Tamworth has been a market town for many years and on Tuesday's and Saturday's, George Street and Market Street are a haven of stalls rivaling those in many city centres, while on Thursdays a craft market near the church does a pretty good trade too. The shopping area is old and quirky and the shops are an eclectic mix of old and new that reflect their architecture, well worth visiting for a bargain or twelve.

Your typical shopping centre, with the usual mix of Whsmiths and Vshops etc. The car park is ample but in dire need of having its markings repainted and the occasional raised voices as strangers find themselves going one way systems the wrong way is not uncommon. What does help is the lift access is good and the 5th floor of the complex has a 'Shopmobility' which loans mobility equipment to visitors with disabilities.

Oh, sweet child o mine, but this place is BUSY! If you were to visit any shopping area that had a Big W sitting next door to a large Asda and across the way from a Sainsburys, you would find yourself queuing in traffic but throw in a large Focus, Matalan, Mothercare, Hobbycraft, Boots, JJB Sports and scores of others and you get people travelling from well outside Tamworth to use it.

Start either very early or go very late is my advice!

A strange mix of businesses from B&Q and Co-Op superstores, through to Kitchen Warehouses and offices and factory units. Generally quiet which makes for an unhassled shopping experience.

A good selection of general shops and a few specialists - Tandy Dunelm Mill etc, which avoids the cramped conditions of Ankerside. It has a very 1960-70s feel and if you know what you want is quite handy.