My local video store has recently been invaded.
We were members of Video City, a large store in Bulwell, Nottingham, that had not only a large choice but a really good reputation, so it was with surprise that we entered the shop one day to find out that it had been bought out by the 'Choices' video chain.Now as you very well know, change is not always for the best so I did wonder whether it was worth us traveling in the car to visit this store anymore or whether it was time to buy our videos from somewhere else.

Choices are infact a very large and well established entertainment chain with over 205 stores nationwide.
They not only stock a great range of DVD's, but also games. They also retail games consoles, DVD players and mobile phones too.

Let me tell you a little about my local store.

Choices in Bulwell, Nottingham is a really large store.
The large pay desk and customer service help sections in this store are easily accessible and surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of videos and DVD's.
The difference between the new Choices store and my old shop is that there are many more DVD copies to choose from.It seems more and more people are converting to DVD and where my old store did not meet the growing demand for DVD's, Choices does and admirably.

The new, top titles are clearly displayed and there are plenty of copies of each for you to choose from in both video and DVD format.

The problem that we had with our old store was that there were never enough copies of the new release films on offer and we used to have to pay in advance and reserve a copy to make sure that we got to borrow it on a day that was convenient for us.Since the store has converted to Choices we have not had this problem at all and have been able to walk into the store and borrow whatever DVD we wanted, when we wanted.

Another problem that we used to have was that sometimes we would borrow a film and then just be too damn tired to watch it and then we would have to either watch it of an afternoon if we could fit it in, or return it unwatched which was a great shame.
With Choices all top titles cost £3.25 per rental, but here's the great part....You can keep them for two nights.
I have to tell you that we have not had to return one DVD unwatched since we have been able to keep them that extra night.

There is an extensive range of older videos, the ones that have been out for a bit longer....These are great too.
At our shop you pay £1.50 and you get to keep them for a week. This is of course great for those weeks when the kids are at home.If yours are anything like mine they are very easily bored and sometimes a video is just what is needed at that unpredictable time when nothing else will satisfy them.

There is a section of the shop where you can rent and buy Playstation 2 games along with X Box and Game boy advance, and you can buy the consoles to play them on.
At the moment in our store...
No.1 GC Rental Chart:Metroid Prime
No.1 GBC Rental Chart:Pokemon Silver
No.1 GBA Rental Chart:Zelda 3 - Link To The Past
No.1 Xbox Rental Chart:Indiana Jones and The Emperor's Tomb

You can buy the X box from Choices at the moment for £129.99.......Not sure this is a big deal though...Argos have them for £128.

In the phone department they have the Nokia 3510i for £129.99.....These are 5p cheaper at Argos too, so although the prices are competative, they are nothing special and personally I wouldn't rush there especially just to buy a phone or a console.They of course have a choice of phones on offer, but I haven't found a price that excites me enough to tell you about.

I have yet to find a video shop that is completely disability friendly and I am afraid I cannot say that Choices is either. Shelves are very high, I struggle sometimes and I am 5 ft 4. Can you imagine how hard it must be to be in a wheelchair and want one of the films that is placed higher up the display.
There are one or two steps to some sections that need moving and replacing for wheel chair and pushchair ramps.The aisles are wide though and this is a plus.
They do have a section for children that is nicely decorated and has beanbag seats for the children to sit on.It's nice to see them recognising the purchasing power that our little cherubs have.

The staff at my local store are really nice and friendly.More importantly, they seem to know their jobs and are able to give you honest opinions about the films if you ask them,I often do.
They smile.This is so important.When I go into a shop I don't care what kind of day they have had, I want,and expect a service and I am happy to say that I have recieved this with choices.

Payment is by cash, or they take most cards including Solo which is my choice of card.You can buy sweets and popcorn to take home with you as well.
Opening times are 10.00am till 10.00pm plenty of time for everyone, nomatter what hours they work.

I am happy with the changes that Choices have made to my local video store.I have more time to watch my movies and that has been great and has infact meant that we now visit the store more often than we usually did.
I would like to see the store become more disability friendly though and woiuld say that this is something that all shops,not only choices should do more for.

They have a handy web site too that you might want to check out.......www.choicesvideos.co.uk

Thanks for reading.
Mandxx