Sainsbury's Local at Brindleyplace is in a good location, it's opposite the tram stop and a short…read morewalk away from several hotels, including the Hilton Garden Inn, Novotel and Leonardo Royal, making it an ideal place to grab drinks and snacks to take back to your hotel. The overall look/feel of the store is similar to any Sainsbury's Local, it was easy to find what I was looking for. The shelves were reasonably well stocked, and a Costa Express coffee machine served hot drinks only. It was easy enough to get in and out of the store in a couple of minutes, using the Sainsbury's Smartshop app which allows you to scan items as you're walking around the store, and then you can pay via the app, scan the QR code in the exit area and head out. The prices are inflated because it is a convenience store, if you have more time you may want to head to the larger Morrisons in Edgbaston which is only a short ride away on the tram. The security guard at the front of the store came across as rude and felt like he was trying to intimidate customers and just made me feel uncomfortable when I was doing nothing wrong. 3* - Pretty typical Sainsbury's Local, very useful location for a convenience store is the highlight to write home about.

Just had a refit and well designed it is. Noticeably more stock and more automatic pay points. Much…read moreimproved.

Very similar to Select and Save over the road (and boy what a terrifying road it is - make sure you…read moreuse the crossing) in that it's a good place to pick up newspapers, cigs, snacks etc this has the added advantage of selling bus passes. It's worth pausing to take a look around you - the flats above are built in an art deco style and are really rather nice.

This is a standard convenience store and stocks all of the usual items that you would expect; some…read morefood, snacks, a few household items, newspapers, alcohol and tobacco. I have been in a couple of times when I have been in Harborne. The chap who works there or who owns it seems really friendly and chatty. Several times he has made small talk with me, which is nice as it makes me want to pop back in here. I have always found what I needed in here, which is usually just some chocolate and something like milk to take back home. The prices are fairly reasonable for a convenience store and I have been to more expensive stores in the area. Overall, I like this store because the service is great and it has been convenient for me.

The old motto of writing about what you know rings true here (and for the next few reviews) as…read moreHarborne Convenience is very much my local shop. Open from early morning until at least 10pm every night this isn't somewhere you'd travel miles to visit but if you live nearby it's a great place to purchase things like compost or barbeque briquettes. They are also notable for stocking a good range of real-ales, an extensive selection of doggie treats (which get the seal of approval from Dave the greyhound) and the man who runs it is a really nice chap who often compliments us on how well Dave is looking and very much lives by the adage 'the show must go on'. Not only does the shop stay open at Christmas and New Year but perhaps most memorably of all through a recent power cut where thanks to a torch-lit fetching service the people of Northfield Road were able to continue to make their essential purchases of booze, fags and Monster Munch.

Whilst I am in the habit of visiting Select and Save style shops I'm not really in the habit of…read morereviewing them - however I felt this one was worth a mention because it houses not one but THREE other businesses - the outside is deceptive as inside you'll find a surprisingly large shop. As well as all the usual things you'd expect from an off licence/convenience store - cheap drinks, newspapers, fags etc they are also home to a dry cleaning service, a laptop and mobile phone clinic and a well used post office. It's a bright and light affair and the staff are nice but (and perhaps this is because of where they're located) not terribly patient if you a) don't have enough money or b) faff around too much. The Post Office is a great find because they have a separate bureau du change service point as well as a passport photo booth.

Spar on Brindley Place is a decent-sized unit, the store is modern and much more attractive…read moreaesthetically than most other SPAR stores I have visited in the past, it also includes a coffee machine and counter from Philpotts. The location is good, it's quite central within the Brindley Place area of Birmingham and a short walk away from the Hilton Garden Inn. I did find the prices to be a little high, even for a convenience store, making it much more expensive than the Sainsbury's Local around the corner. The selection in the store seemed fine, they did have a selection of brands in most areas including milk - many SPAR stores just sell their own brand of milk, but this one sells Cravendale which is useful for me (although the price is very inflated). 3* - A modern convenience store in a useful location, normally open until 11 PM, although the prices are offputting.

