Shopping

The city centre has two shopping centres and is full of high street names, in addition to popular independent boutiques.

There are weekly indoor and outdoor markets in the centre selling fresh meat, cheese, bread and fruit and vegetables.

Supermarkets

There is a selection of supermarkets close to the Lancaster campus:

Tesco express
Sainsbury's
Co-op
Aldi (10min walk from town)
Asda (bus ride from town)

Lancaster's independent stores

Despite competition from high street brands such as River Island, Next and Monsoon, Lancaster has a thriving selection of smaller, independent retailers.

On Brox Street, men will find what they’re after at Sneaks, a successful menswear shop, stocking Gio Goi, Boxfresh, Lacoste and K-Swiss goods. The store has been open five years and is run by Jay. “I get a lot of students through my door so I decided to offer them a ten per-cent student discount,” says Jay.

Sneaks accepts the purple student card, or the NUS card. Next door to Sneaks is ‘Unbox’, an urban art shop, run by Jane Richardson. The shop has been open for ten months and consists of homeware, a small clothing selection and a range of art pieces.

Jane explains, “All my stock is from local artists, and it is all aimed at a student audience, with a funky edge.”

The shop is also planning on doing a student only night for next semester, where students get to shop after hours to find a bargain. NUS and purple cards are accepted.

On Common Garden Street, Renes Lapelle has a large range of stock, suitable for all ages with a collection that includes items from all over the world. The store splits into two, with Renes aimed at an older market, while Lapelle is designed more for the younger generation – stocking brands such as French Connection, Guess and Pinko. The store also offers a ten per-cent student discount.

For those after something a little more alternative, Reef is the place for you. Located on Market Street, the store is run by Sue and Jonny and has been open for four years, stocking both men and women’s wear.

Aimed at an under-30s market, the shop stocks ranges from Vans, Eastpak, Hellbunny, Doc Martens, as well as many more, including the fair-trade Monkee Genes. “Me and my staff are all very friendly and will do all we can to help you in store; a lot of local students love us and refer to me as ‘Mummy Reef’,” said Sue. Reef also offers a ten per-cent student discount with the NUS or purple card.

Across the road from Reef is Sienna, a womenswear shop that holds many brands at an affordable price. Having been in business for the last 18 years, Sienna prides itself on having ‘a bit of something for everyone’. Brands such as Vera Moda, Color, Sandwich, Fiorelli and Birkenstock are amongst those stocked.

The prices start at around £12 and students get a ten per-cent discount with their student card.