Ransoms what can I say? Twenty five years ago I discovered this little gem just off London Road and today it is still worth it's weight in gold.
I defy anyone to go into Ransoms and come out disappointed. The fella in there (I think he's called Dave) and his friendly staff - some of whom have been there for decades - know eveything there is to know about household goods, haberdashery and all those vital bits and bobs that, since Hanningtons and Vokins closed, you don't know where to buy.
Tardis-like, Ransoms is stuffed to the brim with useful things for the house, garden and garage. I know people who regularly spend a couple of hours in there rummaging, just for fun, in the sure knowledge that there's always something new and useful/useless yet intriguing to be found.
If Ransoms's doesn't stock what you want, Dave will either order it or tell you where you can find it.
I've included a short list as a taster. But this is just the tip of a truly massive iceberg:
Fuses, curtain rings, wastebaskets, bread boards, picture frames, skins, rolling machines, wire wool, flower vases, tea towels, knitting wool, handbags, gladd beads, sewing scissors and neat little gadgets for threading needles, fabric dye, ant killer, houseplant fertiliser, plant pots, toothbrushes, storage boxes, kettles, mugs and cutlery, screwdrivers, light fittings and bulbs, plastic flowers, nails, hooks, baskets, china cats, embroidery thread, make up, candles, hair scrunchies, buckets, peanuts for garden birds!
Tell you what, I'd give a lot for the chance to go upstairs and delve into the stockrooms up there. You can see in, tantalisingly, from the outside, stacked high with weird and wonderful goods. Perhaps if I shop in there for another quarter of a century, that'll qualify me for a good poke around?! read more