There is a huge tesco in banbridge (nearly as big a dundrum). I found them cheaper than Sainsburys (Also its the same stuff as you get in Tesco here so it makes shopping easier). You can also collect your clubcard points and they leave you pay in euro on your credit card (exchange rate was just under 1% worse than AIB,Dublin)

felinefeelins

rainbowtrout wrote: »

If you're going from Roscommon it's quicker to go through Leitrim through Carrick on Shannon either via
Drumshanbo - Dowra - Enniskillen or via Ballinamore - Swanlinbar - Enniskillen

I go up from Boyle every now and again and do it in about an hour and a quarter.

cheers, just up the road from you, so twud only be @ an hour n a quater

ASTRACLUB

stella for me
in the meantime i have my eye on this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...:X:RTQ:GB:1123
postage is free from N.I
the seller just emailed me to confirm this
same capacity
im torn between stella and this

Go for this one, Arogos one only have 2 compartment and this one is a better combination,

ASTRACLUB

We're in Kilkenny and I think I could get up there and back on a tank of petrol. Would it be worth it? Where should we head for?

My choice as this is your first trip:

Leave very early in morning and straight to IKEA, Get a big car, the biggest...
Spend IKEA till midnoon, get out from IKEA and across the road is Sainsbury, spend couple of hours and come back to OUTLET on the way back and spend say till 6 or 7 and take a journey back when it is dark and enjoy the drive (In day, you will see extra traffic)
If you love boozing, Sainsbury NEWRY has all the offers some of which are not available in other sainsbury.
Dont miss IKEA, IKEA is great!!!!!!!!!!

brettmirl

kleefarr wrote: »

I have just said to my wife that I think it would be worth our while making a trip up there to do our shopping for Christmas. I told her to make a list of everything that we would need over the Christmas period and we'll go up.

We're in Kilkenny and I think I could get up there and back on a tank of petrol. Would it be worth it? Where should we head for?

Yeah you'd make it up and back no bother. Did the trip up and back from KK myself a few weeks back.

Get up as early as you can! Aim to be there for 8am or so. Head for the Outlet - http://www.the-outlet.co.uk/

And for food shopping, head for Sainsburys in Lisburn. Which also has an Argos and a toy shop beside it. Across the road is http://www.sprucefieldcentre.co.uk/

If you are buying food, pick up some of those insulated bags you can get at Superquinn and Lidl...they will keep the food chilled for the spin home.

mailburner

I dunno
the ebay one seems to be more for wine drinkers
or cans
im a corona or tiger man

ASTRACLUB wrote: »

Go for this one, Arogos one only have 2 compartment and this one is a better combination,

ala4now

It would be insane NOT to shop in Newry. Every single item you'll Buy will be cheaper than down here. Before you go, make a list of all the things you want. Now tear the list in half and Give one half to your wife and keep the other half. Get two Shopping trolleys and get shopping. Buy bulk. theres no point in buying one or two items here and there. Imagine the ice age is coming. thats how much you've got to shop. check out Sainsbury's web site and superquinns website. Compare prices and see where you can save mega bucks. Buy spirits (huge price difference). Go to Debenhams for clothes and M & S. you'll save Hundreds. Unfortunately those very shops are ripping us off down here. For a Jumper £22 €74?????? Go on a Monday early. Hope this helps. Enjoy.

muffler

Dont know if this has been mentioned before or not but another wee tip is that if you are in NI. shopping and you had intended to get something from Aldi or Lidl then please it get in the north as it will be around 10 - 15% cheaper.

In fact the stores located in the border towns will even accept euro.

