The man that works there is always friendly and very helpful. I am always greeted in a friendly…read moremanner and when I leave I feel my customer experience has been great. He treats all his customers fairly and works very efficiently making sure everyone has the correct amount of attention. The shop has a calm and friendly atmosphere whenever I go in, its very tidy and organised with all the essentials you need. I really wanted to rate it as I haven't found this shop with a rating yet online and feel it really deserves a 5 star. Thank you.

I've been popping in and out of this shop since I was about 10 years old. My earliest memory of the…read moreplace is when Granddad lived around the corner on Dyas Road and would always pick up his Evening Mail from there. I find it very satisfying that the shop is still there and looks pretty much as I remember it as a kid. Whilst it's changed hands a few times over the years it's still a reassuring fixture of the Kingstanding Road. These days I drop in once a month or so to buy tobacco, or some other 'essential' (is tobacco an essential?) as I pass through Kingstanding. As well as a newsagent this is also an off licence - it wasn't like that in my Granddad's day! - so, if the mood takes you, you can always pick up a beer or two for a reasonable price.

Selling a wide range of newspapers, magazines and everyday household items, this small…read morenewsagent-come-convenience store is a handy place to stop by whenever you're passing through Kingstanding. A large public car park is located just over the road, for shoppers visiting the Hawthorn shopping centre and several bus stops are within walking distance. Inside, the store is clean, spacious and very well organised. Though small in size, logical organisation and lack of makeshift shelving make ensure that the store never feels cramped, and friendly staff make every visit here a pleasant one. The prices are surprisingly good too.

In the age of digital music, internet shopping and supermarkets undercutting everybody there will…read morealways be a place for an independent record store where you can guarantee the staff know there stuff, can make recommendations, get you hard to find Record Store Day vinyl without the need to trek to Rough Trade in London. If you like your Punk, Metal, Emo, Screamo, Hardcore and any other sub-genre of this ilk you can think of then you need to visit this little store tucked away in the Oasis centre. Rich at Ignite has been a long time face on the music scene in Brum. He champions local bands and puts out his own releases through his own indie label Speedowax. As a long time customer from his days working at Tempest before embarking on his own little operation he can soon help you part with your money as he soon gets to know your musical tastes and he caters to his customers. Support your local independent sellers, and sometimes it may cost you a pound more but its a shiny, actual object you can touch and read the lyrics and see pretty artwork and have in your hands there and then, knowing its been stocked with love and attention just for you.

Dropping in to ignite is always a pleasure to have a catch up with Rich and check for any new…read morestock. Having been a regular for many years of both tempest and ignite dealing with Rich is always great, he learns your taste in music and the specific bands you like, from which he will always find a new recommendation for you, specialising in all forms of alternative music. Rich is always happy to try and order those rare to find, limited editions and imports you can't get on the high street. Anything he does have in stock he will happily play for you to get an idea if it's up your street! Vinyl is a speciality at ignite with promising stock for every record day as well, he even recently took part in the first tape day stocking a limited number of new and re-release tape albums and EPs. Rich also runs a local record label Speedowax with which he helps promote and sell new and upcoming talent! I would always recommend shopping here for music over highstreet stores (support your local businesses!) even though some purchases may cost an extra pound or two, you may find some real talent you would otherwise never be exposed to...