Halfords

This Halfords location is huge for its location — it’s really close to the City in Stepney Green. This review is for the bike /​cycle section of their store (I know nothing about cars!)
Most people come here if they have one of those cycle-​to-​work scheme vouchers and they have to get their bike at a Halfords. I would suggest going to your local bike shop (LBS) instead. The bikes they sell here are very much Halfords specific. Yes, they have Chris Boardman bikes with good components and good bang-​for-​buck but also branch out to an LBS and check out all the other bikes on the market.
Regarding accessories, they’ve got the standard accessories you’d expect. Eg pumps, lights, inner tubes, etc but they’re low to medium standard quality. If you want higher end visit your LBS.
Regarding the service, they’re not that good. Firstly the wait to see someone took forever — there seemed to be only one person in the front doing sales. Then, once you finally got the person’s attention, I had to wait again to see a bike mechanic who was in the back. Most LBS’ can fix most bike problems same-​day, however, for a simple wheel truing I had to wait the next day. Needless to say I went to an LBS instead.
Quick tip: They’ve got a huge parking lot if you’re driving there as well and it’s right next to PC World so you can run multiple errands at once.

The manager helped us today, Stewart, and he was beyond helpful. Brillant all the way. Cannot believe that I am actually leaving a review about Halfords, but there you go. Stewart at Halfords, thank you for your fantastic assistance!

It doesn’t matter what you really think of Halfords, but if you’re into cars you will find yourself in one at some point or other.
They sell pretty much everything you might need that you wouldn’t need a mechanic to sort out. Many parts can be ordered if need be, and although they have shifted their focus towards silly neon lights and glowy things to stick to your car (basically stuff that 17 year-​old boys would buy for their Citroen Saxos) they still have a good selection of tools, cleaning materials, camping equipment and other regular spares.
And they sell bikes. Again not the best bike shop compared to the likes of Cycle Surgery but the bikes they sell are decent value and good enough for most people.
This branch has a decent sized car park which is pretty good considering how close it is to Central London.

Handy location (right next to PC World/​Currys). Went in to look at their selection of affordable bikes but was let down when I requested a test ride: Store policy wouldn’t allow the bike out of the store premises, which meant I had to test ride it down the aisles of the store. Not very convenient for myself, or the shoppers and basically made it impossible to really get a feel for the bike. Seems to be a huge flaw in their customer service most bike shops at least give you a run around in their car park (there’s a massive one here). Also, lucklustre service.

I’m sad to say that I’m a stereotypical female driver. I have absolutely no clue how to look after a car except fill it up with petrol and give it a clean.
One of my break lights had stopped working and my dad told me to pop along to Halfords as I could buy one there and they could fit it for me. The service was quick and easy and not at all expensive.
Thoroughly recommended to hopeless car owners like myself!