These local heroes create funky, ethically sourced clothing from their Bristol offices. The focus…read moreis on t-shirts and hoodies with designs provided by independent artists, creating results not unlike the Spunky range (which also has a foothold in Bristol via their shop on Park Street). T-shirts cost around £18 on their website, though I only became aware of them when I picked one up (see pic) at their stall at the Tobacco Factory's weekly Sunday market (and I paid closer to £15 for it). Be warned, their sizes may be a little small as I'm usually a large (honest), though on this occasion I had to upgrade to an XL.

This colourful little shop sells ethically-made cotton t-shirts and hoodies featuring designs…read morecreated by independent artists from across the West Country. It's only a tiny outlet, located in a unit on the end of the South Arcade of St Nicholas Market, just opposite The Rummer Hotel on All Saints Lane (where you should spot their chalk-board sign standing just outside). They're constantly introducing fresh designs by new artists, such as Andy Council and Peskimo, alongside longer-running favourites. There are fits for men, women and children, although sizes tend to be a bit on the small side, and there's a wide range of colours to choose from. Look out for the items labelled 'EP', which means the designs have been printed on carbon neutral t-shirts, which are 100% organic cotton and made with machinery powered by wind and solar power!

Good value for money, no queues at the till, staff seem informed and helpfull, great choice of…read moreproducts for both trade and DIY'ers, Everything you need under one roof! recommended!

Used to be one of the best trade/DIY stores about, sadly no longer the case. A wide range of goods…read moreused to be stocked making it suitable for both the professional and DIY customer, however the focus now seems to be on selling kitchens and conservatories.

The products at Morely Grove are fairly basic, not bland but just very modern and basic as a reault…read moreof this. The products are good quality and will be fitted personally. There really isn't much to say about Morley Grove- the staff are very friendly, the items on offer are stylishly modern, and they offer discounts on their most coveted products from time to time, meaning it is always worth a drop in visit if you're planning to renovate.

Kellaway Building Supplies are a family run business and have been around for 25 years. They have…read moreexpanded in the recent years to 8 branches around the South West. The branch in Fishponds is fairly large by local standards and stocks a large variety of DIY goods. In addition, this branch also sells a range of paints, plumbing materials and other household products. There is also a small yard to the back of the building which contains a few heavyside building materials. From the roadside, Kellaways does look a little unprofessional. There was a number of random things dumped on the pavement and it was a bit of a mission to get to the front door! Nonetheless, once inside the vast number and range of products is impressive. I was told that they house over 9000 products and also offer delivery on certain items. Furthermore, I found the shop very easy to navigate around which is an achievement for someone who rarely visits these types of shops! I found the staff really nice and informative, and I would recommend this business for general DIY needs.

Other people here have mentioned the hardware store on one side (they mix Dulux paint which is very…read morehandy by the way) but I just want to mention the garden centre which is on the separate building across the pedestrian/cycle path (which reminds me - do note the different coloured bricks and cycle images on the floor and watch out for cycles). The garden centre is pretty well stocked for peripherals, but also has a nice selection of instant colour seasonal plants as well as some fruit and herbs for kitchen gardens. Their willows and topiary are a bit old fashioned and I would recommend going to a specialist nursery for trees (try Chew Valley Trees) but this is great for a gardening hit in town.

This sprawling department store feels like one giant throwback to the 1970s. The design is dowdy,…read morecome here after going to Ikea for a real shock. You'll hear very British muzak plays over the speakers, interrupted occasionally by an announce who kindly reminds you to validate your parking when paying for your goods. Quaint to the point of being weird, and also almost always completely empty. Enough of analysis of the style of the shop, I should probably tell you if it's any good. There are sections for homeware and DIY, as well as a garden centre. You can get more or less anything for the home, a few things you didn't know you needed, and a few things no-one would ever need. There's an entire row of various things for your milkman to leave the milk in, to give you an idea of the range. It's not that cheap unfortunately. I think all there costs must go on the staff (who are very helpful), of which there seem to be a greater number than there are customers most of the time.

Molton Brown has got to be one of my all time favourite brands. This shop has been here for a bit…read morelonger than the new one at Cabot Circus in the centre of Bristol, but the products are really worth trying if you have never tried them before. DOn't be put off by the prices, yes they are more expensive than your normal high street brand but you get what you pay for. The staff are really helpful aswell and will always give some ideas to any men that want to treat the lady in his life!

A small electrical retailer with good prices and free delivery. They are easy to overlook when you…read morehave the argos catalogue in front of you, but it is worth visiting if you need a new appliance or a spare part. The staff are very helpful and will give you good advice.

I recently purchased a tumble dryer from here, they were fab. I had 20 pound off,free delivery and…read morethey even delivered the same day. They were fab, i was really pleased. The shop stocks electrical goods (as the same suggests) and they also do parts for electrical goods. More expensive than big name electrical stores but if you take into account that the offer free delivery that saves you 2 quid!

Bristol Tools is a no nonsense store specialising in hand tools, but stocking a whole lot more. I…read morebought a spade here for £6.99 the other day, and so can vouch for the affordable prices they charge. But it's the sheer choice of products that impresses you most, many of which possess a latter day charm as well as a price tag to match. I'm sure that if I looked hard enough I'd find gold mining pans and twin handled lumberjack saws! If you can't find it here, then you won't get it anywhere else. Services include key cutting and blade sharpening, although if you bought your tools from here you won't need to use the latter so often. All of them are made using the finest steel and come replete, in most instances, with finely crafted wooden handles; there's no shonky steel and badly matching plastic moulded handles at this store - you'll have to go to Rajani's for those.

Much like the varnish they sell in their shop that does exactly as it says on the tin, if you need…read moreany tool in Bristol - Bristol Tools will have it. Having been on the same corner since 1973 the guys in here are incredibly knowledgeable. Every bit of DIY and every odd job about the house has always led me here. One of the things that really sets this shop out above the rest for me is how it is customer focussed in every sense. Their priority is getting you what you need. If they don't have what you want, for example, they'll call other hardware shops in Bristol before ordering it in. If they do have to order it in, it's always within 24 hours. The guys here are also very proud that they haven't 'sold out' to specialise in power tools. Like many businesses in the area they keep it traditional, local and very hands on.