The Robert Dyas location on George Street has a bit less than the one on Western Road, but also has…read morea lot less shoppers swarming through it. I found it much easier to wander through the aisles here and appreciate the variety of home and garden items available. There's pretty much every kitchen appliance you could imagine: sandwich makers, mini hotdog grillers, cappacino machines and even the allusive filter coffee maker, crock pots, kettles, toasters and a cotton candy machine! Wowy. That one's even on offer. Kitchen stuff also includes dishware, utensils, and a few kitschy items like Sergeant Pepper and Corporal Salt. Homewear then moves into tools, paint and hardware as well as an aisle of household cleaners and a few electronics: telephones, keyboards, USB drives and a small selection of printers (like, two.) For gardeners, Robert Dyas has tools in a variety of styles, plus a huge display of seeds. The prices of everything are really reasonable, and I'll definitely be back to pick things up when I move off-campus.

I agree with Jessica that this is my prefered store for the same reason. I was surprised with the…read moreextent of the ranges and with the little extras they do. For christmas I bought my brother a western shooting, drinking game and we had great times with it. If you are unsure of a gift for somebody this place can be a treasure trove of ideas and answers as you might see something that sparks an idea of a present that you could get elsewhere.

Edwards and Hope is a simple alternative to some of the bigger electric retailers, offering a…read morevariety of electric goods for much cheaper than most of the big stores on the outskirts of town. Also, the service is much more personalised: advice can be asked from real electricians, not a student helper who will just pass you on to someone else. However, it doesn't have the stock or selection of the big stores, leaving Edwards and Hope a bit of an odd addition to the North Laine shopping community. Where most shops in the Laine are aiming for cool and/or chic, Edwards and Hope is delightfully old-fashioned. These are electrical retailers who aren't trying to sell you otter-shaped lamps, or something similarly bizarre enough to appeal to Brighton's cool-kids crowd: they're here to offer simple, basic advice on any electrical faults, problems, and sell fuses, plugs and the like. I'm not sure how they survive in an area like the North Laine, but they've clearly been around for some time, so they must be doing something right! What Edward's and Hope can offer over most other electrical appliance shops is the personalised service. These guys know what they're talking about, and can offer a lot of direct advice about any issue you may be having in your home. This is a great place to go to ask for help: they won't charge a fortune, and they are directly available: you won't have to talk to useless student advisors in big chain stores or wait in call queues to speak to an advisor again in this field. However, being a small shop, Edwards and Hope never seem to stock everything you're looking for. More often than not, customers seem to go in for advice, then go and buy the items in B&Q or Dixons. In the end, the best use this place has is for advice and the occasional purchase: they simply don't have the warehouse mentality that some of the bigger shops do.

There are some wonderful lights and various electrical devices for sale here at nominal prices. If…read moreyou're living locally, or even just on the bus route it is worth checking out. The store is not flashy, but that's not necessary here: it's practicality that matters. With really low prices, I think this place would suit the student market or those in short-stay rented accommodation. The products are cheap, but not inferior quality and some of the aforementioned lamps and lights are really nice designs too, so don't feel that because your budget is small you have to settle for poor craftsmanship.

If you are considering buying a washing machine from Brighton Domestic Appliances be aware that…read moretheir 'fitting' service could only be described as extremely basic at best. The washing machine I had fitted leaked immediately flooding my kitchen. Even though the installers advised me that the fitting job would not leak when I complained I was told 'even if our installers claimed it should be good for a while it is still not our responsibility to make good as we are not plumbers'

Currys PC World in Brighton on Western Road is a really small branch of the chain, considering it…read morequalifies to be one of their Superstores in all but size, as it also contains a Carphone Warehouse area, which is like the rest of the store - tiny! The selection of the store was so limited, it felt more like a PC World store, the stores were of course combined in 2015 - The selection is mainly of basic, cheaper laptops compared to more advanced gaming ones, there wasn't even a selection of large TVs and other household appliances one would expect to see in a store of its' kind. The staff and customers seemed to each do their own thing, I like that in a way but they just didn't seem approachable or willing to acknowledge the customer with even a smile or "hello" - disappointing. A really small store with a small variety of items, and the item they do stock being a small product range of that particular item, unwelcoming staff all add to the picture as I wonder "Is this a real Currys PC World?, only to look outside and the sign confirms it. 1*

Went in the shop at western road Brighton and brought a television for 340 and 20 minutes later got…read morea email saying my order is cancelled but no explanation as why and for some reason when I handed the money over the man put the cash on a gift card to purchase the Tele and now they say they are waiting for the money to go back on the gift card before they can pay me. Also went in the shop and Ben the manger said the money will be there when it's there and was extremely rude. Over 2 weeks and still not received my money.

I buy my household goods from Boundary Road appliances. I'll tell you why. If they break, I can…read moretake them back and they don't quibble. You don't get that service in the big souless chains. Currys and Argos may be cheaper but I will happily pay more for honest service and peace of mind. It is also great to support a local business.

Dean's Electronics is a local shop for local people, and one of the handful of surviving…read moreindependent businesses on St James' Street that sell practical goods rather than luxury items (think patisseries, delis, clothes, plants, furnishings...). Here's the place to go if you need an extension cable, a toaster, a wall clock and such like. There's a great stock with plenty of models of each item. The shop specialises in home electricals, incliding tv parts - though if you need anything computer related you wont find it here. And expect to pay a full whack £14.99 - £24.99 for a toaster - there're no smartprice options here! I asked the owner how he does for business when I went in there recently to buy a tv scart lead, and he sounded pretty positive, as I guess there's not too much competition this end of town. Nevertheless I imagine many people head to the city centre chains and the Asda hypermarket for many item... Anyway, enough waffling! Support Dean's Electronics because it's local and the owner is lovely - he even gave me money off my purchase cos it was near closing time and he'd had a nice day!

Deans is one of those amazing shops that will never, ever not have what you need. Well, providing…read morewhat you need is electrical, that is. The place is packed full of various household electrical goods, such as kettles, toasters and radios, as well as all kinds of cables, extension leads, lightbulbs and wires. If electricity runs through it, they sell it. Like many independent places, the quality of the service here is fabulous - I went in with an unusual shaped lightbulb which I had given up hope of being able to replace - they found it for me instantly.

A Great Appliance Shop, I like to spend my money in independant stores as opposed to the big B&Q's…read moreof the world. A nice shop, well run and polite staff.

Very nice small firm who come out to fix stuff like washing machines, arrive on time and do repairs…read morethat last for a reasonable price.

Prices are cheap, staff are nice but it's a nightmare getting change from notes if the owners arent…read morein. Even surrounding shops don't have change and it's midday. Ideally card machines would be better.

Excellent place to do laundry while traveling! Friendly and helpful staff. Extremely clean facility.read more

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.