Dooish

ASTRACLUB wrote: »

CASE1:
As i am in Navan, lads were saying EnnisK ASDA is cheaper and good. so, went there, left around 12 (its 4 weeks ago) on saturday, reached there 13:00, found the size very small. Went in and found everything not as cheap as i was expecting but yes, clothing is different in quality, tried some booze but was not very much impressed. Got bored and got out in half an hour. Decided to go to NEWRY..another hour and was in NEWRY, for some reasons could not go to sainsbury (Car sunroof malfunctioned) and return empty hand with subway meal :pac::pac:

Case2: On the way to IKEA very next week, spent day in IKEA, bought bunk bed, great quality, than straight to Sainsbury across the IKEA..near roundabout, bought E288 worth booze (Sol, Corona, Cobra, Bacardi) and some clothings, all toys were half price so bought few good ones. however, found few brand less than you find in NEWRY Sainsbury

Concluion: ASDA EnnisK is smaller, Sainsbury are better and cheaper. NEWRY SAINSBURY, (though packed) but has all the booze brand and more offers just beacuse NEWRY Sainsbury has the highest revenue of any sainsbury in the world (Irish Politicians..take a note,,this money could have been spent in EIRE...stop greed) and has more offers.
One of my friend told me that ASDA in STRABAN is 4 times bigger in size than in EnnisK, so will try that.
Heading off to richersound and sainsbury next sat.

Conclusion

asda cheaper than sainsbury for the last 11 years

enniskillen is the biggest in NI

ShaunC

I have to agree with that, I went to ASDA this weekend and after doing our shopping we compaired the prices to TESCO at home and after spending 220 pounds it worked out we saved about €135.00. petrol cost €18 for the return trip to Enniskillen from Mullingar. P.S. there is a great bookshop opposite woolworths.

northdubgal

Hi all,

We are heading up tomorrow morning for our grocery shopping. We always go to Sainsburys in Newry but we were wondering if Asda would be cheaper?

Which would you choose Asda or Sainsbury's and which town would you go to?

oconn

information overload......maybe this is already listed but we are having our first baby in feb ( if not sooner :pac: ) so would it be woth heading up from corkk to get pram/ buggie / cot / mosses basket etc etc ( I dont even know what i need) but i presume the like of mothercare would be better value even allowing for a big drive, Where is the nearest place i can get all these things Newry ? I priced one buggy here was E730 and in England E585
I dont mind the drive if i know im saving....
thanks

dunser

Hi

Can anyone advise on TVs, I am looking at buying a new LCD about 37 or 42 inch and if I buy up north as the Prices are better will i have any problem setting up here.

can any one recommend good place to buy aswell

andyeire

northdubgal wrote: »

Hi all,

We are heading up tomorrow morning for our grocery shopping. We always go to Sainsburys in Newry but we were wondering if Asda would be cheaper?

Which would you choose Asda or Sainsbury's and which town would you go to?

http://www.mysupermarket.co.ukThis site allows you to do direct comparisons between shops.

I would think Asda is best but YMMV.

If you are in North Dublin Enniskillen is probably the one to go for .

ASTRACLUB

Hi

Can anyone advise on TVs, I am looking at buying a new LCD about 37 or 42 inch and if I buy up north as the Prices are better will i have any problem setting up here.

can any one recommend good place to buy aswell

NO, no problem

Richer soound www.richersounds.ie look for a seperate thread on richersound
curry also good option but check the stock before going
My preference is RS

ASTRACLUB

asda cheaper than sainsbury for the last 11 years

enniskillen is the biggest in NI

Straben (Newly opened) is morte than the double size of Enniskellen

Asda is not cheaper than Sainsbury (possible matching rates with one or other item variation),

lalique

Hi

I have also been told that if you are looking at a new kitchen or larger items, it you can produce a VAT invoice from ROI then they won't charge you VAT at 17.5%, but wait until they have quoted you the price first and then tell them. Thinking of ordering my new kitchen from NI and then hiring a van and collecting it.

DonJose

oconn wrote: »

information overload......maybe this is already listed but we are having our first baby in feb ( if not sooner :pac: ) so would it be woth heading up from corkk to get pram/ buggie / cot / mosses basket etc etc ( I dont even know what i need) but i presume the like of mothercare would be better value even allowing for a big drive, Where is the nearest place i can get all these things Newry ? I priced one buggy here was E730 and in England E585
I dont mind the drive if i know im saving....
thanks

Congrats on the bundle of joy. You will save big time in the North, last year we bought a Quinny Buzz here for €800, same one costs £350/€415 in Mothercare in the north.

