Binns House of Fraser

Haven’t bought anything from here since I was about 5 years old. Think it was some Lego. Anyway I mostly steer clear nowadays as it offers very little for men unless you dress a certain way. But then I would say that for the whole town apart from one or two shops. Expensive café upstairs. But cleanest toilet in town :) use the back entrance if you don’t want to smell like a tarts handbag on leaving…

Having walked past it a thousand times, I have been dragged in kicking & screaming! Not that bad actually but more a woman’s store than a mans. At least I can say iv been.

A store that shouts out QUALITY when you walk through one of it’s many doors. It reminds me of that comedy Are you being served as the staff are always dressed as if they were going out that evening for a posh function. There’s a huge range of goodies that most woman could spend days just trying on the samples. While the blokes stuff tends to be hidden at the back alongside the electronic goodies. Top names with top prices but for most a place to shop for gifts, birthdays, Christmas, weddings, and the please forgive me expensive bottles of perfume. But the best part of all is in the drinks section, a wonderful selection of wines and spirits from all over the world that’s worth every penny,

This is probably the best all round store in Darlington. Its a large department store selling everything from womens clothing, mens clothing, cosmetics, luggage and household goods — all top brand names. They have a house of fraser store card and this combines as a loyalty scheme as well, every £1 you spend you get 3 points you can then exchange these points for gift vouchers. They have a coffe shop downstairs and a restaurant upstairs. Throughout the year they also have big discount days where you can save upto 25%.

Binns has been part of Darlington history for a long while. Taking up the corner of High Row it is in a building which shows it’s 1930’s heritage. Inside is what you’d expect from a good department store. From the perfume department on the ground floor the escalators take you up to clothings floors, housewares and even a hairdressers. There are also two places to eat which are favourites with a lot of the locals, especially the older ones.

Your usual suspects lurk here. For women there is a good selection, Oasis, Wallis, Miss Selfridge, which is good as Darlington doesn’t have full sizes of these places. Feel like a kid in a candy store and can spend many happy hours purusing the beauty department. A good range of premium brands here Benefit, Lancome, Elizabeth Arden etc.
For kids there is a limited clothing and toy selection, and same for men. The electrical and home department are pricy but there are some good offers when the sales are on. Staff give good advice and are friendly and helpful in this department. A good shop and a good selection for a quick credit card splurge., but most of what it sells could be bought cheaper elsewhere.

Binns is a massive department store, located right in the town centre. It has a number of diffeent stores and brands within. in the cosmetics area all major brands are covered; clinique, Lancome, Estee Lauder, Benefit, Calvin Klien etc. In the clothing area their are labels and shops such as; Coast, Wallis and Oasis, along with many major shoe brands. It is ideal place to visit to buy an outfit for any occasion.
It also offers men and childrens clothing, along with furniture and homewares.

A great place for ladies to shop-​Binns has a tremendous perfumery department with all the well known brands sold by very knowledgable ladies. The staff are nearly all very helpful, polite and friendly.
The store also houses all the well known clothes designs-​for young and old alike. There is a better choice for ladies than men but there is a small mens clothing area!
The store has two restaurants, the one downstairs in particular has a nice atmosphere.
The bedding department is excellent especially if there is a sale on-​I always manage to bag a few real bargains.
There is an electrical department but personally I think that this is a bit expensive-can’t think that I have ever bought much in there.
Overall-​a super department store.