Primark’s The Spot
March 24, 2010 14 Comments
Yesterday was a quite momentous day for me. Not only did I attend an auction in Oldham (every schoolboy’s dream), but I also finally officially joined the 21st century. Yes, I went shopping in Primark for the first time. I’m sure many of you will have just fallen off your chair at this news. I am fully aware that I’m the last person in the country that’s been there. Even my Dad loves it; mainly because he can buy a coat for £6. To be fair, that is a bargain.
After finishing our adventure at the auction (it was like being in a Guy Ritchie film), I persuaded my friend Simon to go to Manchester Primark with me. I’d avoided the whole phenomena in the past because of the sheer trauma of driving 15 miles in either direction to get to the stores in Manchester or Liverpool. Needless to say, Simon was driving on this occasion and so the conditions seemed acceptable.
I was actually quite desperate to go as I’ve lost quite a bit of weight (I won’t bore you with my inspirational tale) and so I’ve basically got no clothes that fit me. If I wanted to look like a 12-year old trying on his dad’s suit, then I’d be in luck, but that’s really not the style I’m aspiring for. After hearing so many tales of the Primark’s fabled cheapness, it seemed to be the only option for bulk-filling my wardrobe without clearing out my bank account.
The Manchester store is absolutely massive and I was, quite frankly, bewildered from the moment that I stepped foot inside the place. How could they fit so many clothes in one place? Why are there so many different styles available? How are they all so bloody cheap? It was dizzying. Luckily, I was able to compose myself long enough to jam-pack my basket full of clothes. I managed to get 14 different items for £77 which is absolutely ridiculous. I’ll probably stop going on about it now because I’m starting to sound like an advert for them. You all know what I’m talking about, anyway.
The only downside was the sheer mass of people crammed into the place, and that was on a normal Tuesday dinner-time. I can only imagine the chaos that ensues at a weekend. It must rival Ikea as the most stupid place to go on a Saturday and I can only envisage rugby scrums of women fighting over jazzy skirts. As I’d rather stab myself in the eye than go at a weekend, can anybody confirm to me that I’m right? I’m sure I am.
About sherby57
Yeah at the weekend its like a giant mosh pit but more violent. Limbs flailing and thrashing all over the place.
It’s sounds like the whole clothing chain is just an elaborate front for a Fight Club.
I used to shop in Manchester Primark. Now that I moved south, I can’t find any decent Primark down here!!! Give me back the Primark I used to know!!!
I have lived in Brighton and now Reading, there is no Primark like Manchester Primark except the one in London Oxford Circus.
I shopped at Manchester Primark on work hours on Monday, it’s great. On weekends, it’s a frenzy. You’ll wait ages to get into the dressing room, not unless you are willing to strip in public!
I’m more than willing to strip off in public, but those court injunctions keep on piling up. It’s quite frustrating.
Even the thought of attending at a weekend is giving me palpitations. It must be awful.
I’m sure I’ll be making another trip to Manchester in the near future just to marvel at all the bargains.
Yeah… and let me know when you made your mind up to buy something at Primark and strip in the public to try it out.
I’ll be there. :p
You forgot to mention the free parking, accordions, your new jacket from Afflecks Palace and the bargain solar panels….
Well now you’ve made me feel bad for only telling half a tale.
I will address your points in order, Simon:
Free Parking: We attempted to use http://www.freeparkingspace.co.uk/ to find a free parking space (obviously), and it probably would have worked. Instead, we managed to sneak on a top-secret, slightly dodgy location for parking that would probably be unethical of me to mention. I wouldn’t want to give any of you scoundrels any ideas.
Accordians: There were at least 3 separate buskers playing the accordion in Manchester city centre yesterday. I don’t know if this is a new musical trend or not. Simon was delighted as he’s currently obsessed with them. He thinks they are sexy (I made that bit up).
Afflecks Palace: I went in there because I thought I’d be able to get a vintage (ahem, second hand) leather jacket, but they didn’t have any that I liked. Instead I bought a sand-coloured corduroy jacket that makes me look like a 1970s geography teacher. It’s awesome.
Solar Panels: There were two sets of solar panels for sale at the auction which retail at a couple of grand a pop. They sold for £140 each (£189 with commission and VAT), which can only be described as an absolute bargain.
The other thing I would mention from yesterday is that we went for dinner in somewhere called Kro and there were some very weird things on the menu. It was a bit like being at a Klingon cafe.
What I want to know is: what did you buy at the auction? A car? Furniture? Weapons?
I have only been in Primark once and it was like someone had made a tannoy announcement just before I entered the store along the lines of: Attention! There has been a chemical attack, buy as much polyester as possible!
We didn’t buy anything at the auction, although I’m sure there were plenty of cars, furniture and weapons on offer. As well as the odd pallet of used vacuum cleaners (bizarre but true). It was a genuinely odd place and there were over 1000 lots that they were selling on the day, so it was certainly interesting viewing. There also seemed to be a bargain or two available if you’ve got the nerve to risk your money.
Glad you made it to Oldham, Ste. Shame I wasn’t there – I once was asked by the owner of Mills & Radcliffe Antiques auction house in Oldham for advice on how to smash a safe that had been in the company since before the war and contained £1000. I suggested liquid nitrogen, but we didn’t have any, so the £1000 went unclaimed……………..
Strangely, it’s the second time that I’ve been to Oldham in a month. The first occasion is documented here:
http://poursomegravyonme.co.uk/2010/02/28/duvet-covers-and-post-apocalyptic-football-stadia/
Sadly there was nothing as intriguing as a pre-war safe in the auction that I went to. If you wanted a pallet load of assorted shop-soiled board games though, you’d be in luck.
Your story should be shared with the masses. Why hasn’t every household got liquid nitrogen plumbed in? It’s a national disgrace; I bet they’ve got it in America. It breaks my heart to think of all those people who’ve never experienced the simple pleasure of sticking stuff into liquid nitrogen just so they can see what happens. That’s worth more than £1000 of anybody’s money.
Well, Jo, I can only imagine that when I’m ready to strip off in the middle of Primark that they’ll be some sort of special announcement on all national TV channels. Don’t worry, though, I’ll get you a VIP backstage pass.
That’ll be superb!
Well I certainly aim to please!!