I know that quite a few people have already reviewed Primark but I thought I would stick my nose in and write a review as well (it's a long one so go to the end if you just want the pros and cons, and a bit of advice!).

Primark has, on and off, been a presence in my life for at least 15 years now, and indeed probably longer. As a child it was the bane of my life - we didn't have a lot of money when we were growing up, and Primark, in Ipswich, therefore provided a lot of my clothes, including my blouses, skirts and socks necessary to make-up my school uniform. I think I spent most of my childhood clothed in cheap polyester clothing, whilst coveting my friend's Nike wind-breakers (thankfully that coveting didn't last long when I realised that being a goth was more fun than wearing what everyone else was). So the thought of Primark as an adult made me shudder with memories of being bullied and feelings of polyester against skin.

Consequently, imagine my disgust when whilst working in Hammersmith a few years ago, I saw that the Co-op in Kings Mall was changing into a Primark. How I laughed and suggested to my friends that on the opening day we go and laugh. Suffice to say I didn't laugh, I was shocked. Shocked at the range and the quality of the clothes (I will go into this in more detail later). So my hatred of Primark, on that day, turned into a mild 'love affair'.

I now live within shopping distance 3 Primarks (hey, I live in South-East London - of course I live near 3!) and they all differ dramatically.

WOOLWICH - I will never go to this one again. I work near Woolwich and I popped into this one when I needed some pants. It was like a jumble sale - there were clothes EVERYWHERE, the staff were rude and unhelpful and I literally walked in, picked up my pants and quickly left. There really didn't seem to be the range that there is in other branches either - I think this might be due to the size, but to tell you the truth, I didn't really stay long enough to get a real sense of the size.
It also appears to constantly have sales on (I've seen the signs as I've walked past) and I can only put this down to the fact that as it is a constant jumble-sale that clothes get damaged so they sell them off even cheaper.

LEWISHAM - this is my local branch. I actually don't mind it - I will never go on a Saturday because many people in Lewisham are EXTREMELY rude at the best of times, let alone where bargain fashion is concerned. I always tend to try and pop in on a Tuesday after work - they have their deliveries on Tuesdays (don't ask me how I know, I just do) and therefore the new styles are in. Best to get them quick before the vultures get their hands on them.
The staff are pretty surly but wouldn't you be if you got wages like them? Come on, you can get a pair of jeans for £8 - the staff are NOT going to have very high wages!
The changing rooms are fine - clean, tidy and I've never had to wait very long to get in them.
It has two floors and a pretty decent range.

BROMLEY - ah now, this is the branch! Until January, Bromley had a store pretty similar to Lewisham's, although I never found the range as good. Then, Primark bought up the 3 storey Alders and the town now boasts a 3 storey Primark store (apparently one is opening on Oxford Street in the West End also!).
Of course, the added space means a bigger range (although I still often find things in the Lewisham one that I can't find in the Bromley one) - and as this is a 'flagship' store - it's cleaner, tidier and the staff are more helpful.
I can't comment on the changing rooms yet though.

Ok, so that's the stores near me - as you can see, a very mixed bag. Going into a Primark store will never be a really pleasant shopping experience, but I can see that the benefits out-way the cons.

THE RANGE
What is really shocking about Primark is the range of styles they have. It can often be hit and miss, but for 'classics' such as t-shirts (no more than £4) and cardigans (no more than £8) they are extremely reliable.
I wear a LOT of Primark clothes. I started buying them because they're cheap and I don't like spending a lot of money on work clothes. Then I started noticing that if I got any positive comments from people about what I was wearing, I was ALWAYS wearing something from Primark - never that 'groovy' top that cost me £40+ … oh no, that top that cost me £4. I found myself BOASTING how little I paid for that 'cool' new item!
Some of their stuff is really appalling - but that is generally because they look at what is going on, on the catwalk, and take it to ridiculous extremes (their range of peasant skirts spring to mind).
I'm not too 'up' on the men's range - my husband is a bit of a snob when it comes to clothes shopping - but I'm managed to pick my dad up some great jumpers and shirts from there.
Their range of socks, tights and underwear is fantastic. The knickers are again, hit and miss. I've bought £1 knickers that have lasted a year; pairs that have cost me £2.50 (a rarity in Primark!) that last a month - the socks are the same. But then I've paid a small fortune on new underwear from M&S to have the same happen. I'd rather spend 'pocket money'!
I don't get on with their bras at all. I find the sizing to be very odd, and if you are like me and have a little bit of padding in your bra, it always gets messed up in the wash.
The nightwear is hit and miss also, especially the pyjama bottoms. They don't fit around the front and back too well, although these have recently improved I've found.

THE QUALITY
Again - this is pretty hit and miss. I bought a black blouse from Primark 2 years ago, that cost about £4, that I've worn almost every other week, and I'm still wearing it to work. Alternatively I bought a handbag for £8 and it broke within 2 weeks - first the handle and then the zip.
The t-shirts are definitely getting better in quality and are lasting a lot longer than they used to. Socks are better also, they used to 'hole up' within a couple of months, but now I find that they last longer. As I'm ALWAYS losing socks to the sock monster, I don't cry too much because I can buy another 5 pairs for £2.
I can't comment on the shoes, as I've never bought any.
Bed-linen is pretty good - we've bought pillow cases from there and they've washed up well and are comfy. I've never bought towels or anything like that so again I can't really comment on their household stuff.
For children's clothes I personally think it's invaluable. I buy them for my nephew and at first, my sister balked at the idea (again, another label snob) - however when she found that the clothes seemed to be as hard-wearing as her Addams and Mothercare clothes, if not more so, for a fraction of the price, she soon came around to my way of thinking.

VALUE FOR MONEY
Well - you can't go wrong either. You know how you occasionally make 'fashion errors'? (well … I do, I don't know about you!) Who cares? It only cost you a fiver!
Obviously clothes from M&S, River Island, Oasis etc. are better quality, but then they also cost 5 times more. I would have to say that I find a lot of Primark stuff to be better quality than Topshop - but that's not difficult - however much I love Topshop, it's clothes are often pretty ropey quality.
If you want cheap essentials, fashion and some bits for the home, you can't go wrong with Primark.

Ok, to sum up (I know this has been a long one):

PROS:
o Cheap
o Quite a wide range
o You can make fashion errors
o You will start to boast about how little you spent on your groovy wardrobe
o Essentials are cheap and invariably good quality

CONS:
o The staff and shops are of variable quality!
o The range can be hit and miss
o The quality isn't as good as some other shops

ADVICE:
Ok, if you now like the idea of braving the crowds and shopping in Primark let me offer you a few last tips:
o Find out when their delivery date is and get in there - before everyone grabs the new styles. If you are like me, a size 12-14, you will find that these sizes sell out before any others.
o If you really like something - buy two of them. I have 3 pairs of the same jeans, they are a FANTASTIC fit and a pair has worn away at the bottom because I wear them with trainers - the other pair I wear with boots - and I have a spare pair for when those ones wear out!!! £24 for 3 pairs of jeans? BARGAIN.
o Don't go on a weekend - they are manic.
o Keep your receipt if you want to exchange or get a refund; I have never known them to do either without one
o Never go to make an exchange or get a refund on a Saturday - everyone and their dog is doing it.

I hope this review has been helpful and you've stuck through to the end!