At 42 St James's Street is another one of those businesses, like Adrian Irwin, whose flourishing trade is interesting to me. Alpha Radio, is a hardware store bwtween Mr Jacks and St James Supermarket. It specializes in audio visual equipment, electrical appliances and electronics, but stocks a whole range of those weird items we hardly ever think about or buy until its very inconvenient indeed that we don't have them: screwdrivers, household thermometers, brass pocket balances,socket adaptors, replacement lock cylinders, latches, hoover bags, fuses, light bulbs, batteries, drill bits, sandpapers and heavy duty mounting tape. Other eye-catching must-have items include mini-kettles, headphones, haircutting kits, phones, radios, rice cookers, irons, timers, speakers, paint stripper, wiring and pegs. For the specialists, they also stock minicab aerials.
Alpha Radio closes on Sundays. I suppose their nearest rivals, other than Woolworths, Argos, and the pound shops like Sam 99p, 99p Store, Pound Power, Pound Market will be Discount Decore or DIY London.
What most of the shops listed above don't have is quite the level of friendly service.
Tel 020 8520 5306.