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Here are the 5 best places for shopping in Brighton
Located on the south coast of England, Brighton is a bustling seaside resort that offers much more than the beach. With plenty of fun activities to do, amazing places to explore and delicious food to try, there’s something for everyone. In addition, you can expect plenty of shopping opportunities.
Shopping in Brighton may not be on the same scale as in London. But shopping here does have a style and charm of its own. Beyond the high street chains, there’s an eclectic mix of independent shops and boutiques. And there’s something for everyone from the latest in fashion to vintage finds.
Wondering where are the best places to shop in Brighton? Here’s the guide. These are the destinations that should be on your bucket list. They are within easy reach from the city’s central area, where most visitors stay and enjoy their time. Even if you don’t plan to shop, you can always enjoy window shopping.
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Churchill Square Shopping Centre
Churchill Square Shopping Centre is one of the most popular shopping destinations in Brighton. As the largest shopping centre in the city, this American-style indoor mall has a wide selection of high-street brands from nearly 70 retailers. And for a bite, choices include more than 10 food and drink outlets.
The shopping centre is centrally located on Russell Place. It’s a short walk from The Lanes, the seafront attractions and the iconic Brighton Pier. Buses stop right outside on Western Road. If driving, you can park at the shopping centre, entering via Canon Place and another via Regency Road.
Churchill Square opens 7 days a week, offering 2 floors of retail and dining on the third floor. Opening hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM on Monday-Wednesday but close later at 7 PM on Thursday-Saturday. On Sundays, the shopping centre opens from 11 AM to 5 PM. Individual store opening hours may vary though.
Occupying the stores are some of the leading retailers in the UK. Beyond the stores are the little stalls on the corridors of the lower floor. You’ll find popular brands for fashion, footwear, jewellery and accessories. There are also health and beauty products, electronics, toys and gift items.
Look no further than Churchill Square for a host of high-street fashion under a single roof. Both Zara and H&M fill 2 floors with their range of high-street fashion. New Look, Hollister and Bershka offer lifestyle fashion. River Islands, Urban Outfitters, Levi’s and Next are other noted clothing stores.
There’s a wide selection of footwear at Foot Locker, Foot Asylum, Clarks and Skechers. JD Sports has a range of sportswear such as sneakers, T-shirts, jackets and backpacks from the leading brands. Ernest Jones, H. Samuel, Swarovski and Pandora have a beautiful selection of jewellery and accessories.
Flying Tiger is a variety store popular for its innovative home items with many for less than £30. Visit the Apple Store for the brand’s electronic products and accessories. 3 Store has a large stock of mobile phones and you can expect regular deals. And there’s Lego, loved around the world for its creative building toys.
Feeling hungry? Ed’s Easy Diner serves classic American foods. Chopstix serves superb Oriental dishes. Greekatessen specialises in Greek dishes. Italian Kitchen serves Italian classics. McDonald’s is here as well as Costa Coffee, Krispy Kreme and Auntie Anne’s. And there’s Boost with a wonderful choice of juices and smoothies.
Check out hotels in Brighton – You can find a host of accommodations on the seafront, ranging from the budget-friendly to luxury.
Shopping in The Lanes
The Lanes is one of the oldest quarters of Brighton. It’s a small and compact area, bordered by North Street in the north, Ship Street in the west, Albert Street in the south and East Street in the east. Within is a maze of tight alleys and centuries-old buildings. For the most part, these alleys are only accessible by pedestrians.
Wander through the alleys and you’ll discover endless restaurants, cafés, pubs and quaint little shops. As a matter of fact, The Lanes is another shopping hot spot in Brighton. It’s a paradise of independent shops and boutiques. Major retail chains though are on the outer edges of the quarter.
Even if you’re a fan of modern shopping centres, you can’t resist the lure of The Lanes. This historic quarter exudes an old-fashioned charm that’s hard to replicate. Besides, it’s also home to some of the best dining experiences in Brighton and there’s no shortage of culinary delights waiting to be discovered.