If you are a fan of having to carry your ID everywhere and of the Sun newspaper then this is the…read moreperfect Spar for you.....let me explain! Now I like to think I am looking ok approaching 30 but I am under no illusion that I do not look 17 anymore....or 25 really but on occasions I have been refused service of alcohol here due to not having ID. I fully respect the laws surrounding alcohol and its consumption but surely you have to use your discretion at points.....this Spar does not seem to do so if you are going to buy a beer or bottle of wine on your way home......don't forget your passport or driving licence! The latter half of my opening statement is due to the fact that if you go into this Spar later in the evening you can get a free Sun newspaper. Totally not my thing but I mean sometimes I will take one......incase I need to clean the windows in the flat! I find that newspaper is the best way to get glass clean with a decent glass cleaner on! Kim and Aggie have taught me well! Other than that there is a basic selection of food and drinks here....everything you would expect for a local shop with the hidden surprise of a Subway at the back. Overall decent.

The store has a good and friendly service. Neighbours all know Kash as a friendly person including…read morefamily. He has been there over 30 years. Also sells good quality foods. Well done

Wine Trail is my local shop and has helped me through many forgotten mixer situations or to serve…read moreme that bottle of milk that you need but really can't be bothered to walk the extra distance to the supermarket. The shelves are hardly ever fully stocked so don't go in here expecting to get your monthly supplies but if you want something simple, alcoholic or confectionary based the guy in the wine trail is more than happy to help!

The Wine Trail is a small local newsagent and off license located near the NIA and built into the…read moreside of the Liberty Place apartment complex. Very handy for local residents who need breakfast milk, a newspaper or emergency essentials, the place is run by a very friendly family who are always happy to chat with you about local news and events. I've had a magazine subscription with them for a number of months and unlike a number of newsagents I've used, they haven't given away any of my copies yet! There is a small freezer section as well as a specials rack with a range of items reduced to a pound. For the most part, the prices aren't the best but at the end of the day you're paying for the convenience.

The student area of Selly Oak is a veritable hotbed of convenience stores, so Lifestyle Express,…read morelocated on the upper end of Bristol Road in the area, has its work cut out to distinguish itself from its numerous, extremely well priced competitors. It does this in a few ways. Firstly, their service goes above and beyond. I've been in a couple of dozen times and the service has never been anything less than fantastic, always friendly, and they can't ask if you need any help quickly enough it seems. The second way is by a great range of products, going much further than usual shops, selling cards (although admittedly this section is sometimes sparsely populated) and an above average selection of frozen goods (these are often mysteriously missing from small shops such as this). The best (in my humble opinion) is their low canned drinks prices, with some available from as little as 30p, a price you rarely see in this day and age.

It's not too often that you come across a business which is an off licence, newsagents and purveyor…read moreof foods all in one. However, that is precisely what is on offer at Eastside Stores in Digbeth. Baguettes, wraps and cobs hot or cold are available all day which means that on a busy lunch hour you can grab your paper and some handmade food in one foul swoop, which certainly beats traipsing to a big supermarket for a lacklustre meal deal. I'm happy to report that the baguettes here are more than adequate so you won't be heading back to the office with a rumbling belly and a disappointed look on your face. So if time is of the essence then Eastside Stores is definitely a place I suggest you pay a visit to.

Often I am caught unawares, on my way to my studio on Fazeley Street with no supplies... it will be…read morea long night recording without any booze or pot noodles. Thankfully, Eastside Stores is on my route. Situated at the far end of Digbeth High Street away from town, it's a typical convenience store that stocks all the usual stuff, magazines, papers, basic groceries, sweets, alcohol and even a few fresh sandwiches and snacks. It's reasonably priced but be warned that they don't take cards there and the nearest cash machine is back up the other end of the high street.