I don't know about you, but the Candyman for me conjures up images of the horror film made in 1992…read more Not really appropriate for the type of shop that it is but hey ho. It does actually sell sweets, so it kind of makes sense. The shop itself is essentially a large newsagent which sells tobacco products, sweets, biscuits, juice, fizzy drinks, newspapers etc but it also sells quite a large amount of stationary products. Biros, pencils, note pads, envelopes and the like are all available at wallet friendly prices. Plus, they do sell some really random ornaments, just in case you are visiting your granny and you want to pick up something for her mantle piece and also good old discounted Christmas decorations if you are one of those people who can't refuse a discount when they see one and plan for Christmas extremely early.

This newsagents was mighty handy when I spent days in the library as a student. They are…read moreessentially a newsagents selling cigarettes, papers, sweets and drinks but they also sold things I might want in study-breaks like yoghurts, cottage cheese or a muffin. The little pot of yoghurts are so cheap and if you ask they will give you a spoon too! It gets busy around lunch time but that's to be expected in any of the shops opposite the Parkinson Building. There is a big sign in front of the newspapers proclaiming that the shop is not a library, which always amused me as the space to read them is so narrow anyone attempting this would be put off by all the other customers barging past - something I have witnessed. Its a good place to pick up phone credit if like me you still have a pay-as-you-go mobile for fear of commitment to a contract and the guys working in their are pretty friendly especially if you're a regular.

Cozy little tobacconist (sells pipe tobacco, too!) only a few blocks' stroll from Scarborough…read moreStation. Not too wide a selection of brands, but they definitely have a nice range of Montecristos and Romeo Y Julietas. They also have a nice selection of pipe & cigar accessories, so you'll find whatever you need to get your cigar & pipe started!

The Black Swan Shoppe is without a doubt the finest internet retailer I have ever encountered…read more Selling tobacco and smoking accessories of the finest quality, the staff are friendly, highly efficient and incredibly friendly and if in doubt are always ready and willing to offer their vast expertise, experience and time to assist a would- be buyer, without any of the normal sales pressure. The whole organisation has managed to retain the old retail shop feel, where nothing is too much trouble and the service is personal and immediate. I cannot imagine going anywhere else for my smoking needs and would whole heartedly recommend the organisation to the experienced as well as the new novice smoker. An absolute joy to do business with.

The gentleman who operates the shop is always welcoming and helpful when I send or collect parcels…read morewith Yodel or FedEx. The shop is well presented and very clean.

When I came into Mirage News I thought it was just a bog standard newsagents. Crisps, sweets,…read morecigarettes, bottles of fizzy pop and few newspapers. That kind of thing. That's certainly what it looks like from the outside. And it does sell all of those things. But what it also does is tobacco. So what I'm talking about is cigars. In fact a couple of cabinets full of the things, with a wide range of types. They also sell tobacco, in flavours such as apple, banana and toffee, all weighed out to the amount you would like. They also sell paraphernalia like pipes and lighters. The guy serving is nice enough too. What Mirage News is really great for is its tobacco though.

In these times of a rescission it is mind boggling that so many family run, smaller businesses are…read moresurviving in the outskirts of Leeds.With students making meals out of bits and bobs, or having 2 packets of crisps and a mars bar for their dinner, corner shops such as Kirkstall are still going strong! The is nothing flash about this small store and it is a little dusty and old fashioned. If appearence doesn't bother you and you need to pick up the essentials, Kirkstall offers it you at a handy location. If you want anything past the bare essentials I would head to the supermarket however as range is small and the prices a little higher than ASDA! That is unless it's booze you're after! Kirkstall offers a large range of alcohol and brands at average prices with good deal on bottles of wine (written on neon paper starts in corner shop style!) I have a feeling this shop relies on cricket customers buying their alcohol here before entry to avoid the high prices and students buying snacks! Kirkstall's location is handy for the bare essentials, however if you want to do a bulk shop for something more than milk, bread, newspaper and cigarettes, drive up the road to co-op for a much bigger selection!

Having been living in the more student-style areas of Leeds for sometime I'm familiar with a number…read moreof little off-licenses and corner shops. It comes with the territory, doesn't it? Anyway, now that this is one of my nearer mini-stores I've had the opportunity to sample their shop and - surprise surprise - there isn't a lot of story here. It's the usual, it covers all the standard groceries that you might need to nip over for. Bread, milk, tea bags, toilet roll, tobacco, booze, chocolate, crisps - you see where I'm going with this. Trouble is, if you are after more than the standard you'll need to actually go to a supermarket. If you want to pay less you'll need to actually go to a supermarket - or, y'know, go to the indie stores for the local organic touch. The thing with these little shops is that they can get away with bumping the price of milk and bread - because it's closer and you won't be bothered with making the extra effort. Anyhow - it is here to provide you with the bare essentials, emergency items, until it's time to do the big shop! Not bad.

There is a time and a place for shops such as Bargain Booze and the other chain stores and I have…read morebeen known to frequent them on many occasions. However, what I really love is a place where they really know what they are talking about and have a great selection as well. It's easier said then done these days. That's why I like Cairns & Hickey. The stock over 400 wines from 17 countries and you won't always have to break the bank either. If you are on a budget then that's fine. Prices start from under four quid. Course you can go way above that but it depends on your preference. Why not use some of the knowledge in store and talk through the tipples of your choice. The staff are friendly and very helpful so use that rare quality these days. In fact if you are planning a party or corporate orders you are best advised to ask to really get good value for money. They even have a few numbers from England and Ireland and oddly (to me anyway) Lebanese. They are also rich in malt whiskies, which isn't my thing but if it is you are in for some hard liquored treats. It's a big shop and well stocked and worth a visit if you are a fine of fine wines and malts.

Cairns & Hickey is the sort of place that could only really exist in a rather posh suburb such as…read moreBramhope. You know you're in a rather upmarket establishment when there's a bottle of wine on offer for £150. But that gives a bad impression of the place - they also sell wine for £3.50, and anywhere in between, showing the range of produce stocked here. The owners have a real passion for wine, indeed, one of them allegedly has a qualification in wine studies. This shows as they stock around 400 different types of vino on a constantly changing roster, meaning that if you are serious about your wine, C & H is the place to be.

This is the biggest shop in the Oddbins chain. It has a large warehouse at the back but a really…read moremassive floor space at the front. The selection of wine is massive with cheap bottles mingling happily with a fine section as well as some beer and cider. The staff here are very attentive and hark back to the Oddbins I used to shop at in the early 90's. These guys are seriously into their wine and love to talk about it. There is always a bustle about the place as they run a large wholesale operation so people whizz about with trolleys loaded with boxes, but will always find time to help you with your wine buys if they can. If you want good wine and decent advice this is the plce to go in leeds. The selection is really excellent and the advice to go with it is always available with special offers always on.