Written by Wendy Evans
So, it’s that time of year again. Little Jonny must have the latest toy, or the most expensive trainers. People swarm to the massive shopping centres, jostling through the swarming crowds to fight over wrapping paper and Tulisa CDs. The never-ending Christmas playlist deafens us from every shop door and we seek solace in Boots for paracetamol to calm our thumping headaches, the legacy of listening to “Feed the World” and “Santa Baby” at full volume for the last four hours. We either sit on packed buses, nursing our sore tootsies whilst sat next to the worlds smelliest travel companion ever, or feed our headache whilst stuck in rush hour traffic. Surely there must be another way?
Well, yes there is! The good news is, right here in Plymouth, we have an alternative. The Barbican shopping area, which many may see as just a tourist attraction for the summer, is open all year round, and if, like me, you had not considered it as a place to find all your Christmas needs, then it’s time you thought again! I have just spent a leisurely afternoon discovering all it has to offer – and I have to tell you, I was pleasantly surprised! I found everything I could wish for, from toys, to books, to clothing and fabulous locally themed goods, and my purse was a lot less battered by the end of it! An additional bonus; I did not have to suffer the indignity of wrestling through a wall of angry, frantic shoppers! And what’s more, my ears were not assaulted by non-stop Slade and Band-Aid – no paracetamol were required in the making of this review! Please take a moment and find out how you too can actually enjoy your Christmas shopping experience…
Hitting the Barbican from the town end, my first port of call was the Pannier Market. Browsing in S.L Antiques, I found many items for the specialist collector. There was a great selection of coins, many rare, and all ranging in price from a few pounds to higher up the scale. That was one present off my list; one of my relatives is an avid coin collector, and no doubt the gift will down better than my usual offering of socks! Also in the Pannier Market was “All that Glitters”, a fab mix of vintage costume jewellery, antique and vintage dolls and prams, and a lot more besides. I was particularly taken with the cabinets full of pearl necklaces, but I am a sucker for jewellery – I was like a kid in a sweet shop! Rosie, the owner, was very helpful and let me browse around for as long as I wanted, answering any questions I had and helping me find items I would like. It’s a much more personal, tailored shopping experience than one you would find in a large department store, and you feel no pressure to buy (though I am sure you would find something to tempt you!)
Next stop on my meander was Plymouth Gin. Now, you could give your alcohol lover the usual, and pop a bottle of something into your trolley on the way round the supermarket. But how much more thoughtful if you bought them a tour of Plymouths very own distillery? Packages start from just £7 for a basic tour, so you don’t need to break the bank if you are, as many of us are this year, a shopper on a budget. If you are a bit more flush, you can treat them to a full “connoisseurs” tour, where they can have a tutored tasting, or even a “master distillers” private tour, where they can create their own unique recipe gin and take a bottle home with them! None of these packages cost more than £40, and will create a memory that will last a lot longer than the gin itself!
After pulling myself away from the lure of the booze (not that I am partial to a tipple, cough, cough) I popped into The House That Jack Built. This is like a mini mall, with some wonderful, quirky little shops. First port of call was Funky Poppy. This is a hobbyist’s paradise. Mmm, you think, yes I know Aunty Vera likes her craftwork, but I’m not buying her a bag of buttons for Christmas! But step inside and you will find gifts to tickle the sewing/hobby work fanatic. I was particularly impressed by the t-shirts, with some great designs that incorporate buttons into them. The owner tells me that each t-shirt is unique, and can include buttons of your choice – maybe you have an item of clothing that has sentimental value but is well past its best – you could use buttons from it to create a new, useful piece of clothing with a personal twist. There were even button necklace and earring sets! It made me think again about passing by a shop thinking “it’s not for me” – the range of items you could buy in this little shop were an unexpected and pleasant surprise. The House That Jack Built also has an art gallery, with some beautiful paintings (not prints) of local scenes. Ideal if, like me, you have friends and family who live outside the area and want to show them a taste of coastal life. Home Comforts was another lovely shop, with home wares galore – bunting, cushions and more, all handmade on the premises to your specification. And these items were all very well priced too, so it needn’t cost the earth to give a loved one a personalised item with meaning.
Now, for those of you who don’t know, my better half is an avid fisherman. Coming out the back end of The House That Jack Built, I found a shop I had not seen before, tucked away behind the main shopping area. The Art of Fishing is a huge store. It sells a range of traditional sea fishing tackle, but is mainly devoted to the more modern lure market. There is a comfortable sofa area to sit in and a local bass expert, Mark, on hand to answer any questions you may have. So you can rest your feet for five minutes whilst getting advice on what to buy your seafarer if, like me, you are a landlubber without a clue! So, that was the boyfriend dealt with!