We were in Belfast last week, we found ToysRUs in Sprucefield had a good selection of prams and baby gear. Also check out Argos.co.uk as they are a lot cheaper up north than in the south. Cork to Belfast is a pretty long trip, we stayed overnight and we just travelled from Mullingar. You can get a room with breakfast in the Holiday Inn Express in Belfast for £65.

mrgaa1

a couple of other places are Armagh - sainsburys - portadown - Rushmere.

but like all places you need to be there early for parking. Newry is also an early start for parking

andyeire

ASTRACLUB wrote: »

Straben (Newly opened) is morte than the double size of Enniskellen

Asda is not cheaper than Sainsbury (possible matching rates with one or other item variation),

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/jun/09/supermarkets.uknews

It is technically cheaper, Sainsbury's comes in 4th.But the difference is far from huge.I would say go to your closest store and the savings in fuel and travel time will even it out.

DonJose

DonJose wrote: »

Also check out Argos.co.uk as they are a lot cheaper up north than in the south.

Same pram in Argos.ie costs over €60 more than in Argos.co.uk, I've given up shopping in the south :eek:

Argos.ie - Mamas and Papas O-Zon Pram - €299.99
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/3763296/Trail/searchtext%3EPRAM.htm

Argos.co.uk - Mamas and Papas O-Zon Pram - £199.99
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3763296/Trail/searchtext%3EPRAM.htm

ASTRACLUB

Agree with you, even though this info is more than 18 months old,


Here is the new data saying ASDA is cheaper, AGREE and thanks
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/Administration/Supermarket-Price-Checker.aspx

TarfHead

andyeire wrote: »

If you are in North Dublin Enniskillen is probably the one to go for .

Huh ?

North Dublin to Newry - less than an hour, presuming the tailback from The Quays isn't too bad .

To Enniskillen would be the guts of 2 hours, and the same back again, and no motorway to drive on. You would want to be getting serious savings between Sainsburys and ASDA to justify that overhead. You would, IMHO, be as well to stick to the M1/A1/M1 and go on to Belfast city if you want to go to ASDA.

Check www.asda.co.uk for NI locations.

Meathlass

Heading up to Armagh or Banbridge in the next week or so to buy alcohol and party stuff for Christmas and house parties over the New Year. I also have shopping lists from other people so I'm wondering is there a limit on how much alcohol one person can buy for personal comsumption? As of now I'm looking at 40 bottles of wine, 10 slabs of Bulmers, 10 of Corona, and at least 20 bottles of spirits.

Travelling from Navan and have decided to avoid Newry but not really a big fan of Armagh town. The supermarket is ok but the rest of the shops in the town aren't great. Banbridge sounds good but we'll have to go cross country through Monaghan to avoid Newry. Is that are best option. We will probably go mid week and be there at 9am when stores open.

milly4ever

ASTRACLUB wrote: »

Straben (Newly opened) is morte than the double size of Enniskellen

Asda is not cheaper than Sainsbury (possible matching rates with one or other item variation),

Asda is definately cheaper. Winner of britains lowest priced supermarket for the past 10 years www.thegrocer.co.uk.

andyeire

andyeire wrote: »

It is technically cheaper, Sainsbury's comes in 4th.But the difference is far from huge.I would say go to your closest store and the savings in fuel and travel time will even it out.

TarfHead wrote: »

Huh ?

North Dublin to Newry - less than an hour, presuming the tailback from The Quays isn't too bad .

To Enniskillen would be the guts of 2 hours, and the same back again, and no motorway to drive on. You would want to be getting serious savings between Sainsburys and ASDA to justify that overhead. You would, IMHO, be as well to stick to the M1/A1/M1 and go on to Belfast city if you want to go to ASDA.

Check www.asda.co.uk for NI locations.

