I don’t really know how to describe this gorgeous shop in the heart of market town Market Harbourgh, Frank Gilbert Hardware. It’s like a trip down memory lane and a shopping interaction that is not of this time or generation, it’s the opposite to fast rude and stupid.

So it’s an old fashioned hardware store, if you need a mop and bucket, brush, a washing line/skipping rope, yes Frank Gilbert provided.

If you liked going to Wilkinsons before it went bust this is like Wilkinsons packed into an Aladdin’s cave or grotto with a friendly knowledgeable Santa like character waiting to smile, tell you you’ve been good and then sell you what you need.

Like visiting Santa, there is always a queue but people don’t mind, they chat amongst themselves waiting patiently to be served by Frank.

It’s slow for sure. I’ve learned so much about deep fat fryers and cooling fans with variable settings standing in that queue waiting to make my purchase and instead of it really annoying me like it does in the post office or the gossip on the checkout at the supermarket this I find relaxing and strangely entertaining, Frank is so knowledgeable about his product range he provides a real service people support and are prepared to wait for.

If you are passing the stripey green awning just pop your head in and say hello. Tell Frank you’ve heard all about him and see what happens.

Like many other wonderful old shops Frank Gilbert is in person only, no website.

His beautiful shop opening hours are Monday-Saturday 9am-5.30pm no surprise closed all day Wednesday.

Heads up if you are planning a visit to Market Harborough where there are still quite a few independent shops still operating and it’s a different from the mall experience where everything is the same, quite a few smaller and independently run shops still close on Wednesdays.