Grab a bargain

WE all know the slogan: That's the wonder of Woolies... but only die-hard fans know the truth behind those words.

From the pick and mix to the cut-price chocolates and treats; from cheap greetings cards and wrap to value-for-money children's clothes and toys; from stylish and affordable home-ware to discount videos and DVDs, Woolworths is a store where your money goes a long way.

So its loss from Monks Cross Shopping Park - to make way for a Marks & Spencer fashion store - will be sorely felt by bargain hunters.

There is some consolation in that the city centre Woolies in Spurriergate will remain open. However, this is a smaller store and its range of goods, particularly home and children's wear, is not as extensive as at Monks Cross.

With Woolies at Monks Cross to close on March 26, we have drawn up this unofficial guide - in alphabetical order - to bargain hunting in York. We hope it cushions the blow...

Maxine's bargains

Aldi, Fulford Road, York

Best for: Cut-price groceries, from cereals and choccie biscuits to Continental cheeses and wines.

Pros: Quality goods in nice packaging at a fraction of the big-brand costs. Also has weekly offers on household and electrical items.

Cons: Few staff, so queuing at the tills can be a problem and you have to buy your bags (3p or 9p) - or bring your own.

Best buys: Everything! Mayrah Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz, a sophisticated and fruity red, just £3.49; 40l of multi-purpose compost £1.99; 454g jar of peanut butter 79p; 500g box of cornflakes 75p; 200g bar of chocolate 51p; Temptations luxury cookies (9), 49p; 800g bread loaf 59p; 200g brie, 85p; child's bike £49.99; tower CD system £59.99.

The Bookcaf, Market Street, York

Best for: Children's books and gifts, paperbacks, cards.

Pros: Lots of 'Two for £5' and 'Three for £5' offers in store. Also has a comfy downstairs caf area.

Cons: Not a place to find best-sellers or new books.

Best buys: Children's art sets, £4.99; Richard And Judy, The Autobiography, in hardback for £3.99.

Boyes, Goodramgate, York

Best for: Chocolates, fabrics, children's clothes and toys and household goods.

Pros: Bargains from sewing sets to DIY kits, romper suits to DVDs.

Cons: Untidy and chaotic. Shopping here is a bit like going to a massive jumble sale.

Best buys: Three for £5 offer on £2.99 Easter eggs; children's fairytale sticker books, 49p; baby sleeping bags, £4.99; school trousers, £4.89; Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen 20-piece crockery set reduced from £64.99 to £19.99.

C.M.D, Goodramgate, York

Best for: Women's clothes and accessories with a nudge towards latest trends.

Pros: The prices. A knitwear sale has chunky cardis for £7.

Cons: You have to hunt for the high-fashion items.

Best buys: Baby blue, cotton, lined jacket, £12; long cotton tiered skirts, £15; cord jackets, £16.

Newgate Market

Best for: Fruit, veg and flowers. Also household goods and undies.

Pros: Bargains on every stall; from men's vests for £1 to women's handbags for £4.50.

Cons: Stalls vary daily, so something you see one day may be gone the next.

Best buys: Cosy slippers, £4.99; four-cup teapot, £2.99; adult fleeces, £15.

Poundland, Petergate, York

Best for: Sweets, crisps, crayons and pens for kids, bulbs for the garden, tupperware.

Pros: Everything is a pound. There are savings to be made on items such as the eight-pack bag of Walkers Crisps, DVDs and videos and children's craft sets, among many others.

Cons: Everything is a pound. Be careful, a few things are not worth a pound or can be bought elsewhere for less, eg: roll of 26 black bin bags (you can get 50 at Savers for 89p).

Best buys: Garden bulbs, plant now for summer; baby vests and trouser and waistcoat sets; videos; children's art and craft material; chocolates and treats.

Savers, Goodramgate, York

Best for: Leading brand toiletries at rock-bottom prices.

Pros: Shelf after shelf of your favourite products with unbeatable price-tags. Shampoos, hair-dyes, toothpaste and brushes, nappies, household cleaning products, beauty products such as cleansers and moisturisers and perfumes too are just some of the products available.

Cons: Flimsy bags, you have to double up to carry your load.

Best buys: Roll of 50 refuse sacks, 89p; bag of 200 cotton wool pads; 99p; box of 150 tissues; 49p, Nivea Visage Q10 anti-wrinkle cream plus pack of Nivea cleansing wipes, £5.99.

Woolworths, Spurriergate, York

Best for: Chocolates, kids toys, greetings cards, CDs.

Pros: Can always find a children's game or toy for under a fiver (handy when the whole class seems to have a birthday in March). Also top chart CDs are now £9.97.

Cons: Crammed, potential for buggy wars. Sometimes long queues.

Best buys: Gingham school summer dresses, two for £10; Crayola giant art easel, £14.99; three for two offer on Easter eggs; buy one get one half price offer on kids dressing up clothes.

Where do you shop for bargains? Share your best-buy secrets with readers. Contact Women's page, Features, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN or email: features@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 09:41 Tuesday, March 15, 2005