It may be a strange location,or maybe not, but last year a friend was doing one of Plas Y Brenins rather expensive and excellent map reading courses.
Plas Y Brenin, located in Capel Curig, have a shop located at the rear of the premises, and the two members of staff working there, have some of the best experience and training in Snowdonia.
When my friend was getting kitted up for his boots, ( their own boots, as they have roughly over a hundred pairs of every size and width imaginable on shelves behind the sales counter) i was told a great deal of very valuable information that unfortunately i did not take in, but for a total novice looking for free and expert advice on choosing the right boots, Plas Y Brenin in well worth a visit.
The problems with Cotswolds, even though their staff are pretty knowledgeable, is that their main focus is selling you a pair of boots.
By all means return to Cotswolds or other outlet, but seek advice from people who are not under any pressure to sell you something.
The staff at Plas Y Brenin are there chiefly to serve the clients who have booked on one of the centres superb courses, and their expert advice is magnificent and totally free, without pressure to sell you something.
By all means grab yourself a cuppa, or buy a map when your there, but the staff are amongst the best trained in choosing equipment, and i only wished i had taken in what i was told.