Warden Bros

i was very disappointed in the service in the kitchenware dept. Two days ago i observed a mature sales assistant turn away an elderly female shopper who was asking for a tundish. im sure such a shop does stock a variety of these funnels but it was apparent that the assistant had no interest or respect and was dismissive and unhelpful in her attitude. I wont bother to give them my custom either.

Blimey, Wardens should be renamed «The Never-​Ending Store That Has Just About Everything». Seriously.
I have many fond (ahem) memories of being dragged, I mean brought, down to Wardens with my parents. Usually the visit was a long and tiresome, er, lengthy and informative one, consisting of mum and dad dandering round the furniture department, the decorating department, the gardening department, and the kitchenware /​appliances department. Every ten year old’s dream really.
These days, I definitely appreciate Wardens much more than I used to. You could literally spend all day in the place, browsing the various departments. If you come in off High Street, you are greeted by a beautiful gift section, filled with ornamental goods, china, glassware and the like. You can find everything from Alice in Wonderland figurines to Goebel cats to Denby pottery to Tyrone Crystal. Seriously good stuff.
Following on from this is the gardening /​pets /​kitchenware /​decorating department (they sort of merge into one), in which I found a little jar of Jellybeans (considered purchased). Really goes to show the variety of goods Wardens has.
The furniture etc department (you know what I mean… pictures /​frames /​carpets /​rugs and all that jazz) lies beyond this, leading out towards the car park which is located off South Street. Parking here is advisable — Ards is an absolute madhouse when it comes to trying to find yourself a space.
You just never know what you’ll find in Wardens… there truly is something for everyone.

Warden’s is, for me, the best bits and bobs shop in Newtownards. It’s one of those huge big department stores with lots of different areas and slops and upstairs and downstairs areas and parts where tall people have to duck and fat people have to squeeze. It stocks everything from bespoke wedding hair pieces to hose pipes. It’s a general store not unlike the department store on the popular BBC comedy of yesteryear ‘Are You Being Served?’ There is a section for wallpaper and paint, cookware, furniture, artwork, jewellery, screws and garden accessories to name only a small fraction. The only thing I will say is that it can be expensive and parking out the front is impossible. Go out the back to park, you will have to pay and display even if you are only nipping in as there is a traffic warden lingering somewhere all the time — don’t risk it. Although the store is expensive it does stock a lot of bits and bobs and the sales are pretty good.

Wardens has that air of the Grace Brothers store in ‘Are You Being Served’, but I like it none the less. It’s along the lines of a traditional (old fashioned would be too cruel a term!) department store but the great thing is that it sells some bang up to date interiors pieces and homeware. Some of the stuff is really pricey but there are loads of affordable trinkets too, everything from crockery to table cloths, pictures to garden spades. Among all the tradional peices there is aldo some really funky furniture. I have had my eye on the purple and green striped sofa for almost a year now. Sigh.
No late night opening for this store so go during the day. Also, parking is a nightmare and you have zip chance of getting parked outside so use one of the nearby Pay and Display carparks. Wardens also do an interior design service if you feeling flush and would be a good place to buy a wedding gift.