On the first morning of its sale, Sasha was shiny-clean, just-hoovered and welcoming. It has smart wood floors and good, daylight-effect lighting with muted decoration. Despite the sale, rails were not over-packed, and if there were limited sizes available that can, I suppose, be blamed on selling off the end of lines. Less forgivable, the top rails are beyond reach and some stock on sale was marked by make-up around the neckline. The clothes are presented by group and colour, with casual wear on the main floor, teen-wear and shoes downstairs, and more formal items upstairs. Stock seems largely aimed at the pre-20s and post-40s, with less on offer for those in-between. There are two changing rooms - a small communal one upstairs with just pegs and mirrors and, in the basement, a long space featuring small stalls to give a little more privacy. These are shallow and deliberately without curtains, and each has a small shelf - for a handbag? There is also very welcome air-conditioning.
In both changing rooms, the paintwork and carpet are beginning to show signs of hard use, with gum marks and scuffing, but they were clean. Music is of the recent-hits variety, so you can sing of lost love while you disrobe. The staff were busy finishing the mark-downs and seemed a polite, cheerful lot and well-informed, even about what was available in other stores. They were perhaps a little hurried - but then, it was a special day.
Sasha is willing to hold stock until the end of the day, but won't take deposits during the sale. Credit notes can be given or exchanged, but refunds are not offered. The best feature of the store is its attractive layout and reasonable prices. Perhaps it is a bit unfair to criticise the staff for being unwilling to engage in conversation, given the day that was in it, but that was the least satisfactory part of an all-in-all very pleasant visit. Marks out of 10: 7 1/2.