This electronics megastore is absolutely hilarious to visit when you're a distinctly arty-looking,…read morenon-technologically savvy female. When I visited as a student - buying something really dull like extension cables and something to do with a modem - I felt like the only bit of colour in an otherwise white, grey and black world. I flounced in and had no idea where to go and what to ask for, and felt immediately ridiculous! I asked the nearest assistant for help, and felt that he, too, probably thought I was ridiculous! They are very, very helpful in here, and luckily very patient when faced with absurd people like me who think it's somehow kooky and endearingly old-fashioned not to have a clue about extension leads! All I know is that I have always managed to get what I need in here, even if I don't entirely understand exactly what I'm buying.

At the bottom of Gloucester road, just before the arches, maplins is an electronics retailer with…read morehighly competitive prices. They've got a good range of item categories, with things like car accessories, networking, lighting, sound etc. It's a perfect shop to pick up those annoying extra parts you need for so many electrical things - connection adapters, for example. They've constantly got some kind of deal on the go, which is widely advertised on their large front window looking out onto the road. The staff, who do seem to be new everytime I go in there, are nonetheless very helpful, and always have good knowledge of technology to help you out. Its only let down is the slight feeling they're a jack of all trades and a master of none - their sound section, for example, houses only the most basic kind of microphones and P.As. If you're after quality then you might be better going to a specialist shop for the product required. All in all, though, Maplins is a pretty useful shop to have in this good position on Gloucester Road.

Bob's Best Electrical is the kind of shop that makes Gloucester Road really special. I'm not sure…read moreif it is still the case, but when I first moved to Bristol five years ago I heard that Gloucester Road was the longest street of independent businesses in Europe. These days, this long and winding road is occasionally punctuated by small supermarket outlets that could very well have robbed the road of it's unique status. This would be a dismal shame, not least because the local population ardently supports the independent businesses that still form the vast majority on this 3 mile stretch. Bob's Best Electrical is living testament to this fact. It's one of those quirky businesses that stocks an eccentric array of goods with an owner that is deeply knowledgeable, and a character to boot. I have only ever bought light bulbs at Bob's, but have been known to make up excuses to go in, just for the experience. I love that 'stepping back in time' feeling I get when I walk through the door. You get the sense that even the foundations are made out of odd looking spare parts for antiquated machines and gadgetry Bob's Best sell a range of reconditioned second hand cookers and other electrical appliances, as well as servicing your faulty ones. I called by today to see if they had a replacement belt for the spinner in my Hotpoint twin tub, but I got snarled in traffic and arrived too late. (This is one of the problems with Gloucester Road. Being one of the few arterial routes into the city centre it is often heavily congested, so it's always best to leave in plenty of time to get where you're going. Parking is another issue, although around this stretch of road it's often not too bad). It's a little infuriating that I didn't get what I needed, (I have a months worth of washing at home, and there's a strong chance that I'm going to have to resort to some pretty unpopular measures if I'm going to avoid revealing too much skin in the immediate future. Go Fabrese!) They also sell an interesting selection of new goods including toasters, irons, kettles and telephones. I've heard tell that some of the supermarket outlets are run at a loss on Gloucester Road. I find it hard to believe, but a big part of me hopes that it's true. It would be a tremendously sad day if Bob's Best Electrical were to close down.

My brother, the computer geek scientist (love you bro!), has an affinity with this store. Not I…read more No, that's a downright lie. I love it too. Perhaps I'm a little bit more tech-savvy than your average female arts student (oh, I really need to get out of the habit of saying that I'm a student, seeing as I graduated two years ago). EDIT: Perhaps I'm a little bit more tech-savvy than your average yelper, but I find that conversations about computers with the staff in Maplins are extremely interesting, easy and informative. Unlike store such as Comet, PC World and Currys, these guys know what they're on about, aren't desperately trying to sell you warranties and software, and explain things in a very clear and professional manner. Having had a problem with my laptop I went in to ask for advice and they spent 30 minutes helping me with no cost, and in the end I didn't have to buy anything to sort out the problem, yet all the while I felt like a valued customer. Well done Maplins. Excellent service.

