From C&A to The Disney Store, these brands need to come back!
While C&A left the UK and Ireland 25 years ago, they remain open across Europe(Image: Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Remember when a Saturday in town was a proper day out? You’d meet your mates outside HMV, maybe nip into Topshop “just for a look,” and end up in a queue at The Body Shop with a basket full of stuff you definitely didn’t need. Back then, our high streets were buzzing. They were full of colour, character, and shops we genuinely loved. Now? It’s all vape shops and empty units.
We’re not just being dramatic (okay, maybe a little). These weren’t just stores; they were part of growing up in Northern Ireland. The places where we bought our first going-out outfit, begged for new school shoes, or spent ages flicking through catalogues pretending we were going to order something.
So, in honour of flaky glitter tops, 3-for-2 lip balms, and pick ’n’ mix so good it should be illegal, here are 10 shops we still talk about and desperately wish would make a comeback.
C&A
You haven’t known real drama until you’ve sobbed in the changing room at C&A because your mum’s making you buy “roomy” jeans from the Rodeo range. Whether you were dragged there under protest or voluntarily browsing for your next fleece, C&A was a staple. It’s store on Donegall Place closed in 2000 and we’ve been confused ever since. However, you can bet that if I visit a country which still has one, it is the first shop I visit!
Tammy Girl
If you didn’t go through a Tammy Girl phase, were you even a teenage girl in Northern Ireland? It was the place for glittery slogan tops, questionable skirts, and outfits that screamed “I’m 13 now, Mum.” Hidden inside Etam like a chaotic fashion Narnia, Tammy Girl helped shape your identity (and your fashion crimes). RIP, you sparkly legend.
The Disney Store
There was just something magical about The Disney Store. You’d walk in and immediately hear “Let It Go” or Circle of Life, while shelves sparkled with plush toys, princess dresses and mugs shaped like characters’ heads. Whether you were six or sixteen, it made you feel like you were in the middle of Disneyland, even if you were just on Donegall Place.
Barratts Shoes
School shoes, party shoes, wedding shoes, Barratts had them all. There was always a sale on, and your mum would say, “These are lovely and practical,” while you stared longingly at a pair of trainers with light-up soles. If you ever left Barratts without a cardboard foot measurer in your hand, you’re lying.
Ted Baker
Remember when Ted Baker felt fancy? You’d walk in, touch everything gently, and act like you might be able to afford it, even though you were just there for a browse. It was for job interviews, weddings, and “special occasions” that you made up just to justify the price. It vanished from our high streets and took our posh alter-egos with it.
Adams Kids
Back-to-school season meant one thing: a meltdown in Adams. It was the go-to for jumpers, trousers with “adjustable waistbands,” and formalwear for under-10s. You’d be itching to escape while your mum debated sock sizes. Honestly, it wasn’t fun at the time.
The More Store
The More Store was an absolute fever dream. One minute you’re picking up a faux-leather handbag, the next you’re holding a slow cooker and a set of curtains. Part bargain bin, part Aladdin’s cave. No one knew what it actually sold, but you always walked out with something. Bring it back. We’ll clear the shelves!
Index
Index was where you’d go if Argos didn’t have it or even if it did, just to feel fancy with a different catalogue. You’d place your order, stare at the conveyor belt of mystery behind the counter, and wait for your order to come along like some weird edition of the Generation Game.
Woolworths
CDs, pick ’n’ mix, stationery, and every Christmas gift set under the sun, Woolies had it all. You could waste hours there and spend exactly £3.50. When it closed, it felt like a personal attack.
British Home Stores
Homeware, tights, school shirts, lampshades, and a café that served gravy chips, what couldn’t BHS do? If your mum said “I’m just nipping into BHS,” you knew you were in for a good 40 minutes of wandering around and hoping for a traybake at the end. When BHS shut its doors, a little piece of the high street went with it.
They might all be gone, but they’ll never be forgotten, mostly because we’re still telling anyone who’ll listen how great they were.
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