The Oasis

Turn left onto memory lane… I was back in the Oasis market the other day and my god it has not changed a bit!
The last time I was in here I was buying flared chord trousers and band posters… but today it was all change and i was having t shirts printed for a dj set… with the wonderful diva face of Mariah Carey… obviously. T shirt printing is only £8 if you take a T-​shirt with you which I think its a stupidly good price and the quality was excellent. I felt fabulous and glamorous wearing it so thank you T shirt printing lady!
Inside the market you can also get a load of hippy stuff, jewellery, bongs and smoking paraphernalia, band merch and other random treasures and delights. This is a place for the more alternative amongst us really but not exclusively. If you haven’t been go and have a look as its an untouched and unchanged part of the city that is quickly becoming modernised everywhere you look. Never change Oasis market… never change.

Raw classic x2 packets.
Raw Tips x2 books.
Brown Sugar tobacco wraps (cognac/​honey and chocolate mint) x2 packets of each.
Poppers (Amsterdam Gold, if available) x2 bottles…
…My same basic shopping list for any and every visit to The Oasis for the past 8 – 10 years now. All of the above mentioned items can be bought at other locations for (in most cases), a few quid less… the overpricing isn’t the point, this is The Oasis.
«I don’t belong here anymore», echoes through my head as I hurry past the stall selling mobile phone accessories. Rounding the corner, I glance over at the two large tables, where games of Magic the gathering are played, in front of enthusiastic onlookers, next to the PVC clothing stall…
Up the small staircase I pause to study the flyers for punk gigs that were once a staple of any good Friday and/​or Saturday night out, but now wouldn’t be caught dead at, (too loud!). At the top of the stairs, I perform the usual ritual… Turn right, past the hand sprayed clothing guy, circle slowly around the vertical display cases, staring starry eyed at the wooden one hitters, tie dye phallic shaped glass pipes of varying sizes, chillums, foot high bongs, rips, tips, papers and grinders, that I have no intention of purchasing. I wait my turn at the counter, looking up at the studded leather belts, dog collars and wrist cuffs, once admired and often purchased in my youth as a 14 year old snot-​nose. Now just makes me think of itchy rashes around my arms and neck caused by backs of studs going rusty…
…At this point I could lie and say, my mind was taken back to a more innocent time in my life… I was about 10 years old, on a Saturday shopping trip with my uncle, he took me in to The Oasis market for the first time and at this very counter I stand at 23 years later, waiting to buy weed wraps and fuck juice, with my very own unearned pocket money I bought my first ‘cool thing’. A Motorhead bandana for £3.99. This item was cherished and worn (Willie Nelson style) on a regular basis for several months, after which it was pinned to my bedroom wall. Along with the bandana, I purchased 100, 1 pence studs with paper fastener style backings, for the purpose of studding the words ‘VERY METAL’ into the back of a denim jacket, it was also around this period I saw The Young Ones for the first time. I had convinced my mom to let me cut the sleeves out of the once school jacket for the warmer months, with the argument, «its to small for me anyway», I wore that jacket to death… though all of the above is true, I don’t think it while waiting to buy ‘pervy perfume’. (My girlfriends name for poppers!)…
…The lady in front of me had finished buying her e-​liquid, I was already aware I would be leaving The Oasis a happy bunny today. It takes me no time at all to scan the shelves behind the counter and see they have all of what I want. I make my selection, pay the guy with my unearned J.S.A. money, distribute the items over various pockets in my overcoat and depart. Walking back the way I came, past goths, metalheads, mods, hippies, nerds, scenesters, hipsters and nostalgia junkies. I am subconsciously reminded that, though The Oasis has changed a lot over the years, the people that shop there, haven’t!
Non of us belong here, its the reason we’re here…
I know, wanky ending, sounds like something Charlie Brooker would write… Fact is, I was stoned at the start of this ‘review’, so it had my full attention. Now i’m not and I can’t remember what magnificently profound point I was going to make with the set up line, «I don’t belong here anymore»… Just know this, it would indeed have been both splendid in its magnificence and undeniably profound!

