Hardware
There are many shops as you wander down the high street. One that I always feel, sticks out from all the usual names you see, is Thorpes Hardware store. This place seems to sell everything! It maybe that I have just missed them, but you really dont see may stores like this anymore. Give me a place like this than those huge warehouse type places you see everywhere. When I walked past the other day, I was very pleased to see they were selling hot water bottles 
awww dont you just love these kind of stores. Shame you dont see many of them now. Not sure if its just me but I can walk into one of these stores needing absolutely nothing and leave carrying 2 carrier bags !!
never knew there was such a thing as a ‘ light bulb specialist ‘ .. wish I still lived in Newcastle ..I’d have to pop in !! lol
I haven’t been to Gosforth High Street for years and Thorpe’s was a new on me so I looked them up and they have a wonderful website:
http://www.thorpesofgosforth.co.uk/
And best of all they have a model train system running round the shop:
http://www.thorpesofgosforth.co.uk/templates/52/images/trainsequence.mpg
I have to visit just for that. I haven’t seen anything like it since the model shop in Eldon Square closed. Let’s hope that between us we can put some business their way and help to keep them going.
Sorry, Chris, in my excitement at discovering the model train set I didn’t notice that you had already published the Thorpe’s website address.
Alf, thats fine. I actually forgot about the train, so thanks for mentioning it
I hope they do get some business out of it but I am also sure they do alright–its always busy when I go in 
I’ve often passed in the bus or car and it reminded me of a similar shop I used to go to when I lived in London http://bit.ly/rGwIZp Still have several bits and pieces I bought there.
Wonderful shops where you get personal service and not everything comes in frustrating vacuum packs.
Thanks Chris, I think a shopping trip to Gosforth High Street is overdue. They have real ale pubs too.