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Remember to look on the floors for the clothes you want.

Wow! how much lower down the social scale can Basingstoke go. Even the shoplifters don't go to Pykemark

some people just like to pick holes in everything. not every-one's got money to splash around.

The wrong shop for Basingstoke. What started off as nice flagship department stores (Owen Owen & Alders) is now a low grade chav shop. If we sink any lower we might as well shut the whole Town Centre down and just have a big car boot sale instead!

don't you think we have enough higher price shops in the new part of town? whats the point of paying out loads of money when you can dress the kids and yourself for less money? not everyone has a high paying job you know.

Pleaseeeeee we need a john lewis!!! Primark is just another matalan the clothes may be cheap but they fall apart! so in the long run you end up paying more, people should realise that! I never visit the chav end of the town anymore.. all the junk shops are together at least, tiger, the shop oppersite that full of crap stuff, the book shop thats only there several times a year, willkingsons and several other closed shops, now we have this huge pile of rubbish! GREAT!

so we got matalan primark and a Q.S big whoop there's next,bhs,debenhams, and all the other shops in the covered part of town. not to mention the next over by matalan. with young kids they grow out of there clothes long before they fall apart. so why pay more for them?

It's a false economy to think that these clothes are saving you money. My wife once bought me a pack of five pairs of pants for a amazingly small price from Primark. I ended up calling them my 'disposable underpants' because once they'd been worn and washed you had to throw them away. Are there any still in my drawer? No. Do I still have the M&S pants still going strong? Ofcourse.

sorry you had problems with your pants. but i know with my kids they grow out of thing faster than they destroy then so how can that be false economy? i would rather pay £2 for a t-shirt that's going to be to small in a month than £5 for one that's still goin to be to small in a month

So we have a primark. All you fashion gurus that are currently slating it, my suggestion don't bother going near it. Your not forced to buy from there. I personally have purchased goods from primark and took them on Holiday as throw away t-shirts. Because I personnaly didnt want to walk around in the jamaican sunshine during the day rubbing my sun tan lotioned sweaty body on my over priced commonly worn by every other bugger high end department store t-shirts. If John Lewis had wanted to come to basingstoke wouldn't they have been first in line for one of the largest stores. Debenhams or BHS for example. Infact forget John Lewis lets get Harrods in for you big time spenders. I personnaly think it's a good store that is affordable and will create jobs for local people and therefor bolster the towns economy.

Some people have too much time on there hands!!! We have a big Primark where I live and there has never been any problem with clothes in there!!! Pants man- maybe you should wash more!!! this is the best thing to come to amazingstoke about from a bomb!!!![bold]bold[/bold]

I can't believe so many people are having a go at Primark. When you have a young family, who grow at a rapid rate you can't always afford to buy expensive branded clothes. So what if they don't last that long - kids grow out of clothes quickly anyway! Primark is NOT chav - why are clothes from Primark shown on fashion slots on tv??? Why is Primark always recommended in fashion pages of magazines??? Just be happy that there will be shoppers in The Malls section of town.

It's essential that every town has shops that cater for ALL - young, old, those on a budget, and those who choose to spend more on clothes etc. I think there's a good variety of shops, bars and restaurants in Basingstoke. I buy most of my familys clothing in debs, next and M&S but i also buy items from the cheaper shops too espeically stuff the kids will get messy/painted/torn climbing trees!!! It seems to me that those oppossed to this store opening are the sort of people who make friends based on the postcode area in which they live in or on the car they drive (the I-wish-i-was-somebod y's of the world). If you don't like the shop then don't go in........ how hard can it be???

There is nothing wrong with Primark. As a family with a daughter we get alot of our clothes out of there. As someone said no one is forcing you to go to Primark.

I think it is abcolutely hilarious that this has sparked such a huge debate! As someone who recently started work in the Basingstoke area, I was amazed to find out that there wasn't a Primark here already. I mean, I think it will suit the people of Basingstoke down to the ground...[bold]cheap & most definitely chavvy![/bold]

Well, what an unpleasant, sneering, supercilious bunch we have here. Totally agree with Wammy - shopping centres have to cater for everyone, not just the "look at my label" brigade who'd go out wearing a plastic bag if it said "Gucci" on it. If you're lucky enough to be able to afford designer labels, or clothes from the larger stores, then good for you - aren't you lucky (but then, they do say a fool and his money are easily parted). However, let's not start sneering at those who have less cash to splash - after all, you never know when you might find yourself in the same position.

How much do pants cost in primark?

surely it’s better than having it empty as it has been for 3 years and if they don’t like it then don’t shop there!!

