Cut Price Discount Stores is an unpresuming Aladdin's Cave of bargains! This independently run…read morestore is situated directly opposite Aldi Supermarket on Bristol Road, Northfield Town Centre. The inside of the shop is nothing fancy time looks as though it has stood still here for a long time. However, the shop is packed with nearly every conceivable household item you could imagine (excluding furniture and appliances). If you are familiar with Latif and Sons in Birmingham City Centre, think of this shop of a condensed version of the same type of store. Another way of describing it is as 'Northfield's General Store' - everything from kitchenware, cleaning products, garden, diy, computer and automotive accessories are in stock at very reasonable prices. I managed to buy a bunch of last minute Christmas presents here this last year and I had never thought a shop on Northfield could offer such choice, quality and value. The couple who run the shop are lovely too; very friendly. Also, If there is something you are after and they don't stock it, they are happy to source it for you. Often I have bought items from larger stores and supermarkets only to find the same products sold here at a cheaper price. I now usually pop in and check here first if I am after something in particular before shopping around It saves the disappointment! Definitely recommended, especially if you are setting up home and need a local, independent shop to buy the basics!

A family run business which opened in 2007, this is a posh hat shop based on Islington Row…read more I used to live in the flats above this shop and was always a bit curious about it but never dared to go in - some people can wear hats and sadly I'm not one of them. However I was recently invited to a wedding and now that fascinators are 'de rigour' thought this was perhaps my chance to have a mooch. The fact they had a 20% off sign in the window was all the extra encouragement I needed. I have to say they have some really lovely stuff - I was particularly taken with a black and white polka dot number but sadly - even with the discount this was way out of my price range. Staff seemed nice and the stock seemed well made. Intrigued I also had a quick look on their website when I got home - more lovely things awaited including some rather fab gents hats (trilby's mostly) and a 'made to order' range.

Love accessories? If you answer was yes then you will enjoy yourself here. It's obvious that the…read moreshop is aimed at young girls and ladies from their products to brand image. I'm not a girly girl but have to admit they do have some lovely items here and it seems as if they have a bit of something for everyone (females that is.) I saw some beautiful casual earrings and some nice accessories to wear on a night out. It was good to find an independent accessory shop where the range stretches from wedding style hats to toe rings. Some of the prices were a bit too expensive but others were great value for money. The bigger the accessory the more you pay, which seemed fair. I was pleased with the service as the Sales Assistant seemed to have a genuine interest in me and why I was shopping there. We had a good laugh, which broke the ice and I found out they'd been in business for several years; so they must be doing the right thing!

Glitz Accezzoriez in Solihull is an Aladdin's cave of all things girly, sparkly and decorative. It…read morehas an extensive range of ladies purses, handbags, scarves and jewellery including some designer lines such as Radley. This is a lovely shop with very welcoming and friendly staff.

RH Autoparts - run by Ron Hall and his family - have been a part of the Weoley Castle Square…read morecommunity for as long as I've lived in the area. Autoparts is an independent car parts shop with keen prices and a wide range of stock. They also have an eBay store with a ton of harder to find parts that you're able to access too. What sets it apart from any major chain store nearby is the friendly service from staff. If you're a petrol head who knows what he's doing - they can talk your language. But I'd you're a car dunce (as I am) then Shane, Kevin and the team don't think twice about offering you guidance and helping you fit standard parts such as windscreen wipers and hub caps. Great service! There is free parking outside the store and plenty of free Street parking around the Square too.

RH Autoparts is a small independent auto supplies store on the Weoley Castle Square. It's been…read morearound for a long time and that is no small feat considering the giant auto superstores that are around in nearby Selly Oak and Northfield. The staff all know their stuff and the small store is crammed with stock. If they don't have what you need they will do their best to get it for you as soon as possible. Definitely give them a try before you head to somewhere like Halfords, the prices are competitive and more importantly the staff are friendly and helpful, a rare thing in a car parts shop!

If you're looking for hair pieces, these guys have the largest range of colours I have come across…read moreso you're likely to find a match to your shade. It's virtually impossible to buy hair removal wax tubs from the High Street stores but I found it here for just £5! And they have a choice between lavender, aloe vera and pink wax. I also found that St Ives face scrub (which is the guru of my skincare regime!) is a lot cheaper here than elsewhere. They have a random selection of cheap cosmetics that tend to be in retro shades - Pat Butcher from Eastenders comes to mind! Although some of their eye-shadows and nail varnishes are interesting because bright colours are trending. Oddly enough, towards the back of the shop there is a post office so you can get your postal needs as well as grooming products under one roof!

Raymondo Jewellery, run by Raymond and Wendy are part of the monthly crafts fair in the Great…read moreWestern arcade. They have a gorgeous array of handmade jewellery to entice you part with your money but with prices from just £3, it's hard to resist. Every colour is represented so you are sure to find something to go with every outfit. If you're into something more practical, they also offer stunning beaded square faced watches and new designs are coming along all the time. For a more classic look there are pearl bracelets and chokers and all manner of bracelets and ear-rings. Fantastic for a little cheer- up present for you or others and it won't break the bank.

I'll always have a browse in the window of Uncle's in Northfield as I am absolutely obsessed with…read moreearrings and have found some really unusual pieces in this pawnbrokers window. This is mainly second hand jewellery, but that's the beauty of this shop because there are items appearing in the window that you're not going to find in other jewellers shops. Of course it also means that you can only choose from whatever they happen to have in that week, but nine times out of ten I'll find something I like - although whether I can afford it or not is another matter. Uncle's obviously puts the most interesting items in the window and you can usually expect to see necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings in the window. All are hallmarked gold and prices are very reasonable in my opinion with hollow hoop earrings starting at around £15, with solid hoops costing around the £60 mark. Everything is displayed beautifully in the window and it always makes me want to go inside and have a look at what Uncle's has in the glass cabinets inside. To be honest it's always a bit of a disappointment inside as the really gorgeous stuff is usually in the window for everyone to see! Inside they'll have a few bangles, stud earrings, the plainer necklaces and things like that. All of it is cheaply priced because to be honest it's not the best quality and the designs are plainer than those you'll see in the window. Uncle's also offers a pawnbroking service, which is now he gets his gold in the first place. I've never used this service but have seen money changing hands when I've been inside browsing. It looks a simple enough process, I think you just have to take your gold in and fill a form in to get your money. You then have a few months to pay the loan back with interest added.