Evolution can be pretty much described as an arty, inexpensive everything shop and I love it to death! The franchise that I usually visit is in Sheffield’s Orchard Square (situated just off Fargate, near Virgin Megastore), although I have occasionally frequented shops in Birmingham and Nottingham, and I find it virtually impossible to leave without buying a few little things. They change their stock so frequently, that it’s pretty difficult to tell you what to expect, but I’ll give you a general run-down of the likely suspects....
Evolution stock a large range of things to spice up your bedroom. No, sadly not gorgeous hunks, but loads of cushions and throws to make your house (or room, in the case of the many students who shop there) a paradise of relaxation. The soft furnishings are arranged in colour combinations, which really helps if you’re one of those people who can’t co-ordinate. Cushion covers can be bought with or without the cushion pads in most cases and start at about £4.99. They sell fake fur covers for that Austin Powers shag-pad look and sari fabric covers for those with a more refined taste, and although they aren’t that cheap, they look gorgeous. However, they do have occasional sales which make them more affordable. In one sale I found an embroidered throw with mirror panels down from £40 to £10, so you can find bargains during
sale time.The sell a range of accessories for the home such as wooden CD racks in the shape of zulu warriors (much more impressive than they sound!!) and figures carved from soap stone. They also sell a limited range of cups and bowls. Recently they have had some gorgeous blue/green glazed Chinese bowl for sale, as well as mugs with Chinese symbols on them. However as Evolution seem to follow the trend pretty quickly, when ‘Chinese’ is out they will invariably get something new and exciting to replace their stock.
The perfect place for buying inexpensive gifts for your friends, they also stock pictures frames, fragranced and coloured candles, cards (although a limited number of designs) and the paper to wrap all your prezzies in! However the reason I love them so much are the bags.I have a bit of a bag obsession I have to admit. I follow the train of thought that you can never have too many bags or bottles of nail polish and so I have a tendency to visit Evolution on a regular basis. I have purchased a medium sized green transparent back pack - £2! A small shoulder bag in blue Hawaiian shirt type material – again £2 and a present from my understanding boyfriend. A large hemp canvas bag for £4 and a gorgeous sari fabric shoulder bag for the bargain price of… Wait for it… £1.75!!!! My bag fetish spirals so widely out of control when I visit I have to take my boyfriend to calm me down – he now refuses to let me buy a bag unless I throw an old one away because I have no room for them!
I also buy a lot of small boxes from Evolution to use as gift boxes for jewellery. I have bought coloured glass boxes for £1.50, gold wooden boxes for £2.00 and a beautiful woven metal box in the shape of a handbag for about £2.00. I find that these little boxes (which Evolution often seem to stock) are perfect for putting a pair of earrings into for a present and look much nicer than wrapping paper and sellotape. Other Evolution purchases have included a nodding dog for my boyfriend’s sister (Congratulations on passing your driving test Joanne!), a sarong for my friend and some jewellery again at very low prices. The shops are usually pretty small with wooden floors, but they do try and cram a lot of stuff into them. There are lots of glass and wooden shelves around the walls of the shop, as well as free-standing shelving units in the middle of the floors. The nature of the layout in the Sheffield branch means that it would be a nightmare for mothers with young children as lots of breakable things are in easy reach. Also it would probably be difficult for access by wheelchairs or pushchairs as it is often quite crowded and the free-standing units don’t leave too much room for manoeuvre.
The assistants range in age and seem to be a diverse bunch, but are always friendly and helpful. They also don’t stare at you when you’re shopping (which I always find off-putting) and they don’t go up to everyone and ask if they need any help – another thing which annoys me. When you go to pay, they wrap your purchases in tissue paper so they don’t get broken or damaged and you get a funky purple bag to put them in. They do accept credit and debit cards (including Solo I think) which is the most dangerous part for me!Evolution is a really unusual shop, but it has loads of interesting items for sale and (mostly) very cheap prices. It’s always one of the first places I look for presents for friends because it sells such nice things and I really cannot recommend it enough. During term time at Uni I visit two or three times a week, so if you visit the Sheffield branch you may see me (I’m not trying to put you off honestly!!)!
For a map of where to Find Evolution in Sheffield see:
www.made-in-sheffield.com/OrchardSquare/OrchardSq-Pg2.htmAnd now for the science bit....
Evolution can be found in the following places:Birmingham (31 The Pallasades)
Brighton (42 Bond Street and 89 Western Road)
Bristol (G12 The Galleries, Broadmead)
Cambridge (5 Fizroy Street)
Dublin (GPO Arcade, Henry Street)
Essen (Porscheplatz 51, City Centre, GERMANY)
Glasgow (396 Byres Road)
Ipswich (5 The Thoroughfare)
London (65 Kings Street Hammersmith and 38 Wood Green Shopping City)
Manchester (8 Market Street, The Royal Exchange)
Newcastle (17 Whitecross Way, Eldon Square)
Norwich (4 Davey Place)
Nottingham (110/111 Upper Broadmarsh Shopping Centre)
Sheffield (19 Orchard Square)
Valencia (Calle Jorge Juan 17, 46004, SPAIN)
13.07.2001 20:23
Darn thought this was a review of the film! :)
05.07.2001 19:39
Great review! And I like the way you listed the stores all over the country as I didn't think that I had one near me but I do!! Looks like I'll be paying it a visit in the near future after reading this :-)
02.07.2001 18:29
I am always on the lookout for a bargain, so this sounds like my sort of shop.....Robin