Whos going to create a Basingstoke Primark Appreciation Society group on facebook then?

Im after new pants do they do camouflage style. Seriously though, of all the things happening in out local community this has seen the most postings by far. What a shallow bunch of individuals we are.

I think you'll find there already is an appreciation group on facebook!

It's certainly a popular shop in any town. We need a variety of styles as well as prices. Let's face it, most clothes are massively overpriced so it's nice to be able to buy things that you would normally avoid. I think the other shops will be watching carefully, and hopefully adjusting their prices to try and get some customs back! Chavvy or not, you'll all be tempted to see what all the fuss is about?

All we need now is a load of council flats at Gresley Road to complete the transformation of The Malls into a ghetto. As for not having money to throw around, what a load of old rubbish. I guess that explains why a number of customers stand outside with a fag in their gobs. Not got money to throw around, but got it to burn! Sure kids grow fast - but if you can't manage to cloth em' on benefits, don't bloody open your legs in the first place! Primark, Opened by our Mayor too! Wow! Basingstoke, big ideas without the budget! Single parents, scroungers and beggars welcome!

At least I now know where I stand socially - proudly among the 'pykes'and chavs! My family all like and shop at Primark. One wonders how those who denigrate the store so vehemently manage to know so much about it - could it be through their frequent visits? Or is it just a snobbish response to the idea that some people can't afford expensive clothes? Recently I was at workshop with local secondary school kids. Asked what they wanted to see in terms of new shops (and before the Primark announcement), Primark was top of their list. They and their parents will now shop in our Town instead of elsewhere. Of course all of us who continue to shop at Primark could be entirely wrong . . . or maybe not. Best wishes to all, Horace.

[bold]Not being funny but all you lot are dissing a shop which half your family probably shop in!! The only difference is..you could do it sneekly by going to Reading where no1 knows you... Im glad Primark has come to Basingstoke.. its not cheap, its not tacky and its not all on the floor, you clearly havent been in there it is the tidest primark i have ever seen. Just give it a chance, you may not like the clothing or the shoes but other people may. you may like shops your friends dont so whats the point in moaning. Enjoy the shop!! and stop the moaning!! if you dont like primark, dont shop there !!!![/bold]

How very flexible of Horace Mitchell. I guess you could liken a Primark garment to a Horace Mitchell promise - cheap and not likely to last(Pack Lane ring a bell geezer?) I didn't know they were doing building materials now Horace(just how did you get that back garden development at Mitchell Mansions through planning? mewonders?). Come the local elections Horace, you may find yourself needing to shop in Primark through necessity - rather than slumming it for fun to canvass the shallow end of the voting pool. I've got one, I've got one.... Horace Mitchell walks into Primark and says ''I would like to see the cheapest suit you have in here'' to the assistant. She says ''You're wearing it''

I've got one too: Basingstoke from class to crass endorsed by the Council ****. . .

I hope that Gypsy Kempy is not suggesting that because Cllr Horace Mitchell shops in Primark, Basingstoke got one? The planning permission for a development in his back garden was correctly obtained and followed all the normal procedures.

Not sure about HM having undue influence as such, but it is odd that the whole Pack Lane consultation business is being ignored by the local rag. As he got shares in Newsquest too? Or is someones company a 'Gazette' advertiser. . . Friday's Headline from this weeks Gazette: Marc Bolan dies in car crash

[quote][bold]Horace Mitchell[/bold] wrote: At least I now know where I stand socially - proudly among the 'pykes'and chavs! My family all like and shop at Primark. One wonders how those who denigrate the store so vehemently manage to know so much about it - could it be through their frequent visits? Or is it just a snobbish response to the idea that some people can't afford expensive clothes? Recently I was at workshop with local secondary school kids. Asked what they wanted to see in terms of new shops (and before the Primark announcement), Primark was top of their list. They and their parents will now shop in our Town instead of elsewhere. Of course all of us who continue to shop at Primark could be entirely wrong . . . or maybe not. Best wishes to all, Horace.[/quote] Horace Mitchell - and you think anyone is surprised that BDBC gets their ideas from children ? lol

I dont understand why this is such a touchy subject, I wouldnt shop there my self, but there should be shops of all value in town to suit all budgets, and its employing alot of people which is another good thing. Although this isnt the a story to do with Horace or other councillors, I would suggest people read up on the matter of the council footing the £36000 bill for a consultant to help out Highclere castle to build nice big houses in their grounds, sorry Horace but your names against that one!!

