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Back to school with Drake Circus
Uniform, bags, trainers, school shoes and more
It’s back-to-school time and Drake Circus is the easy and fun way to get all your uniform, sporty buys, school bags, tech and stationery organised in one place this summer.
With a huge range of shops, cafes and restaurants, plenty of carer-child parking, excellent transport links and baby-changing spots, Drake Circus and The Barcode are here to take the stress out of back-to-school shopping.
With an offers page full of discounts for every budget, our family days out guide, delicious food and drink and more, this is back-to-school buying made easy.
Download and print out our handy back-to-school checklist1. Start the day with some much-needed breakfast
Back-to-school shopping on an empty stomach? Not advised… Get ready for the day ahead with breakfast and coffee at Costa Coffee and Starbucks or enjoy the kids’ breakfast at Cosy Club with pancakes and sausages from £5.95.
2. Pick up uniform and school bags at Marks & Spencer, H&M, Smiggle, Next and Primark
Image provided by Marks & Spencer
Blazer, polo shirts, non-iron shirts (go for short sleeves for younger ones to make it easier when they’re painting and creating), skirts (pleat and straight), pinafores, shorts, trousers (different lengths are available alongside skinny and plus-size) and culottes – whatever uniform basics you need for girls and boys then head to Marks & Spencer, H&M, Next and Primark for quick and easy updates.
With multi-packs, non-crease and easy washing plus a huge range of colours (navy, grey, black, blue and white) and sizes alongside unbranded school bags, you can grab everything you need. Smiggle is also great for bags and matching stationery offers.
3. Find winter coats and outerwear at River Island, Mango, H&M, New Look and Mountain Warehouse
Image provided by H&M
From light early-autumn and summer jackets to warm winter coats, find what you need for every weather at River Island, Mango, New Look and Mountain Warehouse.
4. Get your school shoes at schuh and Marks & Spencer
Image provided by schuh
Black school shoes are a must for every school uniform list. Whether it’s girls’ chunky loafers and ankle boots or Kickers, Dr Martens and Velcro fastenings, find what you need at Marks & Spencer and schuh (take in an old pair of shoes and get £5 off and check the offers page for other amazing discounts).
5. Stop for mid-morning break
Take a much-needed sitdown and rehydrate with Hotel Chocolat (with a dreamy hot chocolate for the kids) or a refreshing watermelon bubble tea at Bubble Citea.
6. Sort your sport bag and PE uniform at Foot Locker, Footasylum and JD Sports
Image provided by Footlocker
A fleece, polo shirt, joggers, shorts, long socks, plimsolls and trainers, swimsuits and football boots from adidas, Nike and Puma: Foot Locker, Footasylum and JD Sports
have you covered.
7. Update underwear and socks at Primark and Marks & Spencer
Don’t forget the basics. For underwear, vests, socks (long and short) and hairbands, Primark and Marks & Spencer are your go-tos.
8. Find pens, books, stationery, water bottles and extras at Flying Tiger, Mooch, The Entertainer, Smiggle and Waterstones
Image provided by Smiggle
Must-haves for secondary school include a pencil case, pens, rubber, ruler, pencils, exercise book, calculator, highlighter and protractor. Pick up everything you need including water bottles, reading books and academic diaries at Flying Tiger Copenhagen, Mooch, The Entertainer, Smiggle and Waterstones.
9. Deodorant, cleansers and more at Boots, Lush and Superdrug
Image provided by Lush
Get stocked up on with natural deodorants, shower gels and tea tree oil products and great teen skincare from Boots and Superdrug (good brands include CeraVe, Byoma and Cetaphil). Don’t forget the basics including toothpaste, cotton wool and hair accessories in one quick sweep with vegan treats and Afro hair products at Lush.
10. Finish the day with a movie and tea…
And, if you’ve still all got energy –head to the Barcode and treat them to the kids’ menus at Franco Manca, Brewdog and Nando’s, plus crazy golf, family movies and more.