July 2022 by Trevor DC Gamble
Extraordinarily outstanding general store/hardware and household items stockist in the very heart of East Grinstead town centre. A veritable must see TARDIS like shop, that I never even knew had a third top floor till today. Situated in what was the old top of London Road EG Gamley's the Toyshop business space for many years. Lately was empty after Banados charity shop moved out, packing up shop there. Second floor was books area back then before the pandemic started. Now one of three levels of hardware supplies goods, plus two extra rooms off those main showrooms of everything Plumbing, Electrical, DIY, Tools, Power Tools, Automotive, Decorating and kitchen and household spread throughout the building. Veritable treasure trove. I went in for a spare bulb for a lamp really. Having been helped day before to finally source the tiny bulb I wished to obtain for a Himalyan Rock Salt Lamp I happily own. Nowhere had such a bulb as required. Here they do, bulbs aplenty. Bought two spare just in case bulbs extra today. Then found excellent selection of tapes electrical and Gaffa type. Great prices and bargains throughout store here. Finally sourced here today a bargain priced long handled dustpan and brush set even too as well. Surprised at great variety of lines here available to purchase, like a nineteen seventies traditional hardware store really used to be like. Old school. Great help, and sterling customer services. So much to see. Unexpected lines too from vehicle quality Jerry type fuel Cans, to carpets and mats, bowls, buckets, storage crates, kitchen crockery, camping lines plus even knitting wool. Saw lots to like, for future trips in. Absolutely out does Robert Dyas at their own game honestly, on value and in pure breadth of range. Full of surprises. And a treat for local EG town history buffs too like myself. I've been here living in the town from 1974 as a kid. Never till today seen parts of this great building. Top level must have been the store stockroom of Gamley's the Toy Shop once years ago. Laying unused as a shop space till today in this current store. Very tiny staircase going up to final top room, where the carpets, mats and rugs, wheelbarrows and plenty more like knitting wool etc is. Not sure many up to making the final climb. Felt safer coming down the tiny final stairs backwards. Like going up an old style Medieval castle thin stairway. Tiny steps, room for one way travel only. Great place to look around. To explore and to shop. Thoroughly recommended. They've obviously really with passion worked their heart out kitting out this place. Very impressed. (Main first staircase up used to take one to Gamley's Toy Shop first floor. Later the books section of Banados, only closed to the public there when my elderly father Richard John Gamble years ago was unfortunate enough to fall down the staircase one day, injuring himself.) Now stairs again takes one to decorating and household supplies, as well as gardening tools etc. There's no running out of things to see. If they've not got what you want I got the distinct impression they will source requirements for the customer. From their other companion stores across the South East. Like their Crowborough branch for instance. I've enjoyed looking around, there's no pressure on time to browse as there's so much to see. I was invited a few times to take a tour around whole store myself, so today months after first invite I finally did do. Very glad, as I've gained a new favourite shop in East Grinstead.
