Derbyshires Flowers

Whilst Derbyshires is primarily a card/​small gift/​stationary/​watch repair/​flower shop (how many places in Formby village are that wide ranging), most of the time when I go in there I just end up heading to the back of the shop and playing with the collection of small toys they sell that are barely appropriate for people half my age to play with, let alone me.
That section serves as a slice of nostalgia, harking back to a simpler time in my youth when I would visit the now departed Delahunty’s, the true king of children’s toys and bikes.
However, whenever I go in there with the intention of actually buying something, I mainly use it to buy cards, of which there is an extensive collection. It is also handy when approaching an occasion such as Valentine’s Day if you have no idea what to get your better half, offering a selection of chocolates and teddies if you are desperate enough. The watch repair counter is useful, but having barely owned a watch let alone a faulty one, I have not had the pleasure of using such a service.

Derbyshires is a great multi-​purpose store. From gift-​wrap, to flowers, chocolate, stationary, passport photos, colour photocopying, and watch batteries, this shop certainly has a lot to offer.
You can’t help but pick up a bunch of flowers on your way into the store, because they are arranged so prettily outside that they are virtually irresistable.
Once inside, if you’re looking for a gift, or the accompanying pieces (by this I mean, wrapping paper, a meaningful card) then Derbyshires’ has a great variety on offer.
I love this little store because the staff are so friendly, and you can just tell upon entrance that it is well-​looked after and that the owner cares a lot about the thoughts of customers.

If you want a card or some wrapping paper in Formby this place is a no brainer. Why then do I always seem to try everywhere else in the village before plumping for here. The reason, I think, is twofold. One — inevitably there is someone I don’t want to see browsing the aisles in here, someone I went to school with and can’t be bothered to try and make interested small talk with («oh, so you graduated and now you’re just looking for a job but there don’t really seem to be any around»)
The second and infinitely less anti-​social of the reasons is that it always feels a bit cluttered in here — like there are a lot of cards bearing down on you. It sounds ridiculous but when it comes to picking out greeting cards I would probably have less choice, if there is too much I will panic and pick out a condolence card for a three year-​olds birthday or something. This is of course an issue entirely of my own making and thus should be ignored — Derbyshire’s really is the ideal place to get a card for any and every occasion.
They also offer watch repairs (although a friend of mine who can barely tell the time himself once got a job doing this so I might have to query just how good this service can be). Oh and tea towels with Formby sights and scenery on them, which are make very nice presents.