The quarter is a vibrant mix of independent retailers and you’ll never know what hidden gem you might discover! From fine jewellery to vintage clothes, antiques and art, it’s a treasure trove of unique finds. But that’s not all. There are also souvenirs, gifts, old vinyl records, watches, beauty products, fragrance and confectionery.
Meeting House Lane is the main artery and spans from Prince Albert Street in the south to North Street in the north. The alley is a plethora of specialist shops offering fine jewellery that also include pre-loved vintage pieces. These precious metals and gems are in all kinds of shapes and designs.
Brighton Square is a small public square in the heart of the quarter. The area around the square is another treasure trove of jewellery but there are also fashion, souvenirs, gifts and antiques. What’s more, are the delightful restaurants and cafés. And there’s Brighton Square Apartments if planning to spend your holidays here.
Brighton Place and Market Street are other major alleys. Cult Hero, on Brighton Place, is the perfect place to find old vinyl records. Also on Brighton Place is Artique Galleries, featuring limited-edition prints by acclaimed artists. On Market Street, Inscription specialises in engraving many types of metals including jewellery pieces.
While independent shops reign supreme, the northern boundary of the quarter on North Street is home to a handful of high-street retailers. Among them is Moss with its stylish range of men’s wear. Kurt Geiger is famous for chic shoes and accessories. And there’s Watches of Switzerland with its prestigious Swiss watches.
Read more: Visitor’s Guide to The Lanes
Shopping in North Laine
North Laine was once a slum area of wretched homes and slaughterhouses. It was not until the 1870s that the city began to clean up and develop the quarter. North Laine today is primarily residential but also a vibrant hub for shopping, dining and entertainment that attracts both locals and tourists.
Trafalgar Street forms the border of North Laine in the north and North Street in the South. It’s a large quarter occupied by homes. The main action is along Bond Street, Gardner Street, Kensington Gardens and Sydney Street. These narrow shopping streets run north-south, close to one another and pedestrian-friendly.
What makes the shopping streets of North Laine unique? It’s bohemian and quirky with a lively and friendly spirit. Independent retailers dominate the shopping scene here. It’s an eclectic mix of more than 300 shops. What’s more, you’ll never go hungry with the myriad of takeaways, cafés and restaurants.
On the shopping streets of North Laine, you can shop for trendy clothes, everyday wear, vintage clothes, shoes and jewellery. But it’s not just about the wardrobe. There are also shops filled with gifts, beauty products, books, comics, handicrafts, art and antiques. Not to mention tattoo and body piercing shops.
For fashion, there are great picks of boutiques promoting independent and emerging labels. You’ll find a range of fashion styles including one-off designs. The emphasis here is quality but without the big price tag. Not only that, there are even flashy fashions if you want to stand out from the crowd.
There’s a good amount of vintage fashion as well. To Be Born Again, on Kensington Gardens and Sydney Street, stocks an array of retro outfits. Beyond Retro, on Vine Street, offers countless pieces that have been handpicked from around the world. Audrey, on Trafalgar Street, is the perfect place for 1970s and Bohemian fashion.
Snooper’s Paradise, on Kensington Gardens, is a 2-floor emporium packed with vintage items. With over 90 unique stalls, there’s plenty to rummage that you might just lose track of time! It’s an endless list of vintage treasures, including retro fashion, homeware, old coins, books, hats, artworks, cameras and much more.
Upper Gardner Street isn’t a shopping street. But Saturday mornings this narrow span closes to traffic and transforms into a lively flea market. It’s a great little market with a mix of everything including vintage clothes, antiques, memorabilia, arts, crafts, books, old records, jewellery and a host of knick-knacks.
Shopping on London Road
London Road is situated on the northeastern edge of the city centre. It’s off the beaten track, away from the city’s tourist hub and the seafront. What’s more, it’s an unpretentious street with no interesting landmarks to mention. But locals know London Road well as a place for shopping and dining.
