We've got a similar place. Loads in there, all wrapped in newspaper when you buy.
Last time I was in there the guy said they started trading in 1946.

We've got a similar place. Loads in there, all wrapped in newspaper when you buy.
Last time I was in there the guy said they started trading in 1946.

Your not talking about Darkins are you, they still weigh out screws and put them in a paper bag.

Your not talking about Darkins are you, they still weigh out screws and put them in a paper bag.

No it isn't them, but it sounds very similar. That these places are still exist shows there's still a demand.

The key thing is to support these places. We have one too. Its an Aladdins cave of useful things. With my frequent water pipe issues, its reassuring to know that I can pop in and they will literally be able to make anything join anything with their collection of Plasson connectors. I do try to use them as often as i possibly can even though they cost a little more for run of the mill stuff.

I completely agree, and that’s what I do. Always my first port of call.

The sheer variety is what amazes me. Need plumbing fittings, got them. Glue, screws, work boots, gloves, electrical, oh and if you need a huge piella pan to cook for the entire village, they have them over a metre in diameter, with or without a propane burner to suit.

Total gold mine.

My steel supplier is also an ironmongers, there’s not much they don’t stock. You go to the counter (or steel warehouse), get what you need and they write out a chit to take to the cash office on the way out.

we have lost so many of these places. Screwfix, Toolstation B&Q put paid to them. I would really like to work in a place like that.

Our local one shut a few weeks a go. It used to be cheaper than the likes of B&Q. I used it when I could
It was up for sale as a going concern for about 5 years before closing.

Most people I know just order stuff from Amazon

There used to be a shop in Longtown, Grahams. Been over twenty five years since I was in there. He had everything you wanted and more.

We used to have a "four candles" style engineers' supplier, Sedgwick & Beaven. Sadly it closed about 30 years ago. The brothers had had enough ( they were only in their early 50s).
There was a rival a few doors along, never as good in my opinion, which is still there.
A friend and myself did manage to buy a full cycle thread tap & die set for £22 in 1971. It was either LAL or Dormer. They're still going and have trays of all sorts of odds and ends, screws, etc., etc., etc.

Go to any town in South America and everybody knows where La Ferreteria is. The best bit, if you are going to put some tiles down, fix a wall or fix anything there is a high probability that one of the guys hanging about out front will come with you and do it for you, usually for modest pay. Unless you are a Gringo* then all bets are off.

*land and horse thief

I'm also quite lucky here in Crete....
most seem to repair stuff instead of replace...so plenty of odd's n ends....
Language is a prob but a sample or a photo will usually get results....
One of the best bits u can buy solid brass studding by the meter from 5mm upto 24.....same in stainless...always stocked...
I keep a running list of wants.....Mrs goes more often than me and they never take the xiss out of her....
mnother plus they ae happy to order stuff.....just pay when u collect....
They get a restuffed (prop filled) tin of quality Street every xmas....
When my mates visit we go for a look around and get a giros on the way home....a good day out for me...

Had one here, the old guy that ran it packed up not long ago.

It was great for the odd bits I needed. Provided it was between the hours of 9-1 and 2-5 Monday - Friday. Not exactly convenient if you weren't trade.

Last two decent shops in our town closed decades ago.

Plowright, Pratt & Harbage the ironmongers.

Walker & Anderson the hardware shop - they sold everything from saucepans to door hinges...

My Dad used to send me to buy linseed oil putty for glazing on my push bike and they weighed it out on scales...

My Dad used to send me to buy linseed oil putty for glazing on my push bike

WOW! You had windows on your push bike?