I had it on good authority that this particular charity shop must have two donors with heftier…read morebejewelled purses than the rest of us plebs. My sleuth had deduced this from the fact that there were pieces in two pretty different dress sizes. As a result a few barely worn designer pieces had cropped up in amongst the rest of All Aboard's stock of women's clothing. So, I decided to check it out. Well, I saw one dress by Marina somebody - does that count? But nothing else - maybe I should befriend the volunteers and get the lowdown on when the new stuff is coming in ... On the skirt front there were some promising items. I haven't worn trousers in about three years bar my PJs and once as uniform to serve champagne at a racing meet. So, I'm always on the look out for skirts since even if I buy them from some high street store, they are always made to sit on the waist whereas I like 'em more low slung. In All Aboard there were a few that, say chop 6 inches off and hem them, would look pretty good actually. Other than this, your usual VHS collection and ornaments/ crockery. Spit spot.

If, like me, you are religious about your magazines then a good reliable newsagent is essential. I…read morebeam at the sight of a whole wall of magazines: Computer magazines, golf magazines, Gay and Lesbian magazines. Young girl's magazines with High School Musical stars grinning at you inanely. I don't buy any of these publications by the way but it is the promise they contain and their newness that impresses me. My specific weakness is of course, fashion glossies plus a music mag or film mag every now and again. Here, Percival's does itself proud. Most of the rest of the shop is divided between cards (I managed to get two Jewish New Year cards this week for £1.30 - beat that Tesco), gift bags and stationary. You may take these things for granted at the moment but trust me, you would be crying on someone's shoulder if Percival's suddenly disappeared. Despite recently changing hands, this remains a stalwart that would cause the levels of 'Post Office closure uproar around the country' if it were ever to alter.

I don't know what has happened to this place, it is still a brilliant card shop but its less good…read moreregarding stationery pens and stuff.It used to be great and have a shelf full of great range of pens but now its reduced in size and just sells boring Bic biros.There used to be Tiger pens, fountain pens, Stadtlers and tracing paper; now its just been really watered down.I still think its brilliant for cards and some magazines but it seems to sell more toys and kids novelties rather than stationery which I find quite sad.

A good not great charity shop just on the corner of Bury New Road; this is where you can find some…read morebargains but nothing life changing.. unless someone just gets there before me and I just need to be more sly?? I'd recommend having a quick look through their shoes plus some of their costume jewellery is cute (in the glass cabinet by the till). Why would you go to Topshop and pay for fakes when you can get the real thing that someone's grannie has donated? Back to the shoes- if you're willing to stand a little mark you can get some real gorgeous pairs. Lets face it, you'll wear them once and they'll be marked anyway.. The stock is always kept tidy and it feels brighter than most charity shops; they do normally have loads of VHS videos but I wonder if they don't finally take them down now we're in the midst of a "digital switchover"... There are two changing rooms which are ACTUAL rooms and not just a curtain in the corner.. although if that curtain is even the least bit open, people from the street would be able to see in. A bit disconcerting to say the least. One last note: the staff (well, volunteers) are pretty friendly except when they're about to shut..

Petersons have little 'Fresh is Best' signs on their flowers out on the pavement. And on the door,…read moreencouragement to get your 5 a day of Fruit and Veg. They have survived the onslaught of the supermarkets and that is a commendable thing these days. The retail space next door seems to be cursed: it has been a travel agents and various other things and right now it sells cheap clothing without a shop name. Petersons are still around because they encourage the village feeling despite their concrete surroundings and they have a proper selection of fresh fruit and veg. Simple as that.

Very handy newsagents which opens at 7.30 am on weekdays - just about the time I am walking past…read morewhen I am getting the bus to work these days. I wish their selection of magazines was better - they only have trashy regulars like heat and grazia, a few sports titles and top shelf material here. They sell groceries, sweets, chocolates and stationary. I must say too that when I went in to buy a stapler for an application form that I was taking to an interview, they were really helpful when it turned out they only sold wall staple guns. They let me try their staples in the empty one I had in my bag and then in the end use theirs. Very friendly.

Run by vinyl fanatics David and Andrew Shaw, Vox Pop Music is a great website specialising in rare…read moreand secondhand vinyl. The brothers originally ran a shop in the basement of Cafe Pop before moving to Love Saves The Day's coffee shop on Thomas St. When the coffee shop went bust however, they decided to make Vox Pop an online store that deejays and record collectors could access dust til dawn from anywhere in the world. Of course shopping online isn't as much fun as digging through crates but the duo's passion for vintage funk, soul, jazz, disco and soundtracks definitely shines through. Records are categorised into decades and style like 70s disco / Disco-not-disco / Exotica / Library music and every one is clearly labelled Mint / Excellent / V Good etc. There's 45s, 33s and albums, shipping is done by weight rather than volume and prices are reasonable. Right now, I've got my eye on a couple of Bobbie Gentry and Burrito Brothers singles. Must be in a lone star state of mind.... The brilliant Bobbie Gentry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZt5Q-u4crc

Haber's World is an amazing Kosher supermarket on King's Road in Sedgley Park. It keeps the area's…read moremany Jewish residents in stock with 'provisions' as it calls its groceries. Quick note before I begin - its closed on Saturdays obviously because this is the Jewish day of rest. But in the week, this is a fabulous alternative to Tesco et al. It has just been newly refurbished but I have always liked this retro looking building anyway, I remember when it used to be a really popular deli - back when I went to primary school on this road. Nowadays, people shop here for bagels, wine, whiskey, general household goods - and the prices are generally not too pricey as you might expect.

Nice people and the only place I have found that sells real peanut butter and not palm oil! Open…read more'til ten on Thursdays too. Check the closing times each Friday as they close a few hours before Shabbat. They also sell sushi!

All publicity is good publicity right?…read more Park Menswear was always absolutely dead when the menswear shop first opened in May this year; my mother scornfully questioned why anyone would open such a posh looking shop THERE. They have leather couches for spouses to sit on whilst shopping, and the facade is all glass and dark lettering. In August the female owner was held at knife point and had £1000 stolen from the till plus some of the merchandise. Since then it isn't exactly heaving but I stopped in here to see if I could find a birthday present for my grandad and there were quite a few customers. The clinetele here is kind of young dads who think that throwing money at the problem will make them hip. Good selection of jeans and the quality of these designer men's clothes did at least look good.