Returning to the main Barbican shopping street, I found another fisherman’s paradise – Yarmouth Stores. This shop is packed to the rafters with good value, robust wear for fishing and other watersports, along with casual wear and footwear. With brands to suit all budgets, you are bound to find something in here for yourself or those in your life with a penchant for coastal living.
Coming out of Yarmouth Stores, another, rather alluring shop caught my eye. Now, those who know me will be aware I am more than partial to a bit of chocolate. So Chocaccino, with its mouth-watering display of handmade cakes and chocolate boxes drew me like a magnet! I defy anyone, chocolate lover or not, to pass the window of this shop without drooling! A choc-lovers paradise, there is plenty here to either treat yourself with, or give as a gift. They even provide a chocolate by post service, so friends and family further afield need not miss out.
This feast for the eyes set my tummy rumbling, so I decided I should find something to munch on to fuel the rest of my shopping trip. The Barbican provides eateries for every taste, budget and timescale. From eating on the run, to a relaxing sit-down dining experience, Barbican shoppers are spoilt for choice. There is Cantonese and Japanese cuisine available at the Noodle Lounge, if you want a more upmarket, unhurried meal. There are cafes and takeaways galore if you fancy something a little less expensive, yet still providing good quality, enjoyable food. Or, if like me, you are heating on the hoof, so to speak, places like Subway and Barbican Pasty Co. cater for that meal in a hurry. Prete’s Snack Bar is another venue that deserves a mention, where you can eat in or take away filling, delicious food. A large (and I mean large!) Cheeseburger is only £2.10, or the humble beans on toast only £1.50! So lunch does not have to break the bank!
Talking of breaking the bank, I know for myself that many of us are on a budget, but want to give quality gifts. There are two fantastic charity shops on the Barbican, St Luke’s Hospice and RNLI. St Luke’s sell second hand items as well as new “gift aid” items. I found a lovely pair of shoes in St Luke’s, new in their box, from designer label Farfalla; a snip at only £10! These would have cost me at least £70 if I had bought them new online – now, the only dilemma is whether I give them as a gift to my fashion conscious friend, or treat myself – well, it is Christmas! RNLI is another great shop; it sells new goods, many with a nautical theme. As well as getting bargain presents, you can feel smug in the knowledge that your gift will make a real difference to a very important charity, supporting lifeboats not just in our local area, but around the coast nationwide.
I ended my afternoons shopping by stopping at the Parade Antiques and Collectors Market. Wow. The place is like a Tardis (and coincidentally Dr Who fans must pay this place a visit – there is a cyberman on the wall!) I could not believe how much stuff was crammed into this place! Paintings, jewellery (a fantastic selection of used rings, ideal for engagement rings, no hint intended for the boyfriend!), war memorabilia, the list goes on and on. If you have someone to buy for who has a particular hobby or interest, give this place a try. From corgi cars to framed signed photos of film and sports stars, Gucci watches to Police Helmets, there is something in here to suit collectors of all kinds, and the prices are much lower than you would expect. So why go for that mass produced item from your town centre catalogue shop, when you can get something here with much more appeal at the same price?
I would like to include so many other shops in this review, but the list is endless! Baby shops, boutiques, wedding shops, art galleries … I think you get the picture; the Barbican has pretty much everything! So give it a try, you will find it a much more pleasant Christmas shopping experience than the usual one; no pressure, no rush, friendly staff and great value. So what are you waiting for?
One last thing – my first stop in the Barbican, The Pannier Market, had used an empty shop to create a nativity scene. Rosie, the owner of “All that glitters” told me how all the shop owners had found items to put in it; she had provided the sheep, someone else the baby Jesus and the manger. She didn’t think it was brilliant, but I have to disagree. It brought to mind the real reason we celebrate Christmas. The love Jesus showed for mankind by sacrificing his life for us. Now, it doesn’t matter if you believe in God, Allah, Mohammed, or have no faith whatsoever. Christmas is about showing those around you that you love them and care for them. It doesn’t matter if you spend a little, a lot, or nothing at all. Show those around you that you care for them by your thoughts and your actions, and enjoy the season of Goodwill.
So, in the words of Slade – Merry Christmas, Everybody!!
Also be sure to check out more unique gift ideas on our Plymouth Barbican Christmas Shopping Section… 🙂
