Anyone into a bit of light bondage? If so, this old…read morefashioned hardware store sells a small but sturdy selection of ropes, chains and padlocks. Go shopping there in your leathers though and you might risk giving the old men that run it a heart attack. A family run business since 1856, M L Banfield is a quaint hardware store where they still use pen and paper rather than computers and give you hand-written reciepts. They stock everything from locks, keys and door knobs to lights, letter boxes, hand tools and ironmongery. They also offer a locksmith service.

It has everything that I could possibly want for my house. For real! I love everything in there…read more They have amazing stuff from tableware to woodenware, textiles and enamelware, from glassware to tea pots, jugs and mugs on a shop with such a nice decoration and pleasant staff that makes a shopping experience being so good. The shop is really cool, on a building with a lovely colour and all the wonderful things are organized in a neatly and tidy way that makes it even harder to resist. Ok, I couldn't decide on what to buy (luggage restrictions - but good for my wallet, otherwise I would just bought everything!!) so I had to go one second time to check again and buy as much as I could! Thus, two times on the same day and they already knew me! Oh well, is just the way it is, but they were friendly, chatty and their product knowledge is amazing. So, feel free to go around, buy all you need (and what you don't need but there are so many awesome things that is just impossible not to) and try not spending all your money! Totally worth it.

Utility is a fun little shop selling all those household items you didn't realise you needed until…read moreyou walked through the doors. Their philosophy is supplying goods that are both attractive and hard waring, the name of the shop and the idea being drawn from WWII rationing. They have a large range of bakeware, storage pots, utensils, dining ware, aprons and tea towels. Some items even come with explanations in case their use isn't obvious. I came away with a couple of old fashioned preservation bottles and a nifty little device to stop teapots dripping - a highly original Christmas present and lots of fun while the recipient tries to guess the function of said gift! The shop owner is really friendly and loves a chat as you browse. They also have an on-line shop if you're not local but still want to check out what they have to offer.

Amazing range of tools, and friendly staff member Nicki was very helpful. Would definitely…read morerecommend!

Tinkers is actually two shops, occupying next door premises in the heart of Seven Dials. This is…read morereally the upmarket version of Ransoms on London Road, and a similarly wide range of goods are available. One shop seems to concentrate more on 'classic' hardware items - paints, nails, sandpaper and the like. The next door shop is more oriented towards general homewares - pet foods, haberdashery, toasters.....it is difficult to see how such a wide range of goods is available in two very small shops, but they manage it. The friendly staff will help advise you with anything you need, and although I'm not sure how long it has been there, I get the impression this has been a local institution for some time.

I stayed away from UD for many years because I assumed that they would be super expensive for…read moreeverything [I think they quoted us for fence panels once and they were priced as if they were made of gold, but it was windy season] but when doing my kitchen renovations they were invaluable - they had things in much smaller quantities than Wickes [you could buy individual washers instead of a pack of five, for example] and the staff were knowledgeable, and friendly. Parking is a let down here, but otherwise it's a nice little shop with a lot going on inside.

This place is really a builders supply centre for the trade but they welcome the general public…read moretoo. They have tools for every occasion and unlike the local DIY shed, they made to last and the staff can explain how to use them. They also have a massive range of quality wood and other products which make them the first stop for me when I'm starting a project. Helpfully, they will deliver to the local area if you can't fit your purchases in your car. Their a bit more expensive than the local DIY shed, but there's a clear reason for this. One word of advice - avoid the 'boy' in favour of being served by the older staff... he takes ages to serve you and doesn't yet always know what he's talking about. Brilliant place in all other respects.

This place was started nearly 30 years ago and has now expanded into 2 stores which supply the…read moreBrighton & Hove area. " stores might not sound a lot but when you consider the big chains such as B & Q and Homebase they have done well to compete for so long. They have D.I.Y equipment for literally any occasion, if they haven't I will eat my socks! fact! The guys know the store well as it isn't a massive chain so you will get better advice here then you probably would elsewhere.

There's no doubt that Brydens has the most comprehensive inventory of DIY products that any DIY…read moreshop has ever carried...EVER. Ok, perhaps not, but if you're talking how many items they have in here per square foot, then they definitely win hands down, their stock even spills out the door. I have not idea where they put it when the close at night... Many household items of mine have been replaced by Bryden's. The doormat outside our front door, our shower curtain, our doorknobs and even our bathroom bin. Great prices and a friendly service have kept this place open for decades.

