Bargain Shopping in Birmingham

Birmingham is the second largest city in the UK. While it can not match the shopping on offer in the metropol of London, it still has plenty of shops, market and designer outlets to please even the most discerning shopaholic.

Historically, Birmingham is known to be one of the places where the industrial revolution started. Its central placement in the middle of England - The Midlands, was vital to its industrial rise. Due to all the factories in the area, Birmingham was known as the industrial powerhouse of Britain. Today, the city has left its' dark and polluted past. The service economies are dominating and it is unlikely that you'll bump into a miner when visiting this modern city.

Despite popular belief, Birmingham is actually drowning in fashion and its designers are leading lights within the UK fashion scene. Local designer Jacob Kimmie recently had an exhibition at prestigious London Fashion Week and Central Saint Martins graduate Usefzada, also from Birmingham, has been dressing Thandie Newton lately.

But it's not all high end stuff for those who won't use public transport but went to public school. Whether you're a dressy dolly, diamond geezer or ironic musician, there's something to suit you here in Birmingham and you should aim to suit yourself. Below you'll find some tips for value for money shopping in Birmingham.

Cheap shopping in Birmingham

For downtown chic head to The Custard Factory's flea market in Digbeth (nearest Station Moor Street) on a Saturday for vintage clothes or for the lads try Sunday when the wares are more geared towards vinyl. If there's no spare time in your dairy on weekends t then head to Urban Village, also at The Custard Factory, any time. It's literally a warehouse rammed with second hand clothes!





Also rammed with garb is The Oasis Market on Priory Square is thankfully about as far away from the high street chain as you'll get. It sells Gothic clothes, clusters of silver jewellery, posters, bondage bits and bobs and dope labels such as Dready. And it's also the best place to buy Dr Martins and Wrangler jeans which never go out of fashion.

Bargains in the jewellry quarter

For those of you hankering after a swim in glamour at half the price why not check out the jewellery quarter in Hockley (nearest station Snow Hill) which sells at trade prices. Here you'll get all sorts of modern and classical pieces that you won't catch other people rocking the same.

If all that proves too much you might need a super hero to ease your shopped-out feet and save you from consumer-itis. If that's the case head to Nostalgia & Comics on Smallbrook Queensway where you can buy graphic novels, manga and the usual alternative oddities.

Are you more in the mood for a classic market? Head over to St. Martins Rag Market. Nicknamed "The Rag" you'll find a wealth of bargains which you won't need to be wealthy to buy. Flick through fabrics, coo over cosmetics or trawl through racks of tights, it's here that you'll find a few gems as well as a genuine experience as to what "Brummie" life is all about. Originally named The Smithfield Market, The Rag was opened on Whitsun Fair Thursday on 29 May 1817, selling food. Today it sits behind the Bullring and neighbours a food market. Open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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About the Author

Ken Sand

Is your budget tight? It's allright, travel guide Dirt Cheap Birmingham shows you where to eat, drink, sleep. Also detailed coverage about...