WHSmith

WHsmith stores are everywhere with over 1,000 branches, named after it’s co-​founder William Henry Smith, it truly is a big face on the high street of Britain, and they seem to have a store in every airport, train station and even some bus stations, with even more than one branch in London Euston, this store is — you’ve guessed it, in a train station and is one of the larger stores in Manchester Piccadily, and the main newsagents serving the station alongside Sainsbury’s Local and a nearby Little Waitrose. I’d like to start off by saying, how busy this store gets sometimes (like the station) I’m surprised it hasn’t been reviewed since 2010 so I’m pleased to bring a much needed review here!
This store stocks a good range of things for your travel, with a slightly higher price due to it being in a train station, which is far too over-​priced compared to things in Manchester city center and even nearby stores such as Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.
The store stocks a good range of newspapers, with the Financial Times being stocked in good numbers, which can be hard to find at some places.
They is a great selection of drinks, with the hard to find ice tea, despite the high pricetag at £3, which might get you two but I’m not sure if it is just for one.
They have a great range of travel food including the Urban Eat gluten free wrap, which looked much better than the medicore ones on offer at Costa and Starbucks, who have stores close by.
They had a small stationary selection, but no folders as I’d have liked, but I didn’t expect this from a travel store.
This is a nice WHsmith store and definitely worth a look in if your in the station with a good range of travel accessories, as pointed out such as food, drink and books, but due to other factors mentioned and the pricing, I don’t feel they warrant more than 3 stars

Handy store in Piccadilly station where you can find the usual array of newspapers/​magazines/​quiz books/​stationery/​snacks and drinks for the obvious train journey ahead. A definite look in for something to amuse yourself for the upcoming travel. There’s normally a rather large queue in the quite small store but easy to talk to cashiers make it an easy way to spend a bit of time before you head off.

The one stop desperation stop! WH Smith gets you by the short and curlies and for this it irritates me and makes me mad.
It’s like Smith’s know that you don’t have enough time to nip out and find a cheaper alternative because you dare not miss your train, despite the delay, so what do you do? you pay over the odds for pretty much everything in WH Smith. And am I just being a teensy bit paranoid, but are things in here a bit more expensive than in the rest of the Smith’s chains?
Aside from the irksome side of things, there are positives, and those are, you’ve left your book at home, or on your last connector train, and you’ve got a four hour train journey ahead of you, books and magazines are sold here. You need a drink that isn’t coffee, soft drinks are sold here, same goes for snacks, a card for someone you’re visiting, the odd gift etc, but it definitely preys on the panic buyer, or the buyer who’s trapped in the train station, and for that WH Smith you are a meanie!
Oh and I didn’t even mention the tempting child height kid’s travel toys cleverly laid out on the lower eye level on the store entrance… hmmm how many children have I seen/​fallen over/​blatted out of the way as they scream blue murder amidst the I WANT I WANT I WANT over some shiny portable travel toy.
Good for last ditch travel requirements. Bad for preying on people in desperate need of last ditch travel requirements.

If you find yourself thirsty and at Piccadilly Railway Station then ignore Sainsbury’s and M&S — head straight for trusty Smiths. Why? Because more often than not you will be able to get a free bottle of Evian with a newspaper. It doesn’t really matter which newspaper it is, as it is always cheaper than a bottle of water on its own. If you’re really thrifty then you could run down the ramp to Pound Empire and pick up about 4 drinks for the same price, or you could always bring your own.
There are actually 3 W H Smith stores inside this railway station, but the one the other Unilocalers have described is the largest one, which alongside drinks and newspapers, stocks maps and guidebooks about the local area which can be useful to pass some time whilst waiting for a train. The staff don’t seem to be too bothered that most of the customers don’t even buy anything.
It’s also possible to pick up a limited range of kids’ toys and games to keep them entertained on the journey.

Now this is a fiendish design. The one thing people always want when they’re catching a train, and will almost always forget to buy, is a paper. If they can buy said paper, and overpriced sweets, then you can bet your ass they will.
WH Smith just stands in Piccadilly station with its doors wide saying, «Enter! We have all you desire», and people flock from all around to aimlessly spend their money on the mostly useless tat inside. Aside from the papers, anything else here would be better purchased elsewhere, but then again people rushing to catch a train at the last minute do no have the time for such luxurious bargain hunting.
Hence the fiendish design.

The Observer? Tick
Sunday Times? Tick
Telegraph? Tick
Mojo magazine? Tick
Elle magazine? Tick
Food and Travel? Out of stock.
Thanks WH Smith for almost making my Sunday afternoon.

I’ve occasionally bought things here whilst waiting for a train.
It’s a fairly small WHSmith branch, and I would imagine that if you were after anything slightly unusual you would probably go away disappointed. However, if all you need is a newspaper or a snack for the journey then you’ll be able to find what you want.
Do be aware, though, that this branch exploits its status as a local monopoly pretty ruthlessly — the prices of its snacks are fairly eye-​watering! I guess they count on people not venturing outside the station to get a better deal
It can get busy sometimes, particularly first thing in the morning, which could be a problem if you have a tight connection. But all in all, it’s a useful shop to have on the station forecourt.

As always a prime location for a book store in the train station. Even if you had not planned to purchase the temptation is there as you try to find something interesting to pass the time while you wait and the pub in not the best option early in the day. This store is pretty compact but you will find something to amuse and while away some time before having to join the queue and pay. Handy place to get some water or snacks for your journey also.