I too would love to see John Lewis in Basingstoke. Before I retired from the Borough Council in 1995, as Leader I asked the Officers to investigate whether we could get John Lewis as the department store in what was to become Festival Place. The answer came back that they weren't minded to come: too close to their other stores in the neighbourhood. Debenhams came instead. At that time Basingstoke was attracting only 60% of every pound that should have been spent here: the other 40% was going to places like Reading, Southampton and Guildford instead. We put in place the strategy of improving Basingstoke through the Leisure Park, the Anvil and the redevelopment of the town centre. I believe it worked: Basingstoke is now seen much more as the regional centre that we wanted it to be. This thread had made the mistake of assuming that the new Primark store will define Basingstoke. It won't. The new shop is in addition to Debenhams and Festival Place, not instead of it. Festival Place is a well-repsected brand name now. In my opinion the next step forward for the town centre needs to be a refurbishment of the Malls. This is more likely to happen if all the units are occupied than if some are standing empty. So, whilst Primark may not be everybody's choice (in which case people can go to other shops that they prefer) it will help the vibrancy of the town centre and make it easier to attract further investment. Finally, let's not forget the top of the town. I believe we need to do more to attract small specialist shops. The whole country is seeing the demise of the small shopkeeper and I don't know that we can reverse that, but the top of the town is an asset that could be used better, in my opinion.

Buying cheap products manufactered in China will destroy british business and is leading to china becoming a new empire financing governments around the world and dominating global trade. We need to reject cheap rubbish and insist on quality. In the end, there will be no other choice.

I av 5 kidz and dont got no money cept wha i get from doll. primark allows me to look arfter my kids chheply. my boys jordan and nike get throo shoes every month. what els can i do?

Dear Chantelle, In answer to your question 'What els(sic) can I do?' the Leader offers this advice: 1) Contrception is free 2) You could try working 3) Adoption and social services may be able to take better care of your kids. Kind regards The Leader

Good on Primark - the graphic equaliser of shopping (lowers the tone) - and welcome to Basingstoke! Now with the smell of fags throughout the malls has something to be associated with.

This comments section has shocked me. I had no idea Basingstoke had so many snobs. That store has been closed for years and Primark coming can only be a good thing for an almost forgotten end of town. For those people looking down their noses at Primark have they actually been in the new store??? I went in today and it's a very bright, very well laid out, inviting store. I'm not keen on a lot of the clothing in there personally but the childrens section is very good and just what a lot of people need for their ever growing children. So to all the snobs out there, if you don't like it then don't shop in it, simple.

I move out of Basingstoke 8 years ago but family still there when they come up to London they shop in Primark and love it and everyone I chat to from the stoke on facebook love having Primark in Basingstoke [bold]The snobs of Basingstoke- Remember where you live!!!! its not like Basingstoke is like Kensington!!!! its just the london overspill town![/bold] I m coming down in a few weeks and looking forward to going in the store Long live Primark in Basingjoke!!!! which is what most of you that have wroke commets are!!! Bet the Mayor of Basingstoke so proud of his people!!!

Can I just say; I do not live in basingstoke. Primark is oneof my farourite stores because there is such a big choice. Many of the clothes are not Chavvy. If you don't like Chavvy clothes you should Be having a go at places like Inovations. Don't you ever wounder why you can't return things? I don't trust shops like that. Also; I'm 14 and anything but a Chav.

Please for heavens sake learn how to spell.

Basingstoke is greatful for its Londoners. Before they came we did not have Primark, a concrete shopping centre, Popley, head lice, fleas and crime. God bless dem Lundners'

I'm so pleased that Primark has opened in Basingstoke after years of waiting for one to open. I think Lee must have had some bad luck with the pants that his wife bought for him as we have been buying clothes including underwear from Primark and they just don't wear out. I am wearing a cream fleece top that I've had for about 7 years and it's still going strong after hundreds of washes and no stains to be seen on it. I'm not a chave but love Primark. I will now be shopping in Basingstoke instead of making the trip to Reading or Southampton.[bold]bold[/bold]

Well, I'm going there tomorrow morning to look for a couple of new shirts. I look forward to new ideas and new prices. How many of you travel to Blackbush Market on a Sunday morning looking for bargains I wonder. It's certainly crowded all year around. It's nice to get bargains without the travel and the queues?

[quote][bold]Bonzo[/bold] wrote: Well, I\'m going there tomorrow morning to look for a couple of new shirts. I look forward to new ideas and new prices. How many of you travel to Blackbush Market on a Sunday morning looking for bargains I wonder. It\'s certainly crowded all year around. It\'s nice to get bargains without the travel and the queues?[/quote] Blackbush(e) market - now that is Super Chav/Pikey/Council/L ow Rent etc etc etc.