I want to sing songs about Maplins. I want to dance and shake it to the songs I sing about Maplins…read more I want to write sonnets about the place. Craft solid marble statues in its honour and then shoot any pigeon that dares lay a feather on its resplendent beauty. Maplins should be where every good tech nerd goes to die, wrapped in bandages made from wires cut to different, but equally necessary lengths. Their headstones should be made from melted and re-formed solder and their epitaphs should be nothing more than the voltage that finally took their lives and carried them to geek-Valhalla. And if Maplins is such a religious experience, this store is the Mecca. A massive store filled with all the seemingly arbitrary-but-actually-completely-necessary bits and bobs that keep the turbines spinning and keeps the voltage flowing. The staff are eternally helpful, to old pros and beginners alike and the prices are exceptionally reasonable given the monopoly Maplins seems to hold on this market.

Clifton Electrical seem a little out of place on Clifton Street these days, and if it weren't for…read morethe fact that there is a large carpet and furniture warehouse-style shop at the other end of the street, they would be the only vendor of items for the home in the area. (That is if we don't count the newly opened second hand store that has the occasional white good and a small selection of electrical items, that now occupies the shop unit that used to be a hardware store). I'm unsure how badly affected Clifton Electrical's is by the new one way system that the council implemented about a year ago on Clifton Street, but I'm sure that trade will be down. Luckily Clifton Electrical are not entirely reliant on their retail sales as they are also a wholesaler of electrical goods.

Bell Communications is an average sized shop on Cheltenham Road that sells mainly communication…read moredevices such as phones, fax machines etc. They also offer maintainance services which is handy especially if you own a business. It is a family run business which has been running for over 25 years so they really know their stuff. Prices aren't too bad, but I would say that you could probably find the same products for much cheaper on the internet. Check out their website.

Slowly surrounding Bristol, Avonvale electrics can be found at 3 different points of a triangle…read moresurrounding Bristol: Ashton, Henleaze, and this one in Fishponds. I like to imagine they are formulating a gradual plan to surround the city for ultimate electronical domination! They offer numerous different technological devices from all manner of manufacturers. Repairs is also a key function, and you can get yoursel a quote quite easily from any of the 3 stores or from ringing the number supplied online. I hope they can keep going on the compete with the larger companies in Bristol, mainly because they always seem so friendly whenever I head into the store!

This branch is no longer open. Please ignore reviews stating…read morewe are electronics re-sellers or repairers.

When I win the lottery, this place is number three on the visit list (after going to quit my job…read moreand the Ferrari dealership). They've got Hi-Fis to make your eyes water here. Gorgeous sound quality from even some of the cheaper stuff on offer will put you in a bad mood and go home to your I Pod speakers. It's not just about audio here, although that's definitely what they do best. The TV selection is excellent. They're really good at helping to buy you the right thing. I don't know my LCD from my plasma. They were able to explain, without talking down to me, the benefits of each in a way that made sense. Something every shop selling expensive goods needs to be able to do, but a lot can't. Somewhere that deserves having several hundred quid spent at, Richer Sounds offer a better alternative to the big chain warehouses that sell electronics.

Busta Rhymes is an artist whose name I took a long time to realise what it meant. As slowly as…read more'bust a rhyme' crept in I also realised that perhaps this place wasn't run by someone called Rich but that the sounds are actually richer. A long standing flagship on Whiteladies rd this is Richer Sounds and this is where the knowledge lies. Many years in the game the more than competent staff know pretty much all there is to know about speakers, amps, sound and all the rest of it. Check online if you want before you come here but they're always full of high-end hardware and absurdly low prices. They'll put you together a terrific bundle and they even have a fully sound proofed demo room to try before you buy. Two thumbs up to Richer Sounds I say.

The name is not deceiving. It is a small shop of electrical supplies owned by a Mr. Denman. There…read moreis a mountain of light bulbs at the front of the shop, light bulbs of every kind, colour, shape and size. They do not sell a great range of electrical goods but for the basics it is certainly a cheap shop where you are guaranteed to get the essentials of the electrical world. The men are cheerful and always happy to advise you.

Having worked in a trade counter myself, i would like to consider myself a bit of a connoisseur…read more This place is ship shape, organised, well priced, well staffed and well stocked. I had to come in and get myself a light switch, and it was about a quid cheaper than the Cotham hardware store, and if that is not enough to get you in here then nothing is!