Tramway stables, cow sheds, motor bus proprietors, telephone call office, picturedrome, cinema,…read moreknitwear factory and DIY store- never has a building had such a varied history as the one that is now the Handyman's Supermarket. It's worth visiting if only to catch a whiff of sawdust, also known as the international smell representing things getting done, manfully. This is a store that looks at glossy bungler-havens like B&Q before shaking its head and smiling with a faint air of pity. The place is so comfortable in its mettle that it doesn't need to tidy up. Tools and bits of wood are strewn across the bare floorboards and you half expect the back corner to be occupied by a burly blacksmith belting a horse-shoe into shape. That's not to say it's arrogant. The staff here are superlatively helpful and will listen with eager patience as you waffle on about what angle of doorstop you need or what kind of hammer you require to wrench nails out of a botched picture frame. Then they shall find the item within arm's reach, making you feel like an utter cretin. Also, they cut keys.

Oh this is more like it. A real manly shop amidst the students and namby pamby bohemians of…read moreSmithdown. A place a man can get any hardware and, tool stuff he needs to, chop things and, drill stuff. I went in purely to have a look around for a review and see what is what. I have very little need to often shop in these places, even when working for tv drama art departments I tend to just have a bash at hammering something with anything heavy and blunt or just use gaffer tape - usually solves any problem. So I went in. Yep, screws, drills, hinges. Until I was asked 'need any help?' And obviously not wanting to look a complete pleb by giving the usual 'just looking' - because I am in a specialist, hardware shop and must have reason for being there - I ended up leaving with a tube of polyfilla and and a bag of nails. Damn this male pride.

Wow! This place really manages to pack in a TON of DIY and household stuff. You will be amazed by…read moreeverything they stock. If you live around here, you can save yourself a trip to Rapid and buy your hammer, saw, gloves, or garden stuff here. Definitely a great little DIY shop that provides all the basics and essentials for pretty darned good prices. They don't have *everything*, but they do have a lot.

I put the stars in before the review becausethis business so deserves them, I am sure you could…read morepurchase everything that you would need to build a house from here and if it's any reccomendation then just see how many tradesmen buy from here. The staff are knowledgeableand helpful with tips and information, if they haven't got it and can't get it they will attempt to find out where you need to go to find it. Although not 'Superstore' size the stock level are amazing and the personal service is first class. From a tack and beyond this is the 'DIY' shop with a difference.

This place is stuffed full of useful things and it's all cheaperty cheap cheap! If you don't have…read moreyour England flag yet (I am sure you will do, but well just in case) there are plenty on sale here. Outside dustbins (£8.99) - they have plenty of these as well, as compost bins. I found a really useful wash basket to put my washed clothes in as I hang them up on the line or take them down. Plastic seats and plastic steps - hmmm rather a lot of plastic, it's not good for the sea, as it will eventually get there, I don't doubt that. Most of this shop is probably my dad's dreamland - paint galore, brushes, gardening pots of every kind, pet accessories. Would you believe it - reading glasses as well!

The Chandlers discount store in Allerton sells a wide variety of household goods, especially basic…read moreDIY equipment and other bits and bobs (that's how I shall put it as I'm no DIY expert)! Oh, and they sell chocolates too! Anyhow, if you're looking to replace your broken brush or mop, then you're in luck here. Everything in this store sells well in terms of price but I'm not sure about quality as I've not actually bought anything from here. From what I have observed, they have a generous selection of garden related items; this is what hit me most when I first entered. I would consider this store as very handy indeed because it provides all the home and garden essentials and if you're a hobbyist of such trades, you'll enjoy what the store has available.

Rapid DIY is a department store with a difference - it's family run and owned which is nice to see…read morein the days of B&Q and Argos monopolising the market. It's located where John Lewis used to be, right underneath the Radio City tower, impossible to miss. They used to concentrate on selling DIY and hardware, however now they sell everything under one roof, from linen curtains to carpets to the traditional DIY. The store has been recently refurbished, and now has a cafe instore which even sells the traditional scouse! Everything is a reasonable price, considering it is an independent store and in my opinion is on track to compete with the big names in the business.

Rapid DIY is a brilliant all round department store serving several floors that once used to be the…read morehome of John Lewis. It has now expanded greatly and made the most of the former (and well recognised) George Henry Lee building. Rapid is now right in the heart of the city centre with many entrances you can't fail to walk past. The massive improvement is that the building is now fully refurbished to give customers an even better, brighter shopping experience all under one roof! It is still going to expand further in the not so distant future which is also great news. Additionally, there is a fantastic Signature Cafe in store serving hot and cold wholesome Liverpool favourites, including scouse (one of my favourites)! As a whole, Rapid is great value for money and has a huge range of quality goods. You won't be disappointed.

Grrr, forget your comestibles and vegetables, namby pamby soaps and food this is a supermarket for…read moremen...men who drink gasoline and eat nuts, ooh, err not nuts, balls, no, ahh! This is heavy duty hardware. Proper power tools for those who plan on tackiling real jobs and I don't just mean putting up shelves. There are things in here with motors, big motors. Looking at the gear in here, I imagined that Machine Mart catered for industry trade, and most of the things in here, generators, cement mixers and saws will certainly tackle professional jobs but most of the things are actually meant for domestic use! Lawnmowers with seats? This is Liverpool, hardly the home to stately lawns of Up State New York. Nonetheless if power tools are what you need, or just a typical bloke who wont grow up, then this is defo the place.

Machine Mart sells a huge range of high quality hardware products and is probably your best choice…read morefor power tools and DIY equipment. This is the shop for big boy's toys! In addition, they have an extensive online range of goods where you can order items and a free brochure if this is more convenient for you. Personally I would have to visit the shop as it provides more of a picture of what you wish to buy, plus friendly staff are always there to assist you if you need any help and suggestions. Their range of goods includes anything from concrete mixers to power generators all of which are heavy duty, so there is no fuss to be made about quality. Although prices vary and sometimes they can be expensive, there's more than likely not going to be any disappointment as it's one of those specialist stores which you can trust. There's nothing you can really argue about.

This shop was a godsend in my search for blue flowers for my dad's wedding, and I made some…read moreblinking gorgeous arrangements with the flowers I bought here. Not only that, they also have a multitude of stuff, such as: rugs, cushions, cosmetics, storage boxes, picture frames, giftware, crockery, candles, mirrors, wicker...the list goes on and on. Like the supercentre round the corner, it's all affordable stuff without compromising the quality. The ladies who work here are only too happy to help with any dilemma (such as blue flowers!) and have that sort of older-aunt air about them. There are some lovely kitsch things in at the moment for the house which I believe are becoming fashionable again, and a decent arrangement of teapots if that should tickle your fancy. Definitely worth popping in.

If you're looking for homeware to fill you cupboards and you're counting the pennies behind your…read morecouch but still want good looking stuff, then Home Warehouse may be a good place to have a look around! The first thing that caught my eye was the reduced rack in the doorway which had a great selection of plates, teapots and cups all in different colours..(for that mis-matched quirky mixed up look) from 50p so you can't say no really! They also have a large range of mirrors, cushions, bedding, incense holders, sticks (4 for £1) and candles for a fragrant home, and lots of fake flowers in bright colours, got to make it pretty haven't you!