This is one of the few places you can buy really nice material for curtains or making clothes -…read moregood selection of materials - always a lovely window display which accurately shows the wide range of their materials - very helpful staff

Instead of buying new clothes, pop along to this fabric shop and customise clothes you've already…read moregot. Bargain! The staff are very helpful and will give effective advice about repairing damaged garments. I also found that when I wanted to try and make something from a paper pattern, they were able to steer me towards a simple one that didn't require to much fabric.

Underwoods is an 'old fashioned' hardware store which is brimming full of everything from simple…read moretacks to outdoor heaters with covers. The sheer range of items is slightly mind boggling at first but the friendly and chatty staff are more than happy to help you find the item, give advice and give you great ideas. The outside of the shop is a carnival of household items which include, bins, brushes, flower pot men, hedgehog shoe cleaners, plants, heaters, forks, green houses, tools the list goes on The inside is stacked high with products and you are sure to leave with more that you came in for Underwoods has been there for many, many years and I hope it stays there for many years still as it a welcome change to Homebase and B&Q. If a DIY shop for you has always been the huge warehouses then you will find this a breath of fresh air.

A traditional and independant hardware and homeware shop. YOu can get knowledgable advice on all…read moremanner of DIY queries and can buy just a single nail or screw (ratehr than a whole packet). There is a garden centre as well as various home items including dustbins and napkins.

Pretty much everything for DIY…read more My interest this trip was mostly concentrated on the garden department, which offered a nice variety of seeds, bulbs, and young plants along with all you'd need to make your garden beautiful. Other departments include supplies for kitchen, plumbing, painting, floors, some tools, lighting, and a small number of wardrobes and furniture all the way in the back. Moderately helpful staff that you will have to track down if you have a question.

This is not quite as nice as Homebase, but normally slightly cheaper! Normally has most DIY stuff…read moreyou'd need. I waited an extrememly long time for my dulux paint to mixed there the other day, so I'd recommend Homebase for that, as you get money off if they keep you waiting. Good sized garden centre bit, but I'd normally go elsewhere for plants (Risby Farm shop or Wyvales)

Family run business situated next door to the Coop and opposite the Shell Garage, Darkins Supply…read moreStores is a must for all your DIY needs. Paint is mixed on the premises, keys cut - even the most obscure ones and screws and nails are still available to buy loose!! The staff are lovely and always helpful - if they can;t help they usually know someone or somewhere that can. Why drive a long way to a superstore when there is one on the doorstep!

This is a great store for true quality items at really good prices. Brands include, Kitchen Aid,…read moreDualit, Cuisenart, etc and prices are considerably lower than many other high street kitchen/ electrical stores. There is a great range available in store and any items that are not in stock will be ordered in swiftly. Staff are friendly and helpful and will willingly demonstrate items (I even had one make me some toast to try when I was debating getting a Dualit toaster!) All in all a great shop for buying and browsing !

Never had any problems with the professional staff and great sense of humour to boot!read more

A real rabbit warren of a place! This is diy heaven, with every basic tool, plus all sorts of…read morespecialist items such as metal work, wood lathes etc. They have experienced staff with good knowledge and lots of time to spare for you. They also have a garden centre and kitchen department too.

Fantastic hardware store which is much cheaper than a lot of the larger DIY chains for most items…read more Has a massive tools section and a fantastic cook shop too. Staff are very helpful.

Large hardware store tucked away in the back streets of Halstead…read more Sells all sorts of things to do with DIY. Good range of paints & wallpapers as well as general household goods. Car park which can be difficult to get in and out of ! Also sells garden equipment, wood and fencing. Well worth a visit rather than going to a big out of town DIY store