The staff in here are always helpful and ready to give the less knowledgeable DIYer some great…read moreadvice about suitable equipment to use and also how to do things! Their goods are normally at very reasonable prices and they also offer free delivery if you have a cash account with them which I found very easy to get. It is £10 for delivery if you don't have an account. Lots of things to look at and choose from and refunds for unused unopened items are easy to obtain. I like to be able to see before I buy so I often wander around their yards selecting what I need.

Out of all the DIY shops around I think Wickes has to be my favourite. They sell all their own…read morebrand stuff, unlike most diy stores. When they first opened I was wary of them, but I can honestly say that having tried and tested many of their products, I am impressed. Their own branded paint is better than all of the leading brands that I have tried! I recommend it to everyone. And the best part is that it is usually less than half the price of the leading brands. They sell pretty much anything you could possibly need for renovating your house. I know of many builders who buy their supplies from Wickes as they offer such good value and quality. The staff are always very friendly and willing to help, although I have seen some rude customers asking really awkward questions. What some customers tend to forget is that the staff are not educated in diy so they have as much general knowledge as the average person, hence they often can't answer tricky questions. Still, they have always been very polite if I have had a query and I have never had a problem in obtaining a refund if a product I bought has been unsuitable.

We are very lucky to have this shop in our small town as it is packed to the rafters with all kinds…read moreof useful items. It's really two shops in one, as half is devoted to DIY and hardware with the other side being a well-stocked pet shop. There is a huge range of products and it's a rare occasion when they haven't had the item I needed, or haven't been able to offer an alternative. Whether it's a watering can or a toy for your budgerigar, it's all here! The staff are lovely people, real local characters, and if you take your dog into the pet 'department' it will be spoiled rotten and will for ever after try to drag you into the shop if you are passing by!

Wickes has great customer services. DIY Shopping in Wickes is mostly cheap. You have to compare it…read morewith B&Q before you buy. Sometimes they have got cheaper stuff than B&Q, but sometimes they have also got more expensive stuff compared to B&Q. Their own branded products are good quality. One thing I like about this Wickes branch is its tidy shop. Its layout is also nice. Their products are well placed in shelves. They really look after the shop. The problem with Wickes is they have not got good network branch. As fas as I know, they have only two branches in Newcastle.

Wilkinsons is great in many ways - and the Cockermout branch is no exception…read more I always think of Wilkinsons as the scaled down B&Q for those who don't have a car - without Wilkinsons I don't know how I would get any DIY done! They have all the basics - filler, paint, screws, nails, hammers, gardening stuff. They also have home stuff such as plates and cups, cushions and throws, bedding and towels etc. And they also sell obscure things such as curtain rails and sink plugs. A great shop and everything is very reasonably priced.

I found this builders merchants to be very expensive compared to DIY stores. I guess trade prices…read moreare in here? However being a DIYer the lady behind the counter was very informed on what I required & the best bits to use for the job. She also directed me to The Plastics Centre where I could get the parts cheaper.