Back to School: Where to buy school supplies in Bedminster

It’s almost here! Not long to go now before the little darlings go back to school … which means it’s time for the annual scramble to make sure they have everything they need for the start of the new school year.

So, where to get the supplies you need locally?

For generic items of school uniform, the big supermarkets are an obvious place to start. Both George at Asda Bedminster and Tu at Sainsbury’s on Winterstoke Road have prices from as low as £2 for their school uniform pieces.

Asda’s new designs have adjustable waistlines and Teflon finish, and it says that their new school knitwear and sweatshirts are 100 per cent cotton; here are the prices:

• Packs of two polo shirts from £2
• Packs of two white shirts from £2
• Round neck and V neck jumpers from £2
• School trousers from £3
• Girls’ cardigans from £3
• Girls’ skirts from £2, gingham dresses £2 and pinafores from £4
• Macs cost £5 and school blazers are £10
• School shoes range from £5 - £14
• PE daps are £2, trainers range from £5 - £12.50 and a two-pack of shorts are £2.50 and it’s just £3 for jogging bottoms.

Sainsbury’s say their school uniforms are hard-wearing and great value, with features such as stain-repellent finishes, adjustable waistline and pretty detailing; its prices are:

• Cotton V neck jumpers from £2
• Cotton cardigans from £2
• Pinafore dresses from £4 and basic polyester skirt from £2
• Three pack polo shirts from £2
• Three pack white shirts from £4
• Trousers prices from £2 individually or from £4 for a two pack
• Mac from £7, girls’ and boys’ coats from £10
• Shoes from £12
• PE two pack shorts from £2, velcro daps £1.50-£2.50

And you can shop at both Asda and Sainsbury’s online and have the items delivered to you. Asda is offering free delivery on orders over £10 if you enter the code School2 at their online checkout.

A greener way of shopping for low cost school uniform would be to see what you can pick up in the local charity shops – after all, children grow out of their clothes so fast, and if there are no younger siblings to have the hand-me-downs, the charity shop is the next best place to take them.  Some of the local charities, like the Salvation Army which has a shop on East Street, regularly collect from our doorsteps as well, so the turnover of stock is good.

Shoes are something you’d probably want to buy new and the good news is that both Blunts and Shoe Zone on East Street have sales on children’s shoes at the moment. Blunts stock Clark’s shoes as well, and Shoe Zone has a good range of gym shoes/daps too. Shoe Zone is also selling plimsoll bags for just £1.49, with spaces to write your child’s name and class.

For stationery and pencil cases (featuring the ever-popular Peppa Pig and Bart Simpson), try Wilkinson on East Street. It is also selling files and folders, notebooks, pens and highlighters, and maths sets, all at very reasonable prices.

If your children cycle to school and their bikes need some attention, we’ve got some great local cycling shops in and around Bedminster. You could try Strada Cycles or Zero G Cycles on North Street, and there is a Halfords at the South Bristol Retail Park on Winterstoke Road.

If you’ve got any top tips or recommendations for back-to-school basics, share them with us here!