UTILITIES

Water

It is safe to drink water directly from the tap unless there is a notice that says not to. Hard water problems exist in some regions in southern England. If you find that you don’t like the taste of hard water you can buy a water filter from an appliance store. Water filters cost around £15.

Electricity

Electricity is supplied throughout the United Kingdom at 240V and 50Hz. Plugs have three square pins but adapters are widely available in electrical goods shops costing around £4.

SHOPPING

Supermarkets

There are several supermarkets in every town, selling a wide variety of foods. Smaller stores tend to be slightly more expensive than the supermarkets, but might be more convenient. Major supermarkets in the UK are Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons. Asda (a part of Walmart group) and Tesco are usually the cheapest, followed by Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. Waitrose, part of the John Lewis partnership, is a little expensive but is reputed for its high quality products. Most towns also have specialist stores selling Indian, Italian, Arabic, Greek, Thai and Chinese food products. They can be found in the local Yellow Pages. Most supermarkets also offer the convenience of shopping online with a delivery service, sometimes free.

Pharmacies

Boots, Lloyds and Superdrug are popular high street pharmacies. They are usually open from 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.00am to 4.00pm on Sundays. In addition to the high street pharmacies there are also several local pharmacies. Some towns also have a 24-hour pharmacy available – look in your local Yellow Pages for more details.

Alcohol

You can buy alcoholic drinks, to take away from off licences, such as Threshers, Winerack and Oddbins. There are also privately-run off licences in many towns. These are usually open from 9.00am to 10.00pm. Supermarkets offer the best prices however. The minimum age for buying alcohol in the UK is 18.

Department stores

Department stores are the focal point of shopping in almost every town in Britain. Major stores are John Lewis, House of Fraser, BHS and Debenhams. However, the heart of shopping in Britain is the high street where established brands and other consumer items are sold through a chain of shops. High streets are becoming very similar around the UK. You’ll probably find the same kind of shops and goods wherever you are in the country.

Clothes

Clothes can be bought new from department and chain stores such as Gap, Next, John Lewis, House of Fraser, and Marks and Spencer. These can be found in shopping arcades in and around a town centre. Prices are generally more expensive during peak seasons, such as before Christmas, but are then heavily discounted during the New Year and summer sales.

Second-hand clothes can be bought from various charity shops such as Oxfam, Imperial Cancer Research and Age Concern. This is a cheap way of buying clothes and your money is given to charities. Second-hand clothes can also be bought very cheaply from jumble sales. You will find these advertised in your local paper.

Clothes/shoe sizes

Clothes and shoe sizes in the UK are different from continental European and American sizes. Most shops display European sizes alongside the standard UK sizes. Approximate conversions are given in the tables below.

Men’s shirts

US/UK	14	14.5	15	15.5	16	16.5	17
Continental	36	37	38	39	40	41	42

Women’s clothes

UK	8	10	12	14	16	18
US	6	8	10	12	14	16
Continental	36	38	40	42	44	46

Shoe sizes

UK	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
European	34	35.5	37	38.5	40	41	42	43	44.5	44.5	46.5	48
US (male)	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
US (female)	3.5	4.5	5.5	6.5	7.5	6.6	7.5	10.5	11.5	–	–	–

Electronic, electrical and computer goods

Dixons, Currys, Comet, Argos, Robert Dyas, House of Fraser and John Lewis are reputable dealers in electrical, electronic and computer goods. For second-hand goods, look around for adverts on your campus as graduate students tend to sell their goods at a low price when they finish their studies.

Bookstores

Waterstone’s and Blackwells are major high street booksellers in the UK. You may find a branch on Campus. Books can also be purchased form WH Smith, John Menzies (in Scotland) and several second-hand bookshops in town. During term-time second-hand booksellers may also have a stall at the Students’ Union selling academic and general books. Amazon.co.uk is also a popular online bookstore.

