Northampton - Worth the Trip?

[CHECKstar]

I'll be traveling to London in a couple of weeks for work. The way the schedule is shaping up, I'll have a weekend , possibly a weekday and a Saturday morning of free time. The plan is to pick up a few pairs of shoes in my free time.

I am wondering if it would be worth the time heading to Northampton for shoe shopping? Are there bargains to be had? Basically what I am trying to weigh up is the cost of giving up half a day or so vs staying in the city and stumping up a bit more. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

[KObalto]

There are quite a few threads on Northampton if you search. Here is a recent one: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=31400

 

[GBer]

Do you know your size in JL, EG, etc in last XXX? Do you have English shoes? Fit and style is different from American or Italian makes. If not, best to stick with the stores in London. Your Aussie dollar is strong at the moment. Anyway you do it, don't forget to get your VAT refund.

Call ahead! First of all, ask if they have your size. If not, well... you know the answer. Additionally, you are planning to go Saturday morning... I do not believe all factory stores are open Saturday morning. If they are, the hours will be limited. You will need to call to ask about hours. As for style and size, it's hit or miss. Worth it if they have something you are looking for, but that's the chance you take.

It's about an hour from London Euston to Northampton. The following train website might be of use to you.

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/servic...metable/search


If you can't spare a few hours, forget about it.

 

[PhiloVance]

When I made the trip, it was worth but it sounds like prices at John Lobb have gone up since then and C&J no longer sell handgrades at their store. Perhaps I'm wrong. You may want to call and ask when the factory stores have their sales - it would definitely be worth a trip if the seasonal sale is during your trip.

 

[Oleg]

Originally Posted by CHECKstar

I'll be traveling to London in a couple of weeks for work. The way the schedule is shaping up, I'll have a weekend , possibly a weekday and a Saturday morning of free time. The plan is to pick up a few pairs of shoes in my free time.

I am wondering if it would be worth the time heading to Northampton for shoe shopping? Are there bargains to be had? Basically what I am trying to weigh up is the cost of giving up half a day or so vs staying in the city and stumping up a bit more. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

The range on offer will be bigger and prices so much better in London than you get in Oz. If it's only a flying visit, i'm not sure I'd bother with Northampton, myself. There's not a lot else there (a gig at the Roadmender? A Cobblers (Northampton Town FC) game? Cricket? Can't think of anything else that has dragged me there in the past) so if you lucked out on the shoes, it's a wasted journey. Certainly phone ahead (and if it's a weekend, check there are no engineering works on the train line. I'd happily pay a bit extra London to avoid the rail replacement bus.

 

[GBer]

Update:

Originally Posted by GBer

Edward Green Factory Sale

Saturday 21st May 2011

9.00 am - 16.00 pm

Cliftonville Road, Northampton NN1 5BU

http://www.edwardgreen.com/index.php

 

[blackdice]

JL recently increased their prices at the factory shop in Northampton. It used to be 220-250 across the board but now it's in the region of 400+.

EG factory sale is okay, although the discount is only around 30% and it's extremely crowded.