For many years, I owned and ran a hardware shop of just the kind Adrian Chiles speaks of so fondly (When I want to feel loved, I just go to a hardware store, 13 May). It’s nice to see he makes an effort to support them but, sadly, buying a few hose fittings and a potted plant is not enough to see them survive.
Ultimately, it became impossible for me to compete with the chain stores on big-ticket items and make a profit selling “’ose”, “plugs”, “Ps” and “four candles”, and so, like so many other small shop owners, I said “bill hooks!” and gave up the unequal struggle.
Stephen Peckham
Westerham, Kent
• Forty years ago, when I was setting up home with a young family and little money, a walk to a local hardware store solved several problems. Broken teapot lid? A perfect replacement found in a box of assorted ceramic lids. Broken saucepan lid knob? A perfect replacement found in another box, and still in use today. Sadly, I had to get a bus into town to get my umbrella repaired – but it was done. And today? A trip to the dump, and another online purchase.
Elizabeth Monger
Plymouth
• Angove Sports in Hayle, Cornwall, has been trading for over 40 years, in just the way Adrian Chiles remembers. Generations of children have bought their first football boots or cricket bats from them. Incidentally, it’s owned and run by Mollie (aged 90) and Roy (aged 94). Long may it continue.
Nancy Johnson
Sheffield
• Thank you, Adrian Chiles, for highlighting the joy of the local hardware store which always has just what you want. Bishopston Hardware in my neck of the woods fulfils this important role. I still mourn the loss of the sports shop next door. It was my cricket-mad son’s 10th birthday in September and, of course, they could sell me some left-handed batting gloves.
Paul Michell
Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire
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