Yes you are correct what i meant to say was if you wanted to get an Asda Enniskillen would be your best bet.Kilkeel is closer but you have to go through Newry to get to it.

andrew1977

Meathlass wrote: »

Heading up to Armagh or Banbridge in the next week or so to buy alcohol and party stuff for Christmas and house parties over the New Year. I also have shopping lists from other people so I'm wondering is there a limit on how much alcohol one person can buy for personal comsumption? As of now I'm looking at 40 bottles of wine, 10 slabs of Bulmers, 10 of Corona, and at least 20 bottles of spirits.

Travelling from Navan and have decided to avoid Newry but not really a big fan of Armagh town. The supermarket is ok but the rest of the shops in the town aren't great. Banbridge sounds good but we'll have to go cross country through Monaghan to avoid Newry. Is that are best option. We will probably go mid week and be there at 9am when stores open.

I have never been questioned about the amount of alcohol i presented at the till for purchasing and judging by the trolley loads of booze being wheeled out the door of Sainsburys yesterday, you would think a ban on alcohol in the South was about to be enforced.
Stock it up and pile it high.. you may need a new suspension for your car though before you get home considering your shopping list of booze:D

gollyitsolly

Just read on Breaking news.ie that John Gormley, minister for the enviroment, wants the government to stop the flow of shoppers to the north! What can he realistically do?

Our man in Havana

All they can do is reduce VAT and taxes.

They can't block the roads or seize peoples shopping.

JohnCleary

Read somewhere that UK VAT is being reduced to 15% - Does this also apply to NI? If so, it's going to make shopping accross the border even more attractive

smashey

gollyitsolly wrote: »

Just read on Breaking news.ie that John Gormley, minister for the enviroment, wants the government to stop the flow of shoppers to the north! What can he realistically do?

They could try do what the UK did and introduce something to stimulate the economy rather than loading us with more taxes. Somebody needs to go to Leinster House and spell it out for them. :mad:

Our man in Havana

JohnCleary wrote: »

Read somewhere that UK VAT is being reduced to 15% - Does this also apply to NI? If so, it's going to make shopping accross the border even more attractive

It applies to the entire UK which includes NI.

brettmirl

gollyitsolly wrote: »

Just read on Breaking news.ie that John Gormley, minister for the enviroment, wants the government to stop the flow of shoppers to the north! What can he realistically do?

And the full story from http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhidqlgbgbau/ :

Environment Minister John Gormley says the Government will have to look at ways of stemming the flow of shoppers from the Republic to the North.

Mr Gormley was speaking amid speculation that the British government is set to cut VAT rates by 2.% as part of an economic stimulus package.

The move could exacerbate the existing price differences that are prompting many consumers from the Republic to travel north of the border when shopping.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin today, the minister said it was important for Ireland the UK to ensure their actions are "in sync" to ensure neither gains a competitive advantage.

Look at the piece in bold. Does that mean Gormley is looking for a VAT reduction here too?

RiverWilde

Thank God this isn't 1988 - we won't be having our stuff confiscated by customs officials. We are part of a common market. If the retailers here cannot compete well that's just tough.

We wanted independence from Britain - we got it - (an awful bloody mistake in my opinion) - we (business) found that competing with the UK wasn't possible - so we campaigned to get into the EEC - common market and all that. Now that the trading situation is as the retailers wanted it they whine! We cannot compete waaaaaaaaaa!

As a family man with a limited budget - I and my wife will be doing all our shopping in the north from now on.

As regards this vat reduction in the UK - what on earth is stopping retailers there from just pocketing the 2%?

Riv

domkk

uk goverment vat rate cut by 2.5% from 1st Dec for the next 13months.
shopping in the north just got cheaper.

wake up mr Gormley!!

Our man in Havana

UK VAT cut confirmed from December 1 2008 for 13 months.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7746241.stm

ASTRACLUB

Quote:
Originally Posted by oconn
information overload......maybe this is already listed but we are having our first baby in feb ( if not sooner ) so would it be woth heading up from corkk to get pram/ buggie / cot / mosses basket etc etc ( I dont even know what i need) but i presume the like of mothercare would be better value even allowing for a big drive, Where is the nearest place i can get all these things Newry ? I priced one buggy here was E730 and in England E585
I dont mind the drive if i know im saving....
thanks
Congrats on the bundle of joy. You will save big time in the North, last year we bought a Quinny Buzz here for €800, same one costs £350/€415 in Mothercare in the north.
We were in Belfast last week, we found ToysRUs in Sprucefield had a good selection of prams and baby gear. Also check out Argos.co.uk as they are a lot cheaper up north than in the south. Cork to Belfast is a pretty long trip, we stayed overnight and we just travelled from Mullingar. You can get a room with breakfast in the Holiday Inn Express in Belfast for £65.