This is one of the larger stores of the Robert Dyas hardware chain, set over two floors…read more Although not the cheapest store, it's reasonably priced for most things, and it sells all kinds of incredibly useful stuff - like an extensive range of drain unblockers, should you ever need them. They also do a good range of things like kitchen plastics and assorted small electrical items (kettles, microwaves, office shredders). Another bonus is that this store is open seven days a week (things always tend to go wrong when you least expect!). They'd get another star from me if their service was better: the staff are generally friendly and try to be helpful, but it always seems a bit chaotic, especially at the till. They need some process improvement here.

The advantages of living in Brighton are endless. One of the disadvantages is the endless amount of…read morelimescale! I've lived here almost four years now and in that time have gone through three brand new kettles. I know I drink a lot of tea and coffee but not enough to justify burning out new appliances. Having bought the last couple of kettles from Currys, I decided to check out the kitchen section of Robert Dyas this time and was pleasantly surprised by the goods on offer. As well as stocking a variety of travel kettles, cordless kettles, filter kettles and traditional heritage kettles with whistles, they had a brushed stainless steel number from Kenwood. Marked down from £50 to £24.99, I scooped it up and took it to the counter where a lady called Mercedes rang it up, complimented me on my hair and wished me a lovely evening.

This mop emporium has every kind of random houseware. Their mops are made to last, mine has only…read morehad 5 heads and 2 handles!

Every household item you might need. They even cut keys for my Japanese import camper ban.read more

I feel strangely manly when ever I enter this branch of Travis Perkins, I feel like I should be…read morepurchasing hob nail boots, a flourescent jacket, and some tools that I hardly have the strength to lift! However, my appearance belies the fact that I am far from a DIY expert...that said, the staff are always amazingly helpful here and are never condescending when I ask a stupid question regarding carpentry, cementing or the like. I have had wood cut to size here for garden steps I intended to build, I have brought cement and pave fix for regrouting the patio (half done), and many other tools, screws and paint etc, most of which remains untouched! They always seem to know what product fits my needs, and will order it in promtly if they don't have it in stock. Regardless of whether my DIY tasks ever get completed, Travis Perkins will remain a regular haunt, even if it is just for the smell of testosterone that surrounds the place!

This is a great shop for DIY enthusiasts nestled in the lovely shopping area in Kemp Town…read more The good thing about this kind of establishment is they are so friendly, you don't feel like a complete muppet when asking for advice on which tools to buy or just for advice on a current project. They have some great bargains in here if you ask or dig deep. I recently bought a Makita drill from there and it came with a good discount.

I looked in on these guys today out of nothing more than passing interest and was rewarded to find…read morethat there is a totally practical and well stocked out hardware store in Kemp town. This is refreshing as, to my knowledge, for years all you were ever to find on St James street and the surrounding area were great cafes and lifestyle shops, the bohemian attitude shunning such practicalities as tools. But now the good people of Kemp town can arm themselves with all they need to take on any DIY or basic home repairs without having to travel across town. As it says in the other write up's of this place the service is flawless. Not like the spotty disinterested teen that may have shown you around BnQ or the burly blokes in the trade centres that seem to be fluent in builder. No these guys seem to have the Kemptown Attitude to running a shop and the knowledge to give you exactly what you need.

Try the cafe from breakfast to Sunday lunch , ask for Mark the cafe manager always willing to help…read moreall the girls are patient, nothing is too much trouble , oh ask louis to cook your breakfast I'm doing weightwatchers and he has been very helpful. The main wyevale garden centre offers so much it's hard to list . Always an array of colours a bountiful haven for any budding gardener , or just to look at .

Property is so expensive in Brighton that what would be considered a bin yard up North is…read moreconsidered a spacious front or back garden here! Being lucky enough to have both a spacious front and back garden, I am always on the look out for gorgeous new plants. I usually buy my lavendar and herbs from Flower City round the corner and go to Wyevale Garden Centre for everything else. It's expensive but the stock is always varied and extremely good quality. They have plant pots, soil, gardening furniture and seeds inside and a massive selection of seasonal and perennial flowers, plants and fruit trees inside. I've bought everything from rosemary, thyme and chilli plants to dahlias and rose bushes and everything has grown beautifully. In fact, if I could afford it I'd go back tomorrow and order fig and olive trees for next spring.