Where do you go now Mothercare has shut down?

[SunSparkle]

Hi

I'm pregnant with my first baby and I feel totally clueless where to go to look at and try out baby equipment. Some things I would feel totally fine just buying off the internet (clothes etc) but for things like a pushchair I'd like to try out the folding mechanism and the weight of them.

Now Mothercare has shut, where do you go to have a bit of a browse and a look at things in person? I'm in Sheffield if it makes any difference!

There is a place called Kiddies Kingdom in Dewsbury. Haven’t been there, but ordered stuff online from them. John Lewis is fairly good for prams etc.

Mamas and Papas, im not sure how many stores they have or where they are though, we live near the factory so its handy for us.

John Lewis is also a good shout

Should have pointed out we're in Huddersfield and have a Mamas and papas factory shop

Mamas and papas, Asda George, there may also be local shops what have these in too. I'm in the Teesside area and there's a shop in town what sells mamas and papas stuff / full travel systems - I can't remember the name of it though.

Not sure about the situation atm with selling / buying second hand stuff but could be worth checking shpock or eBay too.

Congrats btw

John Lewis Sheffield isn’t opening this week, but will probably be open in time for you to do your shopping.

John Lewis!

There might also be an independent business near you that stocks pushchairs and car seat. We got our BJCM and car seat from one in our local town years ago and they were fab, fitted everything in the car for us, adapters with the pram, etc. They said they would price match a slightly lower price for the pushchair I found online, but the customer service was so good with the fitting etc that I ended up not bothering to ask for the price match as they went above and beyond.

I did nearly all my shopping at John Lewis - great selection . I’m in London though so I’m not sure how my selection compares if you live elsewhere .

Have a look at smyths toys as well. They have a baby section including high chairs, cots, prams etc

Hi, also first time pregnant here and we've bought a bundle online from Kinderkraft and are absolutely happy with it. I think it was about 380 pounds and it came with pram that's convertible into push chair, car seat, bedside cot, baby carrier, play gym and baby daytime cot that's convertible into a rocking chair. Read reviews and watched videos. It's very good quality for the price. I just find when it comes to these items you can find the best deals online. I'm aware that you can spend 1000 pounds on a pram alone which might be a bit fancier , but I'm not willing to spend that much online on which is just another piece of plastic.

I can understand though if you're the kind of person who needs to see things first before buying them and wouldn't knock you for it.

Smyths, argos, online4baby and george ive found probably the best, aldi and lidl baby events are really good too. I got my next to me crib from lidl, surprising what they do actually x

I don't know if it would be too far for you @sunsparkle but there is a large pram store in Stoke-on-Trent that stock pretty much every pram going, we are going to do a day trip there when the time comes, it's called Winstanley's Pramworld. They are doing appointment visits at the moment due to Covid.

Depending where in Sheffield you are, the Mamas and Papa's outlet on Huddersfield may be worth a visit. When you get off the M1 junction for Huddersfield, it's about a 15 minute drive. My parents live up the road from it and it used to take me 30 mins door to door to get from my parents to Meadowhall when I lived with them.

I'm planning trip to baby and toddler show in Manchester at Sept. My first is due at end of Nov and thought it might be good to see lots of brands. Never been to one before so don't know how good it is. If not next day we can have look in manchester. Not many places local to me, so an excuse to go with my mum and both get excite d for weekend!!

We went to John Lewis and did the nursery advice service, really valuable session and didn't feel pressured to buy anything through them (though we did).

I'm also in Sheffield we got our pram from Direct2mum at Barnsley. They have a decent range of prams and even have a textured path you can try them out on. We've also visited both the afore mentioned Kiddies Kingdom and Mama's and Papas factory shop out. They are both good places to go especially Kiddies Kingdom for prams. I think Mamas and papas was better for nursery furniture.

Definitely recommend Affordable Baby Care in Rotherham. Got all the big stuff from there and they're online too

I had no idea about most of these places! Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I will definitely check them out.

Was also going to recommend Affordable baby care in Rotherham, they're brilliant xxx

If your in Sheffield go to smyths toys in Leeds they have tonnes of stuff for babies!!

I went to John Lewis, Mamas and Papaa etc and tried out all the prams and car seats, then ordered online from places like Winstanleys and Bournemouth Baby Centre once I knew what I wanted as they had much better deals. Lots of smaller stuff I bought in JL.

Nurseryland in Wakefield is fab for peaks/ car seats etc!

*prams

Another vote for John Lewis - didn’t have a clue about pushchairs/car seats and had help from a lovely lady in there who knew EVERYTHING about each one. No pressure to buy then and there but we will go back to buy (need to take MIL as she’s paying )

I live in Sheffield & went to Nottingham where the Ikea is there's a mamas & papas, a few other good shops too 😊