Gilberts

I had occasion to pop into this wonderful shop today for a couple of things. It's delightfully old-fashioned but sadly will not be in business much longer. Jim Gilbert, who took over from his dad on his retirement is also due to retire soon and none of the family want to run the business, we understand.

It's only a small shop and is absolutely piled high with kitchenware and other hardware goods. If there are two customers in it is packed. You'll have to leave the pushchair outside, madam. Two aisles run either side of a central 'island' and what looks like a wall of goods at the rear is pierced by a small opening through which Jim serves. You might just see him in the interior shot in extras which shows the right hand aisle.

Jim always gives utmost attention to each an every customer - this sometimes is frustrating for the more modern shopper, shall we say. I have been in and heard the 'tut' and sigh of one or two who are too busy to wait and have to rush off towards their graves via Asda or some such instead. He usually has what you need and if it's not to hand he might be heard rustling and banging interminably in the upstairs storeroom before descending in triumph with the necessary.  He keeps spares, for instance, of crockery sets he no longer sells in case the customer returns a few years down the line  having broken a piece or two. He does have plastic carriers but you will more often have your purchase either in a brown paper bag or wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string. Opening hours 9 - 5, closed Sundays and Wednesdays.

It will be a sad day when the shop closes for the last time.