Hmmm...... what's a keen home chef to do?…read more The chef's blowtorch that one can buy from John Lewis, Robert Dyas, etc are all the same small hand-held unit. Trust me, I've looked Frustratingly, the flame here isn't consistently powerful, especially with the passage of time and refilling the fuel from a butane cannister is slow Watching TV cookery shows made me envious when I saw the TV chefs wielding large and powerful blowtorches. On my recent to The Pass restaurant, I was able to chat to the chefs preparing my meal and they advised me to go to a hardware store and buy a professional blowtorch That's exactly what I did today. Wickes had a great looking professional blowtorch where you just twist off and replace the entire butane cannister when it's empty instead of needing to refill an integrated unit Watch out duck, scallops and creme brulee! Daddy's got a new professional blowtorch!

I have not been there since the revamp, it seemed to be less of an B & Q look and more of an…read moreimproved Homebase feel. I went up to the kitchens and bathroom part upstairs, and was impressed with the reception I received from a nice young lady, whom gave me all the information I required to help me make my decisinon in the new year. That is what I call service!

I knew I was in trouble from the moment I saw the big sign over the old Waterstones store on Epsom…read moreHigh Street - it said "Lakeland Store opening soon". My Chinese thrift gene generally keeps my spending in check but I have a weakness for cookbooks and kitchen appliances. Visits to Lakeland stores have therefore been dangerous sorties for me and my wallet in the past. Now, they've only gone and opened a store where I work! They carry a range of kitchen and household products. For my American friends, think William Sonoma but with a wider range of goods. They opened for business yesterday and I only had a brief look round. Fortunately not enough time to browse and buy properly. When I feel strong enough to resist, I'll be sure to be back.

Ye Ha! O source of wisdom that is Chinese! Lakeland indeed is a joy to shop in. When I first…read morenotified Lakeland H.Q. about the appreciation of their Epsom opening they sent me some vouchers of free mints, if I spent a £5! Unfortunately I can not enjoy them ,diabetic, but my wife will, with the oven hand muffs , and an item that I can only describe as a mini microwave cooking pot, in durable transparent plastic, which cooks baked beans and other tined items in their emptied form ,do not put the tin inside, unless you want wings or a trident, Long live Lakeland.

Ponden Mill has been one of the stalwarts of Epsom High Street for years if not decades. It's not a…read moreshop you would pop into regularly but it was always comforting to now that if you needed some soft furnishings, you could always rely on Ponden Mill to be there. Therefore, it was with great sadness that i noticed the 'Closing Down Sale' signs on the shop windows today as I drove past. I think the recession is still wielding the axe and it's sad to lose the variety on the high street with another independent shop closing. Might have to look in the sale though.

Had a bad experience in Reading branch where I bought a duck feather pillow which smells really bad…read moreand try to return on the next day and was told it is non/refundable - tried to reach out to the company through website "contact us" and yet nothing Product is faulty and should be returned - should be as simple as that

Needed tiles for several spaces as part of an extension and renovation. I received a really helpful…read moreservice from the Versatile team in guiding me on tile styles, colours and finishes. I took many tiles home so I could see what they looked like in situ. All ordered tiles arrived as needed and even got two additional tiles delivered within 24 hours.

Popped in today, so helpful. Let me take a couple of boards home. Can't wait to order them. Even…read moregave me some design tips.

I did an on line check on this store.Although the Web link shows Croydon Depot, I requested them to…read moreconfirm that Epsom was still Trading. Full marks for immediate reply.

From the owner: Tile and Bathroom productsread more

When they first arrived and I came across this showroom , I must confess I thought it would not…read morehere long, however I don't mind saying how wrong I could be. I know their advertising campaigns are strong, and they make the tops look good on screen ; although actually seeing them "in the flesh" as you might say, seeing was believing, and they appeared even better, unfortunately I had already had my units done!

My advice to any prospective customer of this company would be to avoid them. They talk a good talk…read morebut in reality they are unable to communicate with each other, sub contract work to irresponsible, unprofessional workmen with poor standards of workmanship and cause a fair amount of damage to your home in the process. Our job was supposed to take 4 weeks. Due to their appalling customer service and the fact they continually damaged one thing repairing another it actually took over 24 weeks! They failed to even apologise properly until they saw the comments I put on checkatrade and attempted to get me not to publish them. They are incredibly expensive, which we were happy to pay as we believed the owner's claims he would professionally project manage the whole process. He didn't! He continually ignored our messages ad didn't turn up when he said he would. His workmen even told my wife twice they were just leaving for the day when she had actually gone home early and was home and they were gone literally hours beforehand. Bottom line - get someone else to do your job or learn yourself, it will be done quicker!!!

Originally one of my calls then known as First Class Fixings. Still Expanding and long may it…read morecontinue.

Arranged for quotation and when they didn't turn up, I called them and asked where they were. They…read moredidn't have my address. Fair enough. However, rather than call me to let me know, they decided to lie and say they had e-mailed me and called me and left voicemail messages. Unlikely. Didn't have a single e-mail, missed call, or message from them. When I mentioned this, Terry Naylor was very rude to me on the phone and hung up.