Seven shops Shields Gazette readers loved to visit in the run-up to Christmas

With just weeks to go until December 25, shoppers across South Tyneside and beyond have been making a start on their preparations for the Christmas season.

By Debra Fox

Published 25th Nov 2021, 11:38 BST

Updated 25th Nov 2021, 12:02 BST

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Cards, gifts and wrapping paper have been bought, the festive food is on order and now the next job is to retrieve the decorations from the loft.

There’s no denying that hitting the high street to buy your Christmas presents is a very different experience to what it used to be.

So we asked the Gazette readers to shout out the shops from the past that they just HAD to visit in the run-up to December 25.

See how many of these were on your list, and add your own suggestions to our Facebook post here.

1. Woolworths

Gina Brown said: "Woolworths, was just telling my son about the shop this morning - going down the stairs and seeing all the toys as a kid." Photo: Johnston Press

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2. Binns

The Binns team pictured here in 1977, on the firm's 50th anniversary in South Shields. Margaret Ellis said: "Binns toy department, all decorated for Christmas." Photo: JPIMedia