Monkhouse Schoolwear

I came to Top Form today (Monkhouse) to take a look at the school uniforms, and just smart clothing, they do sell standard shirts, which can actually be used as basic clothing for work/​business.
This store is probably one of the poorer stores in the Top Form/​Monkhouse franchise, as this store looks very old fashioned from the outside, with a blue sign, and 2 steps going in, hence making the store inaccessible to wheelchairs, as well as looking very old-​fashioned and easy to miss.
They is wheelchair access in this store but it is very poor, the back entrance can be a hassle to go through, with a small step, and then it can be quite hard as a good bit of the store is upstairs.
Top Form pride themselves on price, they say «It won’t be beaten», but to be honest I think it is the opposite! The service here is very slow, and quite poor really, the staff don’t seem energetic and passionate about their role, it just seems like they are counting down the seconds to leaving, rather than giving customers a pleasant experience, so the price certainly doesn’t warrant that.
It is very easy to spend a lot here, especially for people looking at school uniform, with a large amount needed now by schools, the prices here, even just for a black V-​neck jumper can cost £19, when the same jumper can be bought for £4 — £8 from Asda George, or at least the lower end of the £10 mark at other uniform retailers, such as Broadbents in Middleton, with the latter seeming better quality.
I was also very disappointed with the staff and service for another reason, after buying 3 jumpers at £19 each (already very expensive), I noticed (after arriving home) that they was a mark on the jumpers (all 3) and they didn’t look to be in great condition, so after spending this price and putting up with the slow, poor service I was very upset.
The store is also quite an hassle to get to if you are not in Rochdale city centre at the time, it is a good walk from the Centre Retail Park (although not too far!), down quite a busy, main road, and if you are avoiding the city centre, that is probably the best place to park.
I really wouldn’t recommend this store as it can be hard to get too, and the service and price, certainly doesn’t make it worth the trip!

I have come to this store to buy Brownie uniform for many years, but have never bought school uniform as I thought it a bit expensive. When my daughter started secondary school, buying some of her uniform from here was compulsory. I went in towards the beginning of the school holiday, dreading it, thinking it would take ages.
A young girl helped us go through the list and it was quite painless — she even ordered a couple of items that they didn’t have in stock. I was in an out in an hour. Make sure you go at the start of the school holiday, as it is chaos at the end.
I have always parked on the main road and used pay and display parking. It was only this year that I discovered they have two parking spaces at the back.
I have knocked off two stars, because I feel it is a bit of a monopoly and a bit expensive. However, the staff are really helpful. The clothes are good quality too.