This small Post Office / convenience store is usually quiet with no queues, and being only a ten…read moreminute walk from my house is great when I want to drop off a parcel without waiting around. The lady who runs the Post Office is always friendly, deals with requests efficiently and with a smile, and is generally a pleasure to deal with. The Post Office also sells greetings cards, stationary and other bits and bobs. The convenience store had everything you might need in a pinch, and is usually well stocked. A throw back to the traditional days of a local friendly Post Office. What more do you need?

The University Medical Practise is a group practise of doctors on the Edgbaston side of the…read moreBirmingham University campus. As you have probably guessed by the name, it mainly caters for the students and staff of the nearby university, but also operates as a fully independent general practise of which anyone who lives within the area can join. As a service, I really can't find much to criticise about the practise. The staff are friendly and efficient, and I include the reception staff and the doctors in this. From the second you reach the drive and you look at the building in it's lush, green surroundings it's clear that this is a very nice doctor's surgery, and the pleasant atmosphere continues into the reception area. In fact, it's so nice that some more cynical observers may comment that this is an example of students receiving preferential treatment. If you're a student looking for a GP then this is the place to come.

There is a logical reason for this entry honest. When I worked at Harborne Library (and before that…read moreCentral Library) our most common enquiry didn't concern book stock or whether Birmingham really does have more canal miles than Venice - instead we were most likely to be asked where the nearest loo's were. In Central Library this was easy - second floor, by the glamorously titled 'fone zone' but in Harborne more problematic as our first floor toilet was often out of action and I didn't feel comfortable directing people to The Junction over the road (which wasn't a great pub at the time...it's very nice now). So, if you were wondering there are three public conveniences in Harborne: 1) The wrought iron urinal between The Junction and Harborne Market. Not being a gent I can't vouch for the condition of it - in fact I'm not sure it is still a functioning toilet, but it looks nice from the outside and is rumored to be listed 2) The male and female toilets at the side of the Open University and just opposite Sainsbury's. Words can't describe it really - no toilet paper, scratched and graffitied mirrors and lighting straight out of one of the 'Saw' films. Avoid at all costs. 3) The unisex, 50p a go lavs outside Iceland. These are okay inside - usually have loo roll and even a vaguely flattering mirror. Failing that you could always head to The Plough, buy a cup of tea and make use of their facilities - the toilets there are lovely.

I think the available public loos in Harborne may changed since you worked at the library, I don't…read morerecognize the ones you mention. The only "official" public loos I'm aware of are in the Coop (petrol station) further up the High St past the library away from the city, in the M&S and one of those unreliable 10p city council pods loos outside Iceland. Other than that (esp. after the shops close), pubs are your only bet (as is the case in most of Birmingham at any time of day outside shopping areas, and the city centre after the shops close). In the Green Man they're right by the front door. I much prefer the system in German where you could just put 50c down on the counter of virtually any pub or restaurant and use their facilities without having to either sneak, or embarrassingly ask and risk refusal.

The Citizens Advice Bureau plays an importnat part in helping people get vital information about…read moretheir rights, and it is a shame that they are not getting as much funding and resourcing as they have done in the past. This office is a good place to get honest and free advice face to face with an experienced advisor. The website is good too but sometimes it is better to talk an issue through with someone who has been trained to lend a listening ear, and point you in the right direction. The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice from over 3,200 locations, and by influencing policymakers. Citizens Advice and each Citizens Advice Bureau are registered charities reliant on over 20,000 volunteers and need to raise funds to provide these vital services. The majority of our advisers are trained volunteers, helping people to resolve over 5.5 million problems every year. All Citizens Advice Bureaux in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are members of Citizens Advice, the national charity which sets standards for advice and equal opportunities and supports bureaux with an information system, training and other services. Citizens Advice also co-ordinates social policy, media, publicity and parliamentary work and maintains an information and advice website at http://www.adviceguide.org.uk which receives over 7.3 million visits a year.

Great for free legal advice, be prepared for crowds though. It's best to go early in the morning if…read moreyou want to get seen to quickly. The people working here are extremely friendly and will do their best to help you in any way they can.