I recently decided to buy some proper running trainers and visited Alpha Sports for the first time…read more They are a small independents sports shop that sell a range of items such as trainers, swimming costumes, rugby equipment and much more. I am not an athlete or fitness guru, however the customer service was friendly and professional. The staff at Alpha Sports are very knowledgeable about biomechanics which I learnt was important when purchasing running trainers. I got to stand on a special heat sensitive board which helped select the correct type of trainers for my needs by considering my posture and how the weight was distributed by my feet. I then got to try on differing makes until I found the right pair for me. Alpha Sports also offer gait analysis for more serious runners. I would definitely recommend Alpha Sports if you want to find a pair of trainers that are tailored to your needs. The staff have a lot of knowledge and are happy to answer your questions plus give you the time you need to find your best pair of trainers so you don't feel rushed.

On entering this bright shop, I spy an oversized promotional tennis racket on the wall and make the…read morejoke about the giant that I imagine the sales person has heard a hundred times before. On the contrary, it turns out that she's delightfully charmed by my quip. Particularly big on sales of tennis kit, accessories and tennis wear, many other sports are catered for including swimming, running and darts. They have some kids swimming toys in stock. The ones in the shape of stick-like seals wearing swim goggles that parents or swimming teachers throw in for kids to retrieve from the bottom of the pool. At £11.99, I'll have them, as they are £15 at the pool I go to. At these prices, I'll be back in soon to score some darts too.

I like Maurice Robinson Sports, mainly because of the name. It harks back to a bygone age when…read morefootballers hung up their boots and either ran a pub or opened a sports shop. For many years, as a kid, I was taken by my Granddad to the now defunct Harry Parkes shop in central Brum. Harry played for Aston Villa in the 1940s and 50s, and my old Granddad was a fan, so that's where we went for my boots. Similarly, in the 1980s, George Graham had a sports shop in Cockfosters, North London. By the time I went there to attend University in the early 1990s, Graham was managing Arsenal but the shop remained. I'm not sure if Maurice ever played professional sport, but given that this is a very old school sports shop reminiscent of times gone by, I rather hope that he did. See, this isn't your stack-em-high-sell-em-cheap sports emporium typified by JJB and the like, this is a small shop that carries only one or two of each item, yet still manages to cater for pretty much any sport you can mention. We've bought swimming stuff for our sun, tennis balls, and, most recently, a gum shield for my wife, who has recently taken up the terrifying sport of Roller Derby. On each occasion we've been in the staff have been friendly and helpful and, should you not find what you're looking for, are happy to order it in.

Puma, Nike, Umbro as well as Lacoste are some of the brands of clothing you will find at Sports…read moreBox. There are plenty of jeans on show that's for sure. You will not find any football shirts at Sports Box which will disappoint football fans. In fact there are no sports teams shirts in the shop. No doubt this will have an impact on whether customers visit Sports Box or not. There are plenty of clothes on offer at Sports Box for children ranging from jackets to t-shirts to coats etc. I'm not sure adults would want to buy sporting wear from Sports Box and to be frank I would not blame them for going elsewhere. Don't get me wrong the staff do make you feel welcomed and will help you if you need their assistance but I would say Sports Box is aimed at more children and teenagers rather than adults.

Nike factory outlet.. The have great stuff here its all Nike branded and it very very reasonable…read moreprices. Its not the latest designs or styles but its like last season or ex stock they can't sell. Mens Trainers average in from £20-40 a pair depending on discount amount. Good if u wanna by a few pairs in one go. Good for gym clothing men's shorts £5-10 tops £10-20. Stock is limited so go grab yourself a bargain. Parking outside costs £1.60 for two hours and cheaper for 30 minutes.

The Birmingham City Club Shop has undergone refurbishment in recent years and I have to say the new…read morestore is not that bad. It's not the biggest of Club Shops but you will still find your official home and away shirts, training shirts, beanies etc. All the Blues shirts come in all different sizes and are at decent prices. As the season soldiers on you will tend to find that the official shirts will get cheaper in terms of price. This is a great place to buy Blues merchandise from if you know of someone who supports Birmingham City. I have been here and brought some merchandise for one of my mates who is a massive Blues fan. The majority of staff who work here are Birmingham fans and they get across their knowledge of the Blues very well. They do like to chat with customers about the team and I have had many conversations with them about City. Try not to talk to them about the Villa. That's all I will say.

Rather like Maurice Robinson in Kings Heath, this is a Sports Store from a bygone era. In the days…read morebefore retail parks, online shopping and massive emporiums like JJB Sports and the like, this is the sort of shop where you would have come to get anything sport related, whether your chosen game was cricket, football, swimming, running, tennis, or anything else for that matter. Dr Sports stocks a little bit of everything, so given the size of the place the stock of each sporting item is limited compared to what you might find in a larger outlet, but what they do have on offer here is reasonably competitive in terms price. As usual with a shop such as this, they will attempt to order in anything that they don't have in stock.

