Wilkinson

This is possibly the most poorly stocked Wilkinsons I have ever been in. I wanted some aspirin and they didn’t have any, I looked at the labels under the empty spaces on the shelves and unless I’m being stupid they hadn’t just run out (which would hardly be surprising considering the hangovers the Special Brew fuelled tramps of Bedminster must suffer every day) they never even stocked aspirin. In fact, out of the half a dozen items I went in looking for, which I know I could have picked up at the Wilkinsons in town, I came out with one — some chewing gum. Like the nearby Bedminster Pharmacy, the store is quite big but the shelves are all really far apart and really quite bare, so much so that they could probably fit it all into somewhere half the size. Finally, the staff are interesting to say the least.

I first fell in love with Wilko as its devotees fondly term it while working in the grim hell that is Bridgend, South Wales. Wilko was the only good thing about Bridgend, especially for somebody earning 10 grand a year who is as vain as I am. But even though I don’t get to it as often now I am in Bristol, I am always reminded why I should when I trawl the aisles and spot all the fantastic deals. They have all the main brands of toiletries but they are always cheaper than in Boots or Tesco and often things like L’Oreal and Olay creams are less than half-​price. It’s worth buying all your toiletries and household cleaning products here even if you do have to lug them back to the office after a lunchbreak simply for the money you save. THey also do home and cookware, garden stuff and pet food as well as toys and crafts for kids. If you haven’t paid a visit yet, you are in for a treat. Just don’t expect to be served quickly as they never have enough staff on the tills.

Wilkinson’s is brilliant for cheap toiletries, expect to pay 20p less for your deodorant for example compared to what you would pay in somewhere like Boots. It has a perfume counter, good place to buy well known scents such as CKOne at a bargain price.
I don’t shop here very often however as when I see the long queue it makes me usually turn around and walk out. I guess from that statement you can probably tell I’m not British as the English do seem to like a good queue.
Definite bargains to be had.

Alongside Poundland and Pound Stretcher, this store is one of East Street’s most frequented. Expect to find a multitude of bargain priced goods here, from halogen heaters, to cosmetics to stationary (and much much more.) And on the subject of halogen heaters, these are quite simply amazing. A couple of winters ago, when I was living in a particularly cold house, I purchased a said heater from Wilkinson’s for about £10 and was amazed at the light and heat it transmitted — it saved my life! (well my health, at least.)
And if you’re a fan of penny sweets, Wilkinson’s is the place for you. Think Woolworths in its heyday. Glorious.

Everyone loves Wilkos! And the East Street branch in Bedminster, Bristol is a great example of people wanting to save money on their household shop. Pretty much every item in the shop is at a greatly discounted price compared to it’s equivalent in the larger supermarkets. This is a really good place to buy cleaning products, household goods, garden hardwear, stationery and toiletries. Beware of the queues at the tills though. Sometimes there are only one or two people serving and almost a scrum to get to checkout! Why not try Wildo’s if you are feeling the effect of the credit crunch and are trying to tighten your belt?