Bless the Oasis Centre!
When I landed in Brum as a fresh faced gothy student, the Oasis was my Mecca for all things clothing. With piercing studios, tattooists and multiple levels filled with all garments and accessories required for that discerning alternative look — it was a one stop shop.
The Oasis has changed over the years; sometimes I go in and it takes all of my money, sometimes I come out empty handed (wallet safely in pocket). The stalls change very regularly, but if you pop in — you might find a bargain!
Currently rocking some vintage, gaming, accessories and clothing shops; it’s well worth a mooch around if you’re in town. They also have a sweet café selling tea, coffee and homemade cakes on the top floor. The nearest equivalent to the Oasis Centre is Afflecks Palace in Manchester and the ethos is very similar. It presents a great way for small businesses to get their stock on the shop floor (and not just online).
With the festive season creeping up on us all, treat your favorite alternative person to something relevant to their interests from the Oasis!

Aaah, the sweet smell of nostalgia. The Oasis was my Saturday hide-​out as a teenage rock chick, and I remember many a happy morning spent drooling over boots and crooning over jewellery and clothes.
This afternoons visit wasn’t’ much different, to be fair!
The Oasis is a little gem of creativity and quirkiness in the heart of Birmingham. From jewellery to some of the most stunning footwear I’ve ever seen, through to tattoos, body piercing and hand sprayed tee-​shirts, there’s plenty to see.
It’s a maze, so quite easy to get lost in there (some things never change). The stall holders that we spoke to were really friendly and happy to chat, and you can certainly get things there that the high street is simply to dull to offer! It’s really worth a visit.

The oasis market is a huge shop with three floors. It sells alternative clothes, shoes, phones and phone accessories, posters, jewellery and almost any unique, alternative and eccentric knick-​knack! On the lower floors there are piercing and tattoo shops which are very professional but quite expensive. It is a big store with lots of little stores in it that sell anything and everything. The staff are keen to help and very nice to the customers. It’s interesting to go and have a look at the oasis market even if you’re not looking to buy anything. Try not to get lost though as it’s a huge store!

The Oasis Market has changed a lot over the years. To begin with, the main focus was on alternative fashion, but now, I feel as though it’s become a little too trendy and cool. It has lost that edge for me personally. However, I am secretly a big fan of tie dye T-​shirts, (shh! Don’t tell anyone!) So I’ll often be found mooching around the hippy section. I sometimes just go in to smell the incense too.
There’s also lots of retro clothing which sometimes captures my attention, but I’m not sure if the place is as quirky enough as it should be, and focuses a little too much on the same clothes, rather than offering a range of different styles. I also think that the Oasis could improve by having more areas that don’t neccassarily stock clothes, maybe cafes? Sweet shops? Retro gaming shops?
I’ve been to a market similar to the Oasis in Manchester called Afflecks, and this place hits the nail on the head for me. It has very large fancy dress shop, and most of the places inside are much more diverse than the Oasis, such as a hemp clothing company, a cute Japanese bags shop, and a 50s diner.
The Oasis is okay, don’t get me wrong, but most of the clothes sold there are easily found at other shops. I think The indoor market needs to reclaim its uniqueness by selling other products and different styles of clothing. There’s also a bit too much focus on goth clothing, which doesn’t really do it for me.

Ahhh, memories! The Oasis was my teenage shopping mecca. I could go there with my pocket money and buy all sorts of countercultural tat. It was where I first discovered «vintage» and discovered that some people enjoy wearing PVC maid’s outfits.
As an adult, The Oasis still holds a certain allure. It is nice to know that there are still folk who wear tie-​dye trousers made from hemp.
The Oasis is a mash up of market and department store. There are stalls offering tattoo services, piercings, skate wear, fetish wear, vinyl records, cherry red DMs…
…you name the subcultural trapping and you’ll find it in The Oasis.

I love Oasis markets — I’ve been coming here on and off since I first discovered it’s existence as a teenager when I’d come and purchase stripy flourescent tights and rubber bracelets. Nowadays, I’m more interested in the independent jewellery sold there, and the vintage/​rockabilly attire that seems to have cropped up in shops like Blue Banana.
Full of small independent sellers, the landscape of the shop changes surprisingly often (presumably the recession has a significant part to play there) but no matter who is there, you know you’ll find things that are loved by the indie/​alternative people, music snobs will peruse the vinyl selection downstairs, and teenagers will come to get their first piercings or tattoos.
Once you’ve wound your way through all the different shops head right up to the top floor where there’s a café doing standard British food like chips and pie, and the odd bit of greasy spoon fare too! (yum!)

