Paperchase

Ahh, Paperchase — you are the solution to my stationary and creative needs! This fantastic shop has all the makings for a wonderful scrap book, art project, creative excursion and all the rest. Can’t help but agree with Carol C; what is it about stationary shops that are so intriguing? For me, I’ve always been a huge notebook fan.
Almost religiously, I used to carry around a notebook where ever I went, with which to pen my thoughts and feelings, and this is the perfect place to pick up such a notebook. Of course you can opt for the pre-​prettied options but I prefer to grab a plain one and modify it myself with photos and art work etc. Expect to find all manner of creative bits of paper, scrap book ideas, pens, gift wrap and other such items in this lovely shop. Everything is grand quality and it’s hard not to find inspiration in this gem!

My dismay at the Disney Store being shut down (no really, I nearly cried) was replaced with joy when I discovered it was Paperchase replacing it. As a former Starbucks at Borders (albeit Swansea Borders) worker, nothing made me happier than browsing around the pretty stationery after a long shift. It’s great for everything (apart from 21^st birthday cards for boys… but I had that problem everywhere), especially the funky notebooks. The staff are pleasent and it’s a nicely laid out and spacious shop. And it’s opposite Lush. Commercial Street is a financial nightmare for me!

I wonder sometimes, is it just girls that have a stationery fetish? There’s nothing like the smell of scented erasers and unsharpened pencils to bring out that ‘start of term’ optimism and Paperchase is a mecca to all things bright, quirky and cheerful. Since the closure of Borders the only branch of Paperchase was the small, ‘oops, I’ve forgotten to get Aunt Mable a card’ store in the train station so I was cock-​a-​hoop with glee when I found that this branch had opened on Commercial St.
It’s a small, yet perfectly stocked branch that features a good range of greetings cards as well as stationery, gift wrapping and the seasonal themed objects that they excel at such as travel pass holders, USB sticks and water flasks.
On my last attempt to walk past this branch I bought a lovely butterfly print gift box and some pretty ribbon to contain my Easter biscuits gift to the in-​laws. Delightful.

The loss of the Boarders store on Briggate was, for a sad loss for me too partly because I love bookshops, secondly because it housed a good Paperchase section. Alas, my sorrows would have been halted if I had know this would result in an even larger Paperchase shop springing up on Commercial street. They sell all manner of stationary and cards, from the very plain to things with really cute designs on. I love the note books, pencil cases and diary’s but what I really like about Paperchase is the totally random un-​stationary-​related items. I have bought bubbles with cartoon superheroes on, fancy hand soap and moisturiser and balloons from this Paperchase. They seem to be sold in a stationary shop because they have the same exterior packaging as the notebooks and pencils. I’m not complaining, just an observation.

If anybody ever gets stuck on what to buy me for a birthday present I always send them down here. It is crammed head to toe in beautiful things.
Cards, stationery, wrapping paper and gift ideas all come together in one heap of loveliness. They have a really nice selection of cards and you can get one for just about any occasion.
As soon as I walk in I am greeted by a friendly smile of one of the sales assistants, even though she is busy serving someone else. I wander over to the gift section and even though I don’t really need anything there is so much here that I want. I end up leaving with a really lovely stripy bag for a friend’s birthday coming up and some gorgeous red wrapping paper to make it look all pretty. Always the first stop for a birthday present.

The slow demise of Borders on Briggate was a deplorable occurrence for me. On the last day of its existence when the stock was exceptionally reduced, people crowded into the shop and behaved like looters, or flies feeding on a dead animal. I concede, that may be slightly too dramatic, but nonetheless I was saddened by its disappearance.
As well as losing a fantastic book shop with an impressive selection of magazines, the departure of the in store Paperchase was inevitable. I sense a slight degree of a moral dilemma when it comes to Paperchase. Although I am aware that I should be channelling my entire cards and stationary budget into independent shops, I have an obsession with the Paperchase brand. I do support the smaller businesses in countless other ways however, helping the local economy much to the dismay of my bank!
Everything about the shop is stylish. For somebody who has a similar passion for gift wrap as myself, it is a veritable haven. During more financially unstable periods, I have been known to lavish more money on the presentation of the birthday present, than its actual contents!
The different ranges of cards that are designed by Paperchase never have any excruciatingly cringe worthy poems in them, they are never sweet to the extent of prematurely inducing diabetes, and do not have generic phrasing on them. Instead, I consider them to be original, vividly colourful and are always well received. The wrapping paper and stationary are also of a fantastic quality.
There are various miscellaneous items for sale at Paperchase. I have often solved the riddle of what to buy a difficult relative by presenting them with a funky teapot or retro cake stand.
If I am buying a gift for a friend or loved one, I feel proud to present them with a beautifully wrapped creation, courtesy of Paperchase.