The shop feels like walking into a fever dream
In a sprawling warehouse just off Long Lane is an Aladdin’s cave of a bargain store that sells everything from Pringles to pillows. Nestled in an undefined region between Walton, Norris Green and Aintree, the shop sells everything from three-piece sofa suites to salt and pepper seasoning and sheds.
I visited the store for the first time this week to see what sort of bargains Barney had in store for me. What I found was beyond my wildest dreams.
I’ve lived in Liverpool for a decade now, but it turns out this city still has the potential to surprise me. Walking through the automatic doors of Barney’s Bargains, which are painted with cartoons of characters from The Flintstones, you’re immediately greeted by a set of DJ decks and a man in a high-vis vest shouting out to customers and staff.
At first I wondered whether this man was the eponymous Barney, but my attention was almost immediately grabbed by the fever dream-esque scenes in front of me once I stepped beyond the foyer into the shop itself.
The first thing I saw was a shelving unit full of Spanish cleaning products, which was situated directly opposite a row of fridges offering customers meat pies, salt and pepper chicken tenders, milkshakes and other random grocery items.
Could you do your weekly food shop at Barney’s? No. But you could certainly pick up some incredible deals on fresh food and also the aisles upon aisles of crisps, sweets, tinned goods and pantry items that were all stacked on the shelves in the first room of the store.
In fact, Barney’s Bargains would be a pretty safe bet if you were choosing a spot to see out the zombie apocalypse. Not just because there would be enough food to keep you going for years, but because they’ve also got beds, sofas, clothing, DIY essentials, batteries and everything else you could possibly want.
Every aisle I turned down was a surprise.
What would come after the paint and wallpaper section? Dog food. What would I find behind the five-piece suitcase sets on special offer? Rugs.
There was seemingly no order to the products on offer and it made the entire shopping experience feel far more exciting.
When you go to your usual supermarket, DIY store or high street shop you know exactly where you’ll find certain products.
In Barney’s this sense of familiarity and organisation is abandoned at the door – your only option is to lean into the chaos and embrace every second of it.
On my visit to the shop I walked past electronics, cleaning products, cereal, party decorations, make-up, children’s toys, flooring, bedding, paint, wallpaper, perfume, hair extensions, sofas and clothing.
From the road outside it’s impossible to appreciate quite how big the store is. It’s cavernous. Every time I thought I’d reached the end of one section, I’d find myself walking through an entrance into a new area with another category of products.
The shop was absolutely heaving with customers when I visited on a Friday lunchtime, and while some shoppers were filling up trolleys with DIY products and homeware, others were browsing the rails for new clothes.
There is no other shop like Barney’s Bargains anywhere in Liverpool. I sincerely doubt there’s another shop like it anywhere in the world.
It’s chaotic and at times confusing – but it’s an absolute treasure trove. I had to resist the urge to fill a trolley full of random items.
Forcing myself to be sensible and reserved, I managed to pick up one item that I’d been meaning to buy elsewhere – for a price I couldn’t quite believe.
Close to the till I spotted a discount bin full of Bluetooth headphones for the bargain price of £4.99. I made my purchase and walked back out to the car park, past the life-size model of The Simpsons’ family sofa, wondering what I’d just experienced.
Next time I find myself trawling round numerous shops to track down an item I can’t seem to lay my hand on I know exactly where I’ll be heading to find it.
Whether I’m looking for a set of garden furniture or a bar of Dubai chocolate, I’d bet my house that Barney’s will have it in stock.
