Another recommendation that I would never have known about otherwise so I feel duty bound to tell…read moreyou about Heel Stop. Living in the Jewellery Quarter and wearing spiky heels do not mix! But Heel Stop repairs this type of shoes starting at £4.95 for just heels. They have just repaired one of my favourite pairs of extra comfortable (but still high) shoes; high wedges that have a rubber soul which they managed to completely rejuvenate for £14.95. My boyfriend takes all his boots their too. We both walk everywhere so there is a lot of wear and tear. On top of their fantastic prices, all the gents behind the bar always greet you like they value your business and have real pride in their work. Oh they cut keys and sell numerous related goods too. Tucked away in the indoor market, where all the food stalls are is this great value shoe repairer. In fact the only downside is the food - I'm not a big meat eater so those stalls put me off slightly but if you're on the hunt for other great value traders, this is the place to head to.

This is a great little collection of shops that have uniquely remained together, even after moving…read morefrom The Swan in Yardley to Acocks Green. Entering the store you are greeted on your left by a jewellers, and on your right by a shoe repair service; And at the back of the store lies a clothes alteration department. If you are a new customer, from my perspective, you're not sure exactly what to look at first, but I'm guessing that all three areas have built up their own regular shoppers, who know exactly what they are after. I love the independence of each, and the way they have survived by supporting each other. All three staff members are also very friendly, and the store feels warming, homely and old fashioned when compared to corporate businesses. The jewellers section also stocks a variation of unusual gifts too. From Betty Boop mugs and clocks collections (which are perfect for any enthusiast), to metal money boxes and watches. So it's a great place to buy presents for somebody. Or simply get your shoe repaired.

These guys are a great example of not giving in to the big, corporate bullies. When the Swan…read morecentre was sold to Tesco they effectively lost their small, independent businesses as they had nowhere to trade. Instead of accepting that they joined forces, found a nearby shop and trade as a collective. They had been at The Swan for nearly 20 years but wouldn't have been able to afford the rent on a property individually. The result is an extremely successful, wonderful and quirky arrangement that delivers three businesses for the price of one. There is a key cutter and cobbler, a jeweller and a haberdashery. The services they offer also include engraving and clothes alterations. All three businesses are friendly, helpful and normally cost very little. If you need one of these services and are looking for a bargain then this is the place for you.

If there's a job to be done around the house, then I'd rather someone else do it than do it myself…read more And I'm lucky(?) in that I follow in my mainland European roots by renting rather than owning my home, so it is usually up to someone else to arrange and carry out repairs. This shop is particularly handy for one thing. The owner must have close links with someone who works at a weather station. He always knows when it will snow and as soon as the blanket of white falls there will be plastic sledges on display. Its either that or he has loads of sledges in storage somewhere and just plonks them out front, but that's not a very mystical or magical explanation. So, when Argos have run out of human-propelled snow vehicles, and you are at a loose end, here is where to come.

If you ever need a light bulb, WD40, a handful of nails or a gazillion other DIY related items,…read morethen this place is king. I have never gone into this shop and been unable to find what I'm looking for. It is stacked from floor to ceiling with useful stuff. The staff are really knowledgable and helpful. The last time I went in I needed some clear grout for the kitchen. Had absolutely no idea where to find it, what it was or how to use it. When I turned up in the shop I also had my son in the pushchair. The guys behind the counter patienty explained what I would need, went to get it for me as I couldn't manoeuvre the pushchair round the narrow shelves and then showed me how to use it. Thy even fitted the grout ino the gun thingy for me. Now, that is hat I call service. The price is good, the service great and it's a bit like a DIY grotto, what more could you possibly want from a local shop.

Highly recommend birmingham locksmiths reliable honestly good value for moneyread more

Is it just me, or does it strike anyone else as being strange that shoe repairs and key cutting are…read morecrafts undertaken by the same person under the same roof? The only thing I can think that they have in common is that a sharp implement is needed to do each job. I've had keys cut at One Step Ahead before. I was astonished at the price, until I found out that its pretty common for a Yale type key to cost a fiver to be cut. Heavens. So, if you need a key cut and you are in the area, One Step Ahead is maybe one of a few key cutting shops to go to. And for shoe repairs? Maybe some revision and a bit more expereince on the part of the owner could turn some average jobs into glowing ones.

I've never had a pair of shoes repaired in my life. This is probably because I don't buy very…read moreexpensive shoes, and it's essentially cheaper and easier to buy a new pair once the ones I'm wearing begin to fall apart at the seems. I'm missing out, I think, as it's possibly one of the most dapper and gentlemanly things in the world to say, "Do you like my brogues? I've just had them re-heeled". Sadly, this is something I may never get to say. I have, however, had to get keys cut, and on more than one occasion I have used the services of One Step Ahead for this. There's not a lot you can ask about freshly cut keys other than a) do they work? and b) Did you have a heart-attack when the bloke told you how much. With regard to this store the answers are, a) Yes and b) only moderately. But, really, what are you going to do, break a window? It's cheaper than breaking a window, put it that way. I wonder how much he charges to re-heel brogues?

I don't like launderettes, I don't use them at all really but I had to one time because I didn't…read morehave the facilities of a washing machine for a whole week. I was so depressed at this point in time because I find going to launderettes irritating. So, I was forced to go and use this particular launderettes services and I was pleasantly surprised at how great the service was. I expected the machines to be dirty (I constantly had this imagination about what launderettes were like); but like I said this place really surprised me. Their facilities were clean and the staff were super helpful; I think they must have realised I was a little concerned. From my first initial experience with Wash World, I have now slightly changed my opinion about launderettes; not saying that I'll be using them all the time but this place is actually quite decent.

Now I rarely use launderettes, if at all. But I have a bizarre reason for going to this…read morelaunderette. At my friend's house (who is currently washing-machine-less) she did a great job of not letting me know that her olive oil had a leaky lid - so as I eagerly looked forward to some French bread and olive oil, rather suddenly I found myself covered in oil. Acting swiftly I to had abandon this simple pleasure in search of somewhere that I could wash my outfit to avoid risking it marinating in olive oil for an evening and becoming totally irreparable. Wash World provided this place and I entered, after receiving a few scowls from the locals, donning a pair of old gym shorts, a vest and left my clothes to run through while I returned to finally enjoy my French bread and olive oil. I arrived back, a thorough cycle was complete and although my clothes weren't entirely repaired Wash World was there in my time of need. I proceeded to enjoy my evening in the knowledge that my clothes weren't scarred for life, and for that I think they deserve 5 stars.