Another recommendation that I would never have known about otherwise so I feel duty bound to tell…read moreyou about Heel Stop. Living in the Jewellery Quarter and wearing spiky heels do not mix! But Heel Stop repairs this type of shoes starting at £4.95 for just heels. They have just repaired one of my favourite pairs of extra comfortable (but still high) shoes; high wedges that have a rubber soul which they managed to completely rejuvenate for £14.95. My boyfriend takes all his boots their too. We both walk everywhere so there is a lot of wear and tear. On top of their fantastic prices, all the gents behind the bar always greet you like they value your business and have real pride in their work. Oh they cut keys and sell numerous related goods too. Tucked away in the indoor market, where all the food stalls are is this great value shoe repairer. In fact the only downside is the food - I'm not a big meat eater so those stalls put me off slightly but if you're on the hunt for other great value traders, this is the place to head to.

Is it just me, or does it strike anyone else as being strange that shoe repairs and key cutting are…read morecrafts undertaken by the same person under the same roof? The only thing I can think that they have in common is that a sharp implement is needed to do each job. I've had keys cut at One Step Ahead before. I was astonished at the price, until I found out that its pretty common for a Yale type key to cost a fiver to be cut. Heavens. So, if you need a key cut and you are in the area, One Step Ahead is maybe one of a few key cutting shops to go to. And for shoe repairs? Maybe some revision and a bit more expereince on the part of the owner could turn some average jobs into glowing ones.

I've never had a pair of shoes repaired in my life. This is probably because I don't buy very…read moreexpensive shoes, and it's essentially cheaper and easier to buy a new pair once the ones I'm wearing begin to fall apart at the seems. I'm missing out, I think, as it's possibly one of the most dapper and gentlemanly things in the world to say, "Do you like my brogues? I've just had them re-heeled". Sadly, this is something I may never get to say. I have, however, had to get keys cut, and on more than one occasion I have used the services of One Step Ahead for this. There's not a lot you can ask about freshly cut keys other than a) do they work? and b) Did you have a heart-attack when the bloke told you how much. With regard to this store the answers are, a) Yes and b) only moderately. But, really, what are you going to do, break a window? It's cheaper than breaking a window, put it that way. I wonder how much he charges to re-heel brogues?

This is a great little collection of shops that have uniquely remained together, even after moving…read morefrom The Swan in Yardley to Acocks Green. Entering the store you are greeted on your left by a jewellers, and on your right by a shoe repair service; And at the back of the store lies a clothes alteration department. If you are a new customer, from my perspective, you're not sure exactly what to look at first, but I'm guessing that all three areas have built up their own regular shoppers, who know exactly what they are after. I love the independence of each, and the way they have survived by supporting each other. All three staff members are also very friendly, and the store feels warming, homely and old fashioned when compared to corporate businesses. The jewellers section also stocks a variation of unusual gifts too. From Betty Boop mugs and clocks collections (which are perfect for any enthusiast), to metal money boxes and watches. So it's a great place to buy presents for somebody. Or simply get your shoe repaired.

These guys are a great example of not giving in to the big, corporate bullies. When the Swan…read morecentre was sold to Tesco they effectively lost their small, independent businesses as they had nowhere to trade. Instead of accepting that they joined forces, found a nearby shop and trade as a collective. They had been at The Swan for nearly 20 years but wouldn't have been able to afford the rent on a property individually. The result is an extremely successful, wonderful and quirky arrangement that delivers three businesses for the price of one. There is a key cutter and cobbler, a jeweller and a haberdashery. The services they offer also include engraving and clothes alterations. All three businesses are friendly, helpful and normally cost very little. If you need one of these services and are looking for a bargain then this is the place for you.

Left some heels for re-soling and when received them back they had a mark on them from a bic pen,…read morewhen asked to fix it, they did a botched paint job that made it look even worse. Do not recommend for shoes you care about.. not worth the lack of help or service... no apology or anything for the issue they caused and made worse! They didn't even seem to care.

The word cobbler evokes a Dickens-esque scene from the 19th century for me. I have a soft spot for…read morethese old trades that still inhabit obscure spots around the city - I admire the artisan and I admire that in an age of excessive consumption and mass manufacturing there's still enough demand for an ol' cobbler. My favourite brown oxfords had worn down to the point I was worried that they might wear through to the sole of my foot. So on a quest to find a suitable place to perform the repair on my beloved shoes, I was pointed in the direction of the Piccadilly Cobbler. I fantasised that I might have been greeted with some cockney rhyming slang and a nod of a flat cap, unfortunately my fantasy was not realised, but nonetheless he swiftly returned my shoes to their former glory as I wandered around town. Some things just can't be replaced sentimentally, aesthetically and economically so in the instance of waning soles here you have a cobbler. Good day.

