I recently decided to buy some proper running trainers and visited Alpha Sports for the first time…read more They are a small independents sports shop that sell a range of items such as trainers, swimming costumes, rugby equipment and much more. I am not an athlete or fitness guru, however the customer service was friendly and professional. The staff at Alpha Sports are very knowledgeable about biomechanics which I learnt was important when purchasing running trainers. I got to stand on a special heat sensitive board which helped select the correct type of trainers for my needs by considering my posture and how the weight was distributed by my feet. I then got to try on differing makes until I found the right pair for me. Alpha Sports also offer gait analysis for more serious runners. I would definitely recommend Alpha Sports if you want to find a pair of trainers that are tailored to your needs. The staff have a lot of knowledge and are happy to answer your questions plus give you the time you need to find your best pair of trainers so you don't feel rushed.

On entering this bright shop, I spy an oversized promotional tennis racket on the wall and make the…read morejoke about the giant that I imagine the sales person has heard a hundred times before. On the contrary, it turns out that she's delightfully charmed by my quip. Particularly big on sales of tennis kit, accessories and tennis wear, many other sports are catered for including swimming, running and darts. They have some kids swimming toys in stock. The ones in the shape of stick-like seals wearing swim goggles that parents or swimming teachers throw in for kids to retrieve from the bottom of the pool. At £11.99, I'll have them, as they are £15 at the pool I go to. At these prices, I'll be back in soon to score some darts too.

I like Maurice Robinson Sports, mainly because of the name. It harks back to a bygone age when…read morefootballers hung up their boots and either ran a pub or opened a sports shop. For many years, as a kid, I was taken by my Granddad to the now defunct Harry Parkes shop in central Brum. Harry played for Aston Villa in the 1940s and 50s, and my old Granddad was a fan, so that's where we went for my boots. Similarly, in the 1980s, George Graham had a sports shop in Cockfosters, North London. By the time I went there to attend University in the early 1990s, Graham was managing Arsenal but the shop remained. I'm not sure if Maurice ever played professional sport, but given that this is a very old school sports shop reminiscent of times gone by, I rather hope that he did. See, this isn't your stack-em-high-sell-em-cheap sports emporium typified by JJB and the like, this is a small shop that carries only one or two of each item, yet still manages to cater for pretty much any sport you can mention. We've bought swimming stuff for our sun, tennis balls, and, most recently, a gum shield for my wife, who has recently taken up the terrifying sport of Roller Derby. On each occasion we've been in the staff have been friendly and helpful and, should you not find what you're looking for, are happy to order it in.

Puma, Nike, Umbro as well as Lacoste are some of the brands of clothing you will find at Sports…read moreBox. There are plenty of jeans on show that's for sure. You will not find any football shirts at Sports Box which will disappoint football fans. In fact there are no sports teams shirts in the shop. No doubt this will have an impact on whether customers visit Sports Box or not. There are plenty of clothes on offer at Sports Box for children ranging from jackets to t-shirts to coats etc. I'm not sure adults would want to buy sporting wear from Sports Box and to be frank I would not blame them for going elsewhere. Don't get me wrong the staff do make you feel welcomed and will help you if you need their assistance but I would say Sports Box is aimed at more children and teenagers rather than adults.