Look around for special deals during the New Year and summer sales. Shops are generally open from 9.00am to 5.30pm on weekdays (except Thursdays when some shops in large towns open until 8.00pm), from 9.00am to 6.00pm on Saturdays and from 11.00am to 17.00am on Sundays.

List of high street stores

Menswear: River Island, Next, Muji, French Connection, High and Mighty, TK Maxx, The Officers Club, Cirro Citterio, Burtons, Gap, Republic, Quicksilver, Zara, Primark, H&M, USC etc.

Womenswear: Miss Sixty, Muji, French Connection, Miss Selfridge, Warehouse, Principles, Monsoon, Next, River Island, Gap, Primark, H&M, USC, Dorothy Perkins, TK Maxx, Zara, Etam, Mango, Kookai, Oasis, etc.

Footwear: Clarks, Barratts, Schuh, Priceless, Jones, Ravel, Dune, High Rise, etc.

Sportswear: JJB Sports, JD Sports, etc.

Games/music/DVDs: HMV, Virgin, Oxfam, Fopp, Game, etc.

Other electronic/electric: Jessops, Robert Dyas, etc.

Jewellery: Goldsmiths, H. Samuel, Beaverbrooks, etc.

Toys/gadgets: The Entertainer, The Gadget Shop, Must Have It, etc.

Children’s: Mamas and Papas, Mothercare, Early Learning Centre, etc.

Stationers: WH Smiths, Rymans, Clinton Cards etc.

Health and beauty: The Body Shop, Boots, Lush, The Perfume Shop, GNC, Holland and Barrett, etc.

Travel agents: STA Travel, Going Places, Thomas Cook, My Travel, Flight Centre, etc.

Others: The Pier, Crabtree and Evelyn, Natural World, Disney, Lawleys, Thorntons, etc.

Laundrettes

Laundrettes can be found all around town. The average cost of washing a load is around £3.00 (plus £1.00 for drying). Halls of residence usually have washing machines for student use and these are generally cheaper. You will need your own washing powder and fabric softener.

DISCOUNT CARDS

NUS (National Union of Students) cards

Issued free by your Students’ Union an NUS card gives you discounts at most high street shops, museums, cinemas, restaurants, night clubs, bars, takeaways and other leisure activities. Further details about student discounts can be found online at www.nusonline.org.uk

ElMTs (entertainments) card

This card it not worth having unless you are a serious clubber. Issued by your Students’ Union the Ents card gives you discounts on entry prices to events in the Students’ Union. The card costs around £10 and usually gives a pound off ticket prices to events in the Union.

Young Persons Railcard

This is worth having if you are planning to travel around the UK by train. It costs £20, is valid for a year and entitles you to a third off most rail fares throughout the UK. The railcard can be used by anyone under 26 years of age, or a student in full-time education. You can apply for one at your local student travel agency or directly at any train station. You’ll need to take two photographs along with proof of your age (for example, your passport or Driver’s Licence) or proof of your student status if you are older than 26 years. Check the website at www.youngpersons-railcard.co.uk for further details.

National Express Coach Card

This card gives you 30 per cent off coach travel run by National Express – a major coach operator in the UK – and its subsidiary Eurolines. The card costs £11 and is available from National Express offices or agents. To find out your nearest National Express agent call 08705 80 80 80 or look online to www.nationalexpress.com

International Student Identity Card (ISIC)

This is probably the only student card that is recognised across the world. An ISIC card gets you discounted flexible airline student tickets and other student discounts around the world. In the UK the card costs around £7 for a year and can be obtained from STA Travel branches or by mail order directly from ISIC. You’ll need a photograph and proof of your student status. For further details see www.isiccard.com

Hostelling International Card (HIC)

Issued by the Youth Hostel Association, an HIC is useful when travelling around on a budget. Members are eligible for discounts on bed and breakfast in Youth Hostels around the world. Cards can be obtained from STA Travel branches around the country or at YHA hostels around the world. Check online at http://www.yha.org.uk for further details.