I have a massive (household) shopping list. Where would you buy the following items?

[SunshineSpring]

I move back to the UK (yippee!) in 2 weeks. Ive not been to the UK in 5 years. Where would you buy the following items (medium sized city in the north). And what brand/item would you buy? I'm assuming I wont get finance, so will be cash/credit card transactions....

*King sized bed
*Childs single bed
*bedding for above

• 2 kids bikes - age 7 and 9, sold our beloved iala bikes but 2 new isla bikes are coming in rather £££ *wireless printer *cake tins, baking sheets, roasting tins (ovenware) *reusable shopping bags - this is such a no go out here, I'm actually prevented from taking reusable bags into some shops- you have to leave everything with security before you enter...

I will also need a car. What do you all drive? - not tiny. Ideally 5 doors. I had an Astra before. Didnt like it much, but that sort of thing.

Cheers! My to do list is so long, I fear I'm going to make some snap purchases that aren't fully researched, and will get it wrong.

I do well buying bedding on Ebay.

I search on Egyptian cotton, then filter by thread count (400+) and get plain white stuff.

Then top with a lovely quilt that you can buy at your leisure.

I get a kick from using the wrong bag in the wrong shop - Asda bags in Tesco, Tesco bags in Sports Direct, Sports Direct bags in Ikea ....

We have had IKea beds, wardrobes, chests of drawers etc, and I wouldn't get them again. They fall apart.
Book a handy man to come for a day and they will do beds, pictures, whatever!

I don't know if it has already been mentioned but Isla Bikes now do a long term rental service

www.islabikes.co.uk/imagine-project/

Moda bikes are also good lightweight kids bike manufacturer - ebay is your friend here.

So, you all pretty much use the plastic bags for life from the supermarkets? I have stronger plastic ones like this.

Yy, food shopping goes in bags like windswept posted and they live in your car boot, and you keep a couple of foldable ones in your handbag for impromptu purchases. But you buy them wherever. They’re sold like umbrellas and fridge magnets at wherever people think they can flog you one.

@SunshineSpring,

Whereabouts (vaguely) will you be moving to? I know what you mean about the high streets changing so much, ours is unrecognizable.

I would absolutely go with John Lewis for big ticket items, Dunelm is fab for bedding, towels, crockery and cookware, I'd also arrange to have the house deep cleaned as soon as your tenants leave.

Arrange a big store cupboard Tesco/Sainsbury's/Ocado delivery for a few days after you move in, and eat easy stuff for the first week... There is a great range called Cook, that does "homecooked" dishes that are really good.

Exciting times ahead. Hope it goes well

www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-wilton-child-compliant-bed-frame-single/grey/p1947839

We have this bed and it's good.

Look at M&S, they've got a furniture sale in. We had a very good experience buying a wardrobe from them recently. The others probably have sales too

John Lewis or Ikea for everything
2nd hand Islabikes (there is a dedicated FB page for Preowned Islabikes), Frog or Decathlon for bikes. You can lease Frog bikes and swap them for a larger size when you need to from The Bike Club.

I like Homesense for quality bedding and kitchenware at low prices.

It's TK Maxx but for homewares so not guaranteed for everything but it's fun if you have time to look.

I'd do IKEA for kids beds and furniture as it's cheap and cheerful to get them through childhood.

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