This is a standard sports shop. I came in here to see if they sold sports bras and unfortunately…read morefor me, they did not. However, whilst I was in there I had a browse around and they do sell a variety of other clothes, such as sports vests, shorts and trainers. They also have a variety of sports equipment, such as tennis rackets and footballs. I did find it quite uncomfortable in there as the man at the counter just stared at me as I walked around the store, which is not ideal when you're looking for a bra. There was also no one else in there when I was there, which is a shame as I think it may be the only one on Harborne High Street, although it may not have been a busy day for the store! The prices are not too bad and the sportswear consists of a variety of brands. I would go in again if I needed some more sportswear, but not just for a browse.

It isn't every day you come across an independent sports shop, but this little number seems to be…read moreincredibly popular with locals and that's most probably due its extensive stock of big name products and very reasonable prices. The store feels cluttered inside, with cramped aisles and masses of tracksuits, tennis rackets and footballs all over the place, but the staff here are very pleasant and some of the prices are incredible when compared with your average JD Sports. If you're a hockey, tennis or badminton fanatic, you'll be in your element, because Sportsco's range of specialist products for is particularly impressive.

I'm always on the lookout for a good deal and when i found sportsco i was delighted with the…read moremassive discounts on their range of squash equipment. The Head Microgel 145 squash racket is currently at a 45% discount, which is better than the already awesome discount of 40% when i bought it a month ago. I would certainly recommend this company to anyone looking to buy sports equipment for good prices!

This is a shop I'm sure thousands of Aston Villa fans go to before and after games. It is a lot…read moremore quieter when Villa are not at home or there is not a fixture taking place on the same day. I have been here on a couple of occasions and I remember this place well because I was interviewed by one the Midlands Today Sports Reporters about my views on the new Villa manager. From the official home and away kit to retro shirts to beanies to night gowns you name it; the Villa Store has the lot. It is a pretty big store I have to say and there is so much merchandise on offer here. This is a great place to come and buy gifts for any Aston Villa fan out there. There is something for every age whether that would be a young infant to a veteran Villa fan. You can also get your names and numbers printed on your Villa shirts here.

If you're an avid Villa Fan this store will cater for your every need if you want lots of Aston…read moreVilla merchandise in your life. From curtains to bedding to the official kits you will not fail to find a way of introducing some 'claret and blue' into your life. I used to go a lot when I had a season ticket, I would ogle at all of the pieces of kit that I didn't already have so that I could hone my imitation of my favourite players when having a kick-about in the park. However there are many other places where you can buy a Villa kit for a cheaper price, everything is full price here, so I often searched elsewhere to find my strip. But you won't find an abundance of Villa stuff elsewhere, so if you want something obscure like a toothbrush or a toilet seat, then if they have it anywhere, it will be here. I might buy more stuff if Villa they weren't so atrociously bad, but I'm past my naive 'Villain til' I die' devotion - I think I prefer supporting Barcelona

Bailey has just got into cricket in a big way and he's wanting a bat. Boundary Sports is the bet…read moreplace to go, his friends have told him as this shop specialises in cricket equipment. (They also deal in hockey, netball, football and rugby equipment and kit). It doesn't take the owner long to come over to assist. He's accommodating and gives Bailey the low-down on the many bats that are in stock. He is also measure so that he bat is the right size for his body. Bailey has made a decision and picks a Blade grade 1 Willow bat. 'Young man', the owner delivers in fatherly tones, 'You aren't buying a bat from here before trying it out. He then takes the boy to a large area at the rear of the shop, and bowls Bailey some balls! The bat is £110 but we have £75 to spend. 'Let's call it £85' says the owner, 'And I'll knock it in for you. He does and adds a net into the bargain too. This is simply the best customer service ever.

Boundary Sports is a strange place. Not strange because the shop itself is odd, but strange because…read moreof it's location. Station Road is a residential street just off the Kings Heath High Street, the terraced houses are tightly packed and the street is ALWAYS full of cars. So, halfway down, as you're waiting for the oncoming traffic to negotiate the poor parking of others, you spot a really good Sports shop. I'm sure that years ago, before the High Street really took hold, that these side streets were littered with small shops such as this, so I'm glad Boundary is keeping that going. The staff are friendly and will help you get whatever it is you need. As they only have a small amount of stuff on display you may need to order if you want something specific. That wait, however, is better than schlepping into the city centre and fighting your way around JJB Sports.