For online shopping of all brands http://www.kiddicare.com and enjoy

DonJose

Bond-007 wrote: »

UK VAT cut confirmed from December 1 2008 for 13 months.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7746241.stm

Thats great news, even without this VAT reduction I would still do all my shopping in the north. Our leader don't have a fukking clue on how to run our economy, they've increased taxes and VAT which will harm the ecomony as people will look to shop else where. Just saw the following headline, we have a pack of headless chickens running this country.

ISME: Government has no coherent economic plan

http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/mhidqlgbsngb/

DonJose

Dyflin wrote: »

Unlikely, it would mean a drop of 6.5% just to be on same rate as UK, then there's the currency difference (or lack of!). Gormley will probably just get another massive tax hike on petrol to try and keep us from making long journeys :mad:.

Even if they reduced VAT to 15% you would still save money shopping up north. The shops in the south need to lower their prices inline with UK shops to have any effect.

TarfHead

DonJose wrote: »

The shops in the south need to lower their prices in line with UK shops to have any effect.

But isn't below-cost selling illegal ?

The UK top tax rate is increased to 45% on incomes over GBP 150,000.
We pay 42% (41% plus 1% levy) on incomes over EUR 35,400.

Isn't one of the Government mantras that we are a low-tax economy :rolleyes: ?

DonJose

Cross-border shopping set to rise as British VAT cut confirmed

The rate of VAT in the North is set to fall from 17.5% to 15%, British Chancellor Alastair Darling confirmed in today’s Pre-Budget Report.

The tax reduction, set to be introduced on December 1, is likely to further encourage shoppers in the Republic to make to journey North in an effort to save money on their Christmas shopping.

“I … propose to cut VAT from 17.5 to 15% until the end of next year,” said Darling this afternoon. “This VAT reduction will come into effect next Monday on December 1.”

“The reduction in VAT lowers the amount of tax paid on tobacco, alcohol and petrol.”

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mhidqlqlkfcw/

aquascrotum

Meathlass wrote: »

Travelling from Navan and have decided to avoid Newry but not really a big fan of Armagh town. The supermarket is ok but the rest of the shops in the town aren't great. Banbridge sounds good but we'll have to go cross country through Monaghan to avoid Newry. Is that are best option. We will probably go mid week and be there at 9am when stores open.

You're right that the rest of Armagh apart from Sainsburys isn't up to much, though it is (slowly) improving. A new M&S foodhall has opened up at Spires retail park (beside an Argos) and there are some pretty decent locally owned homewares stores.

There is no direct route from Navan - Banbridge avoiding Newry. One option could be do your groceries in Armagh (no need to go through Newry) and cut across to Banbridge from there and see some of our fine norn irish scenery . In fairness I'm really shocked the grocery shoppers haven't caught on to Sainsburys Armagh in a big way - I was there again at 2 last Saturday and had free reign in the place, a few Dub accents floating about but absolutely nothing like to the carnage at Sainsbury Newry or Tesco Banbridge.

TarfHead

Bond-007 wrote: »

They can't block the roads or seize peoples shopping.

I've a mental image of the Taoiseach and the Minister of Finance standing on the side of road north of Dundalk holding signs, like Fathers Ted and Dougal, with messages like 'Down with that sort of thing' and 'careful now !' !

Our man in Havana

TarfHead wrote: »

I've a mental image of the Taoiseach and the Minister of Finance standing on the side of road north of Dundalk holding signs, like Fathers Ted and Dougal, with messages like 'Down with that sort of thing' and 'careful now !' !

Anyone good with photoshop?