The street is only 10 minutes by bus from the seafront. Buses 5, 5A and 5B stop here near Baker Street. If driving, you can park at the London Road Car Park on Providence Place. The street is near Brighton (Railway) Station and if you plan to stay in the area, options include Hotel Indigo Brighton and Leonardo Hotel Brighton.
There’s been a growing number of shops, eateries and pubs in recent years. Shopping aims at locals rather than tourists. The student community in the area also explains why shopping here comes without the big prices. And when it comes to dining, there is a good deal of options from fish and chips to Korean cuisine.
You won’t find designer labels and luxury items in this part of Brighton. It’s home to humble-looking premises filled by independent retailers, thrift shops and discount store chains. Last but not least is the Brighton Open Market, a popular market that deserves a separate mention in the next section.
Small local shops are all over London Road and stocked with all kinds of items. The list includes casual wear, vintage clothes, card and board games, video games, electronics and home entertainment. You’ll also find shops selling books, greeting cards, gifts, beauty products and health foods.
Charity shops selling pre-owned items have a big presence here. Among them are the British Red Cross, OXFAM and British Heart Foundation. What to buy include pre-loved clothes, shoes, home items, books, CDs and vinyl to name a few. They are in good condition and your purchase helps to support their noble cause.
There are also store chains with pre-owned items for sale. Both Cash Converters and Cash Generator stock a wide range of items that are in good condition. Laptops, tablets, mobile phones, cameras, CDs, DVDs and vinyl are some items for sale. Others include fashion accessories, jewellery and watches but there are more.
Poundland and Bargain Buys are the top discount stores on London Road. Both store chains offer a wide range of items and their low prices are very appealing. You can find clothing, household items, health and beauty products, electrical devices, food and drinks and lots more. Believe it or not, some are as low as £1!
Brighton Open Market
The Open Market is right in the heart of London Road, directly across the street from Poundland and near the Baker Street bus stop. This bustling market opens 7 days a week, starting at 7 AM from Monday to Saturday and 10 AM on Sundays. It closes at 7 PM on weekdays and a bit earlier at 5 PM on weekends.
Home to small local businesses, the covered market is the highlight of any trip to London Road. Over 40 little shops and eateries are on the ground floor. On the upper floor, are a dozen or so artists’ workshops. In addition, the host of temporary stalls filling the plaza area on the lower floor.
You can find a wide range of clothes as well as hats, bags and jewellery. There’s also an array of artworks including paintings, posters and prints. In addition, you can find handmade soaps, artisan candles, fabrics and haberdashery. For retro pieces, there are pre-loved clothes, cameras, old timepieces and jewellery.
For unique buys, African Experience offers authentic attire and accessories from Gambia. There’s Giant, devoted to American vintage clothes that have become classic pieces. The Fabric Tree stocks printed cotton fabrics and crafted fashion accessories. And there’s Baka Neko, an anime gaming shop devoted to Japanese collectables.
There’s also a selection of speciality foods. Green Valley is known for its raw and natural honey products. The Little Loaf produces fresh homemade pastries including buttery croissants and Danish pastries filled with delectable jams. Rainbow Organic Chocolates offers handcrafted confectionery made from the finest ingredients.
The market boasts several charming cafés that serve a diverse range of cuisines. Head to Streets Café for a filling meal of British classics. Casa Azul is the perfect spot for authentic Mexican tacos and tortillas. Check out Kouzina for traditional Greek cuisine. And if you crave Korean and Japanese dishes, Korpan is the place to be.
Now and then there are themed events held at the plaza, particularly at weekends. Events include dance and music performances, street theatre, an arts and crafts fair, a vintage book fair, dance lessons and a yearly Christmas market. There’s also a regular street food market where stalls and food trucks serving all kinds of cuisines.
