My favourite local shops in Paignton

My favourite local shops in Paignton

Although there seems to be a few too many chain shops rearing their ugly heads in Paignton these days, there are still a lot of great local shops to choose from, some of which have been giving great service to people who live in the Bay for many years.

If I'm heading into the town centre for a good bit of local shopping, I always like to pop into Axworthys on Palace Avenue to pick up some art supplies for my watercolour classes.

I've been coming here for years (even when it used to be based on Torquay Road) and it never disappoints. I pick up my special watercolour paper and paints whenever I run out (which is quite a lot!) and always like to browse the many different types of stationary they have on offer, especially if there's any bargains to be had!

The staff are very knowledgeable and friendly if you have any questions (which I often do!) and I totally agree with reviews on this site that it is miles better than Paignton's painfully small WH Smith.

The next wonderful local shop to visit on my weekly shopping trip is Lloyd Maunder West Country Family Butchers on Victoria Street.

I always like to go to a proper butchers (I guess it's just the way I was brought up) and this one is one of my favourites. If you want to get some lovely British bangers then leave the pre-packaged sausages on Tesco's shelves and buy them here.

Every kind of meat and game is catered for and last week I noticed they were selling rabbit and (for the more adventurous) ostrich steaks! If my husband ever accompanies me on a shopping trip (which isn't often as he's always on the golf course) he's rather partial to their hot carvery baguettes which always smell so good!

Next up (for me anyway) is a delightful little shop further down Victoria Street called Bijoux B.

As you can probably tell from the name this is one for the ladies. This costume jewellery shop specialises in necklaces sets, earrings, dress rings, handbags, clutch bags, scarves and even some rather tasteful picture frames! 

Perfect for those special occasions like weddings and birthdays, the shop is open seven days a week and owner Maggie Williams and her wonderful staff always make me feel very welcome.

Moving on down to Torbay Road there are a couple of new editions to the street that are always popular with the grandchildren.

First up is an old fashioned sweet shop with a modern twist called Sugazone.

It's almost like a mini version of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory with its Day-Glo décor and lots and lots of sweets. Rainbow Drops, Sherbert Fountains, Sugar Mice, Liquorice Sticks, Popping Candy, Olympic Marshmallows, Giant Cables, Giant Gobstoppers and even giant Chupa Chups (to name but a few!)

They even do some sugar free sweets for those with sensitive teeth like myself: Rhubarb and Custard, Humbugs, Gummy Bears and many more. 

They also have a rather extensive drinks selection with specialist shakes and smoothies that refresh the parts that certain lagers and beers can't reach in the hot weather (take heed if your reading this hubby!)

Last stop before heading to Paignton Pier/the beach/Apollo Cinema (delete as appropriate) is the cuddly cute Taylor Made Bears.

My granddaughter loves this place (perhaps a little too much) as I think she now has a family of four bears to play with and this number is set to increase, as she recently told me she wants a full teddy bear's picnic before the summer's out!

This review from MajaCurtis sums it up: "The bears looked great, and the girls enjoyed watching them stuffed, with a little heart put inside them, the bears even had their own birth certificates! Very friendly staff, who obviously know how to work with children, my two girls want to go in there every time we go to the seafront now!"

Right I'm worn out. Think I need another shopping trip to calm down…