BHS

I’m reviewing BHS in relation to their bridal range — this is something they have increased their stock on recently and it’s surprisingly lovely and also great value. I actually ended up getting my wedding dress here! After going round a load of bridal shops, I found my favorite dress in BHS and at a fraction of the cost of the bridal shop dresses! I loved the dress on my big day, and it was a perfect fit without any alterations. The good thing too is that staff are helpful, but not pushy like the designer bridal shops. I also got my headpiece, veil, bag and other accessories here, and accessories for my bridesmaid like a bracelet to go with her jewelry, a bag, and even her shoes! My mum and granny managed to get parts of their outfits and accessories here too. I’d definitely recommend a visit if you’re a bride, or part of a bridal party.

I must say I’m still yet to buy anything from this large UK chain, primarily because I have a feeling it doesn’t really sell the sort of thing I’m into.
BHS reminds me a lot on the English interpretation of Dunnes Stores. It has that same sort of clothing vibe — not awful but a little bland and not exactly having any creative flair or panache.
Prices are somewhere in the realm of Dunnes and a bit pricey than cheap clothing giants Primark.
Not a particularly nicely set-​out or designed store — everything is a little bit cluttered and as previously said the lighting makes everything a little bit more depressing than it has to be.

BHS occupies territory somewhere between Primark and Marks and Spencer. In its heyday, the lighting department was notable but is now an ill lit shadow of former glory.
Bad lighting does seem to be a problem in the Belfast store, however, the shop is not a complete disaster. There’s quite a good homeware section where I spent a while contemplating the vintagey floral bedlinens, though some of other stuff was somewhat gaudy.
However, for women, the underwear and hosiery section is not bad at all. There is a fitting service and a good range of bras, slips, camisoles and so on to cater for a full range of wardrobe demands. It’s another option without the scrummage of Primark and the higher prices of Marks and Spencers, so I’m not ruling it out just yet.

British Home Stores is one of those big clothes stores that tries to cater for everyone, but sadly misses the mark and ends up catering for no one. It is oversized, under staffed, under stocked and remarkably depressing. It has overhead fluorescent lighting that makes every garment of clothing look hideous, and if you are unfortunate enough to pass the store at Christmas you may be unlucky enough to see their attempt at pandering to the shoppers by selling the cheapest stocking stuffer merchandise I have ever seen.
This place looks like it is a shop from a different era, and it is. However now as they keep expanding, adding what can be only said as the worst coffee shop in the city, I would suggest that you make a point of avoiding the whole place, there are so many better places to shop in the city.