Alexanders Of Markethill

Some people are wise and if they need Christmas decorations will buy them after Christmas when sales are on. This was my reason for visiting Alexanders of Markethill today. Not for myself I might add, as I don’t even bother putting up a Christmas tree, however a friend wanted to stock up for next year.
Alexanders of Markethill is a large, beautiful household items store over two floors with an upstairs café. Throughout the year it sells a range of dinnerware, cookware, home accessories and offers an interior design service. Coming up to Christmas more than half the shop is taken over with Christmas stock including trees, decorations and artisan foods.
It’s fantastic to walk around and the Christmas items are stunning — some of the best I’ve seen. However, even with a sale on, I still think it quite expensive. For example my friend purchased a Christmas wreath and a decorative thingymajiggy for across the top of her fireplace — even in the sale this totalled over £110.00! I would never spend such money on a couple of Christmas decorations no matter how beautiful.
Anyhow, if you’ve money to burn you’ll love it. My favourite items were a couple of reindeer made out of what looked like papier-​mâché newspaper cuttings — to be honest I’d be inclined to have a go at making them myself rather than buy them. Therefore for me, a trip to Alexanders would be more of an inspirational field trip, however for others it’s a great place to pick up some fabulous, festive items.
Unfortunately I didn’t try the café but it was busy which I take as a good sign, so I will definitely return to try the café and have another browse. I might even be tempted to purchase some wine glasses or pots and pans on my next visit…

Just a little review update here, after receiving a message via Unilocal from a fellow ‘patron’ about my prior review of Alexanders, stating that «All companies are fighting hard to stay afloat in the current financial climate but comments like this can result in local family run businesses disappearing from our province altogether»
well I just felt I needed to clarify my review, I have been into Alexanders many times over the years and I base my reviews on my experiences on the day, service, price and all other things we UnilocalERS should do. Now certainly Alexanders is an impressive store, in fact there are 2 stores in Markethill, one selling furniture and the other household items which includes the café on the 1^st floor, in all my visits I could honestly say I have never found a bargain, the stock is overpriced, but yet I still visit the store, as I prefer to shop with local traders where possible, but my pocketbook is not bottomless so value for money always wins out! I stand by my original review, the café is expensive and the few times I have eaten in it were not great.
Alexanders need to drop their prices a bit and buy bigger tea pots.