Oasis Market is a great place to browse/​buy alternative fashion.
It has a few floors, each with different things on such as: band tshirts, jewellery, general alternative fashion tops/​trousers/​skinny jeans/​hoodies etc, Hair dyes, makeup, piercings+ tattoo parlour, games, figurines, incense, belts/​belt buckles, posters, shoes and much much more.
I would highly rate This market if you are into your alt fashion: D
You can get great bargains here when the sales are on!
The staff are always friendly and ready to help you find exactly what your’e after.
My boyfriend had his first tattoo here, and the tattooist staff were really helpful to get the design right for him, they were reassuring and friendly :)
Definitely one of Birmingham’s best shopping places.

The Oasis market truly is a haven away from the hustle and bustle of Birmingham city centre, complete with everything remotely alternative that you might need, from piercing and tattoo parlours to gothic jewellery sellers, dresses, Doc Marten’s boots and t-​shirts with your favourite bands and ‘comedy’ slogans printed on them. It operates much like a normal market, with each department being a self-​contained independent merchant.
Prices vary depending on what you’re after and who you buy it from, but there are always a few reduced to clear bargains on offer if you’re willing to look for them.
With the proposed demolition of the city block into which the Oasis is carved, it’s not certain how much longer this fabulous place will be with us. I imagine most of the merchants will find a new home within easy reach of town, but it’s worth checking the market out while it’s still in its original layout. Like so much else that offers something a little different, and that this town has gotten rid of over the years, Birmingham won’t know what it’s got until it’s gone.

I used to visit this store weekly when I was younger. It spans across several floors and is a great place to find somewhat alternative clothing that you may well struggle to find in main high street shops. The staff are always helpful and friendly. I also had my tongue pierced here many moons ago (have since taken it out) and the man was professional, thoroughly checked equipment and I felt very safe having it done here. I have only visited a few times since then with a friend who buys a lot of her clothes here and the place is still a great place to find things you might not find elsewhere.

if you are a skater/​goth/​emo etc, then this place will be your heaven.
it is based over a few floors, all filled with different stalls selling clothes, jewellery, shoes, and a place to get a piercing.
some things are pricey, but then those into alternative clothing will already know that these type of clothes cost a fair bit.
there really is a wide range of stuff, icluding the top brands like new rock, raven, criminal damage, animal to name but a few.
there are great accesory stalls to pick up cheap necklaces, bracelets and jewellery for all types of piercings, facial and body.
you can buy make up in colours not always available on the high street, along with funky coloured hair dyes.
there is a really wide range of band wear, offering t-​shirts, hoodies, hats, bags, scarves. these are really well priced.
most, if not all of the stalls offer a changing area, unlike most inside market type places, so if you have come a fair distance, you can try things on there, without going all the way home only to realise it doesn’t fit.
it really is a colouful place, filled with lots of great characters. the stallholders are really chatty, and encourage you to have a good look, without being pushy.
highly recomended.
this place ROCKS.

If you’ve ever been into line dancing, skating, surfing, dressing up, hippies, goths or bands at any point, you’ll probably have been for a visit to the oasis markets.
It’s spread over a few floors, which are all inside. Most of the stalls are set into each corner of the place. There’s loads of stuff in here, most or nearly all of it now new stuff. There used to be a couple of vintage stalls in here but think they have moved on now.
There are a couple of women’s fashion stalls selling stuff like punky fish, big flares and little tops. There’s a couple of Levi holders with lovely phat flares and skinny jeans, really good prices too. There’s smoking paraphenalia and some kinky stalls selling fetish stuff. On the ground floor there are a couple of shoe stalls, perfect for probably the best and widest choice of Doc Marten’s in Brum, these are pretty pricey though.
Head downstairs for the surf stalls that sell; animal, roxy (quiksilver) mambo etc, there’s a good choice of clothing and there is often a sale on. Not many accessories here, but good for rucksacks.
If none of this takes your fancy you can get a tatoo or pierced while you visit. Always worth a look even if it’s a little bit out of the main hub now the Bullring’s been built.