Kate Naylor's Qype profile

Ransoms… what can I say? Twenty five years ago I discovered this little gem just off London Road and today it is still worth it’s weight in gold.

I defy anyone to go into Ransoms and come out disappointed. The fella in there (I think he’s called Dave) and his friendly staff - some of whom have been there for decades - know eveything there is to know about household goods, haberdashery and all those vital bits and bobs that, since Hanningtons and Vokins closed, you don’t know where to buy.

Tardis-like, Ransoms is stuffed to the brim with useful things for the house, garden and garage. I know people who regularly spend a couple of hours in there rummaging, just for fun, in the sure knowledge that there’s always something new and useful/useless yet intriguing to be found.

If Ransoms’s doesn’t stock what you want, Dave will either order it or tell you where you can find it.

I’ve included a short list as a taster. But this is just the tip of a truly massive iceberg:

Fuses, curtain rings, wastebaskets, bread boards, picture frames, skins, rolling machines, wire wool, flower vases, tea towels, knitting wool, handbags, gladd beads, sewing scissors and neat little gadgets for threading needles, fabric dye, ant killer, houseplant fertiliser, plant pots, toothbrushes, storage boxes, kettles, mugs and cutlery, screwdrivers, light fittings and bulbs, plastic flowers, nails, hooks, baskets, china cats, embroidery thread, make up, candles, hair scrunchies, buckets, peanuts for garden birds!

Tell you what, I’d give a lot for the chance to go upstairs and delve into the stockrooms up there. You can see in, tantalisingly, from the outside, stacked high with weird and wonderful goods. Perhaps if I shop in there for another quarter of a century, that’ll qualify me for a good poke around?!

For those who haven’t been in brighton long, there’s no such place as ther Northern, or North, Lanes. It’s actually called the North Laine.

Snooper’s paradise is brilliant if you’re after retro clothes, furniture, ceramics, paintings, curtains, old books… it’s a HUGE tatty place packed to the roof with junk/collectibles and the occasional bona fide antique.

Made up of individual stalls, Snooper’s paradise is a fun place to hunt for bargains. For an equally good rummage and a better chance of a really good bargain, I’d recommend the flea market in Kemptown and the junk emporium in Lewes - both along the same lines but cheaper! Their sister emporium in Newhaven closed in 2007… and it’s sadly missed!

I came down to Brighton from the North East to study at the art college in 1982. I never left!

Brighton’s a fun, funky, intelligent, free-thinking place with a massive, friendly gay community and more clubs than you can shake a stick at.

It’s packed to the gills with artists, writers and other creative types, which gives the town - the North Laine and Lanes shopping areas in particular - a unique flavour.

Steer clear of Western Road unless you want ordinary high street stuff.

Brighton’s second hand and charity shops are always worth a rummage. There’s a lot of money here and some people give away their clothes at the end of every season. Try the PDSA off London Road, for example, if you’re size 12 and like Karen Millen!

There are literally hundreds of restaurants, cafes and eateries of every imaginable nationality. From West Indian to Japanese, Tex Mex to the finest Indian food.

For a seaside resort, Brighton is remarkably free of amusements and tacky stuff. Instead, the seafront promenade is sprinkled with art galleries, gift shops, bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs.

If you’re into pubs, you’ll be hard pressed to find a proper local these days - sticky carpet, old dog and all - but there are loads and loads of gastro pubs, teenage boozing havens, smart bars and funky venues.

The town had two piers until recently. Five years ago, the old one finally burned down. Now, it’s no more than a Grade 1 listed wreck of twisted metal decaying gently out to sea. The Palace Pier (oops - I forgot - it has been re-named Brighton Pier) is cheap 'n’ cheerful; free deck chairs, piped music, amusements, a funfair, chips, Brighton rock… great fun.

Personally, I can’t think of a better place to be in the UK.

Malarkey stocks the funniest cards on earth. As long as you’re not embarrassed by being unable to control your giggles in a public place, it’s the best card shop in town!

They also stock lots of really unusual little books and gifts, most of which are also hilarious. Brilliant place.