I'm not sure it's possible to rate a bank as more than three stars, let alone one I've never…read moreactually been in - so, as bank go, Nationwide, yer alright! My actual reason for commenting on this particular branch is that I feel the profile of its two outdoor cashpoints needs raising - why are there always huge queues outside the neighbouring Lloyds TSB cashpoint and yet nobody ever using this one? Beats me.

This is a very, very busy branch since Nationwide took over the Portman Building Society. Its…read morereceived quite a bit of investment, so there's a fair few holes-in-the-wall available. And there's often at least one greeter on duty, who will either demonstrate the machines or see to a query, so that the queue is often a little shorter than it looks. However, the level of expertise of the staff seems to have gone down in recent years, and the regard for privacy. I recently had a member of staff come to see me in the banking hall, rather than taking me to one of the glass-walled interview rooms. And a cashier who was taciturn to the point of . well, not quite rudeness, but not far off. I think its a teething problem with integrating the Portman customer, I hope it is, anyway, because its a good company with good products, very centrally located with a lot of facilities available on a Saturday, when most of us need them most.

This Natwest location is well and truly still open, so I don't know why it is marked as closed, it…read moreis their "Brighton City Centre" location, located inside Churchill Square Shopping Centre. Opening hours of 9:30 am to 5 pm, opening half an hour later on Wednesday's, and opening half an hour earlier on Saturday's are pretty common and generic for a bank, still for me closing at 2 on Saturday is really poor and unreasonable, considering almost every other bank is open until at least 4 pm nearby, with the exception being Nationwide which closes at 3 and Metro Bank, the closest rival which is open until 5. Considering this is a mall location which isn't too common for banks, especially in Brighton, the decor makes you feel like you're in an actual Natwest store, with a good amount of seating and basic banking machines for doing everyday activities. The staff could have been a little more outgoing and helpful, yet they did seem to be busier as anticipated and in need of another staff member or two. 3* - Let down by staffing levels and opening hours. They do also have coin facilities which many banks seem to be phasing out either completely or with machines.

This is probably the best place to pick up some cash in Churchill Square, as, unlike some of the…read moreother ATMs littered around the place, you won't be charged money here, which is always a bonus.

A friend of mine has always sworn by this place so while I was out today running a few shoe related…read moreerrands in town I thought it would be wise to get the massive wad of Euros I've had on me, since I returned home from travelling a few months ago, exchanged. The reason that my friend (Frazz) has always sworn by this place is that they will apparently match any conversion rate that you have been offered. So he cheats, by getting a couple of good quotes and then exaggerating them a bit to his own gain. I, however, am a rubbish cheat and get the feeling that these guys are much better at this game than I am. On my visit today I found the place to be totally down to business straight forward beuro de change with less in the way of packaging than your average bank. Great I thought, but as I stood there in the queue I noticed a distinct air of haggling going on between the man with the conversion screen behind the counter and every customer he served. Then it dawned on me that, like Frazz, you have to be in the game here or they will be making their profit from you. Having done no research into what my Euros are actually worth I turned on my heel and beat a hasty retreat. I suppose the moral of the story here is if you're going to use this place there is a good rate to be had. But do your research!

This is the shop to go to for business. No frills, nothing fancy, and secure facilities for the…read morestaff, we're talking cash only, and the best exchange rate in Brighton. For instance, at a time when Thomas Cook up the road were doing £1 to E1.19, The Coin Shop was doing £1 to E 1.23. Its right in the centre of Brighton, don't miss it!

Pawnbrokers are often affluent in products due to misfortune, desperation or just people trying to…read moremake a quick buck. They are ruthless in their pricing and more often than not, if you don't have something of true worth you'll be turned away. Like TK Maxx, it's a myth that you can actually get anything decent in these things-CD's are cheap, but remember people have already disowned them for 50p so unless you want another copy of M People's 'greatest' hits, its just not worth it. I can't speak for the pawners that make this shop functionable, but in Grimsby it's a disparaging sight to see men selling off their wedding rings and family heirlooms with no intention of ever trying to get them back.

Pawnbrokers. Find most of your Computing, entertainment…read morerequirements here. Good selection

I am not a happy bunny. Went to B. of. Scotland this afternoon and discovered that their business…read moreaccounts are now run by Lloyds TSB. If I'd wanted an account with them I'd have opened one in the first place!! I had an account with Lloyds years ago and their customer service was soooo bad, I actually hung up the phone once and smashed it into pieces. And I'm usually a pacifist!

Man it's crazy in here, even more insane that it is a bank…read more Not being a Barclays customer, I haven't much use for this place but it does make me laugh how their actual customers intrepidly stomp across the mass expanse that is their lobby, only to be greeted by a bullet protected fading smile. Natwest will continue to suffice for me, although I am a little bit jealous and disappointed that they haven't made any effort to create a similarly Minority Report styled outfit.

Who-ever designed the interior of Barclays main Brighton branch needs stringing up by the short 'n'…read morecurlies. Really. The effect is supposed to be slick and stylish but in reality, it feels horribly cold, soul-less and space age. Everywhere you look, there's gleaming silver and white 'information points' with no staff or information, empty open spaces or a massive queue of frustrated looking customers. If you do manage to find someone to help you and judging by my experience it's a big if, they usually try to book you in to speak to an advisor another time! The cash points are okay but if you're trying to pay in or take money out over the counter, heaven help you. The queues are usually 5-20 minutes long and lunchtimes are best avoided altogether.

Accounting is generally viewed as boring but important - a confusing chore which most of us dread…read moredoing and usually hire someone expensive to do it for us. Well here is a company which, for a fixed fee, combines online accounting (easy documentation for you) and an accountant that is easily accessible by phone - at no extra cost (hurrah). The company specialises in contractors, freelancers or people with their own ltd company. I signed up recently and found the whole process surprisingly easy: the staff were really friendly and helpful, the process was quick and they showed me how to save money in tax. Excellent!

Meh I've been with them for approx 18 months now and had to upgrade to their premium service - £150…read morea month just to circumvent issues with their system. Their system has serious flaws - their account reconciliation with your bank statements is horrid horrid horrid and never works, so you need to pay extra for a book keeper to do it for you, and they don't always do it properly. The system itself constantly sends out erroneous messages about things it thinks you need to do but have already done which, if you're anything like me and loathe accounting, is panic inducing. The one thing I'd say in its favour - invoicing and expensing is nice. That's it. I'm now researching alternatives.