If there's a job to be done around the house, then I'd rather someone else do it than do it myself…read more And I'm lucky(?) in that I follow in my mainland European roots by renting rather than owning my home, so it is usually up to someone else to arrange and carry out repairs. This shop is particularly handy for one thing. The owner must have close links with someone who works at a weather station. He always knows when it will snow and as soon as the blanket of white falls there will be plastic sledges on display. Its either that or he has loads of sledges in storage somewhere and just plonks them out front, but that's not a very mystical or magical explanation. So, when Argos have run out of human-propelled snow vehicles, and you are at a loose end, here is where to come.

If you ever need a light bulb, WD40, a handful of nails or a gazillion other DIY related items,…read morethen this place is king. I have never gone into this shop and been unable to find what I'm looking for. It is stacked from floor to ceiling with useful stuff. The staff are really knowledgable and helpful. The last time I went in I needed some clear grout for the kitchen. Had absolutely no idea where to find it, what it was or how to use it. When I turned up in the shop I also had my son in the pushchair. The guys behind the counter patienty explained what I would need, went to get it for me as I couldn't manoeuvre the pushchair round the narrow shelves and then showed me how to use it. Thy even fitted the grout ino the gun thingy for me. Now, that is hat I call service. The price is good, the service great and it's a bit like a DIY grotto, what more could you possibly want from a local shop.

If you look back through my many, many reviews, you will notice that I've reviewed a few key…read morecutters, due to my nomadic habits. Well, let me tell you - this is the one I'd recommend most in the town centre. I've always had a good, prompt, professional service here and the keys they cut have always worked for me and my friends. However, these guys aren't just your average key cutters. They also offer a heap of other services to do with keys such as opening safes and vaults, provide security consultancy and install expensive security products such as alarm systems and cameras. Now I've never needed any of those services, but if I did, I'd start by looking here as I've always had a professional response from them whenever I've been in there. Nice.

There is nothing glamorous about a locksmith; they do a menial task that no one else can do. Ever…read morebeen in that situation when you lost your keys and your mobile phone? These are the guys you call to get you back into the warmth of your pad. They are your saviours if you are locked out in the cold British weather. On the one occasion I locked myself out of my flat I decided to call my landlord first to see if he had a spare pair. When I spoke to him he told me that he couldn't and he advised that I call and pay for a locksmith. I looked these guys up in the phonebook (yes I know, should have been Yelp!) and I called this business. They told me that they could come out the next day or straight away as an emergency. As I had nowhere else I wanted to go I decided for the same day service which turned out to be a little pricier. I had to wait for two hours for them to arrive, and once they did I was not in the best of moods. I made a bit of chit chat, but my mind was on getting in and once we did I was relieved. Overall I'd say I was pleased with the service I received, but in the morning I woke up and found the keys in my wardrobe. Take care of your keys, if you don't you may end up in a pickle like I was.

Jim from JF Locksmiths offers a great service at a reasonable price. He was quick to respond to my…read morecall for help and fixed the issue immediately. From what I have seen online the price paid was very reasonable. If you want an expert and professional locksmith service I would recommend Jim anytime.

From the owner: Supply and fit open and replace all types of locks Including…read moreupvc door locks.We are part of the yale expert.and offer a 24hr emergency service.

There are not enough stars to award this brilliant locksmith and his business. A 20 minute…read moreappointment stretched to nearly an hour. He tried everything to re-code the key so that the car could read it and start up. He pulled so many tricks out of the bag I thought he could be a wizard, but, for a while he was stumped. He didn't give up though. The original job and price altered understandably, afterall, Smart cars are notoriously problematic. When I had reached my cut off point, he continued that little bit longer refusing to be defeated. He tried a new key circuit board, tried re-coding that as well as the original. Finally his tinkering and expensive, top of the range tools did the job and we now have a car again. All this for a measly £120. We thought that it would have been well over £200 based on the original quote I'm so pleased that I could burst. A sincere, considerate and genuinely hardworking individual. You would be a fool to use another company.

From the owner: Family owned,auto locksmith and mobile locksmiths professional & personal security services, with…read moreold fashion values and service.

First visited after having our lock snapped on an attempted break-in and received great advice and…read morea good quality anti-snap lock. I recently visited again yesterday as we were struggling to lock the door from the inside, and was looking for a new lock/barrel (which I was about to spend £40/50 on). Instead of taking advantage or selling me something I didn't need, he asked questions, gave advice, and quickly realised that it was fine and just needed a clean. The lock was sprayed/cleaned and was good as new. Didn't have to spend a penny! Very knowledgeable and genuinely nice guy. Please support local! Couldn't have asked for more. Truly deserve your business!