I love primark, but my parents wont take me :(

[bold]bold[/bold] [italic]italic[/italic] My parents said they would ake me to primark today, in camberly, but as we are going to basingstoke tomorow we are going there instead. [bold][italic]Is this new primark bigger and better than the one in camberly[/italic] ?[/bold] Please leave a comment to reply!!!

I've heard that the local jumble and car boot sales are going to offer to price match Primark.

What a great new store Primark is, BUT, they don't cater for larger sizes and as usual it's mostly for the ladies. The mens shoes department has about 20 varieties whereas the ladies department is as far as the eye can see. But all in all it's very good for the majority of people in Basingstoke.

Why has Primark has caused so much controversy? Just because it is not to your tastes, doesn't mean it's bad for everyone. I bet you that the person who talked about the problem with underpants earlier on washed them at the wrong setting. We need to cater for all ages and tastes. Better still, we have a big chain who can help bring The Malls back together. All we need now is John Lewis (or possibly House of Fraser) and we have a full set: no need to travel to Reading!

I agree David, really this isnt an issue, its a shop, if you dont like it then dont go there! there are far more important things to get steamed up about.

How ill-informed and judgemental some people of Basingstoke are. I actually work in the new Basingstoke Primark store, and I've never been in such a nice atmosphere. If any of you actually bothered to research the "cheap" clothes that Primark sell, you would actually find that they are so reasonably priced because they bulk buy in such large volumes and only popular sizes. The clothes are most likely to come from the same factories that shops like Next, Debenhams and Topshop buy from, as they use the same fabrics. Some people are just stupid to pay over-inflated prices for the same items, they obviously have too much money! If people would like to call me a "pikey" or "chav", then I would gladly take that name over a FOOL who thinks they are snobby and upper class living in Basingstoke.

[quote][bold]The Leader[/bold] wrote: Dear Chantelle, In answer to your question \'What els(sic) can I do?\' the Leader offers this advice: 1) Contrception is free 2) You could try working 3) Adoption and social services may be able to take better care of your kids. Kind regards The Leader[/quote] What a selfish, judgemental, bigoted comment! Unfortunately, it is this, along with many other comments in this thread, not Primark that make me ashamed that I live in Basingstoke.

I agree with Hayley. I love primark for its cheap prices (doe's that make me a chav or what ever else you want to call me from that statement?) I mean I'm a student myself and its good to get some good cloths closer then Reading. I'm not quite sure why people are making it into such a big deal. But I also think its good, I come into Basingstoke on the train with friends, and I know a-lot of other students, who do as well - wont this bring good business around other store?! Have a good day! Georgie

I am really pleased that Primark has finally opened in Basingstoke. Not everyone can afford 'designer clothes' everytime they go shopping and what with the fashions changing every few weeks, its great that Primark can offer us these at the prices they do. For those of you that keep saying 'we need a John Lewis and that Primark is for 'CHAVS', dont bother going into the store and go and shop in Reading where personally, I think is more 'chavvy' than Basingstoke and contains a lot of rude, ignorant people. As a hardworker who owns a home but likes nice clothes, I am all for Primark and wish the store good luck!

I find all this talk of Primark and chavs comingh rather amusing, this is Basingstoke we are talking about - should Basingstoke cater for a large proportion of its populace who are poorer than in other areas (also known as chavs/scallies...). I have no qualm with primark coming to Basingstoke as it complements what is already on offer. If you want upper scale brands and higher quality products you already and will always go elsewhere.

I have never been so amazed in my life... I lived in Basingstoke for years and my family is still there as well as friends, how dare you snobs wax lyrical about "chavs" etc etc?, This is Basingstoke not covent garden, if you nouveau riche types think that shopping somewhere like primark makes someone common then it just shows what silly materialistic idiots are out there, what makes someone cultured and classy is going to a museum or reading a **** book not where they shop. For example, I am well spoken educated and as far from a "chav" as you people who like stereotypes would see, but I shop in primark because I choose to work for a charity trying to support other human beings, the pay isnt great so I cant afford bigger shops, so apparently that makes me low rent does it? I assure you if this is your idea of delineating the class system by where someone shops, take a long hard look - because you are the common silly one. Its a shop!!!! If you have that much venom about what people where consider for a moment those people who cant afford any clothes at all, or food for that matter and basically get over yourselves!!

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