Peacocks

Unlike the big Peacocks in Broadmead the Gloucester Rd branch has survived the firm going bust and is one of the ones kept open by new owners Edinburgh Woollen Mill. For years it’s been a place with a reputation for cheap crap clothes and my own occasional experiences there have confirmed this. Never buy anything with buttons on cos they’re sewn on so loosely they’ll be dropping off before you know it. I got a couple of pairs of jeans there not long ago, tempted by the prices, but one of them’s through at the bum within just a few weeks. Should have learned my lesson. I also fell for quite a nice Space Invaders t-​shirt in their otherwise totally tacky current line; what can go wrong with a t-​shirt after all? The darned thing was an eye-​boggling £12 though no wonder the bloody company’s gone bust!

I love Peacocks — even more than Primark. It’s just as cheap and just as trendy but much less busy and with better sales — this one on Gloucester Road even more so than the main one in the city centre. They’re almost always first with filling the windows with the new season’s gear and shifting all the slightly older stock to the jumble sale rails at the back of the store — and that is always where I head first. Perhaps I’m just lucky but I always manage to find at least one perfect item on these sale rails, whether it’s that long grey jumper I’ve been looking for for ages, that summer dress to cover up my winter jacket when I head down the beach for the first time or a pair of black work trousers. The accessories and footwear in this Peacocks are pretty cool too, and well cheap. Think sunnies for a fiver and flip flops for a couple of quid (and if you’re reading this in winter, then think gloves for a couple of quid and fake uggs for a tenner).

The environmentally-​friendly, economically-​concerned may turn their nose up at the thought of a chain store on the independent Gloucester Road. Being in the minority, Peacock’s position in Gloucester Road is very well– received. It is a small store with a lot to offer. Prices are cheap to contend with the abundance of charity shops you can find on Gloucester Road. Peacocks is perfect for the little basics such as underwear, pump shoes, socks, and strap tops. They have a beach section, an accessories corner and a smart wear area too. Student discount at 10% is a bonus!

This isn’t the biggest peacocks in the city, but is a managemable size and well stocked. It’s a good alternative if you’re getting frustrated with Gloucester road charity shopping or want to buy some basic items to match with more flamboyant pieces you might have found in the nearby vintage stores.
Don’t forget to check out the jewelery/​accessories/​hoisery section as you can always pick up cheap items to help to jazz up a more simple outfit.

Sometimes when i go into Peacocks i can find a nice item of clothing however this is a rare chance because their clothes can be a little tacky. Their accessories are nice and for a good decent price. Some of their staff can be a little rude but fortunately quite helpful!
I brought a pair or earings there the other day for only £2 in the sale, which i thought was quite a good bargain.