Back to basics with the best

The face of the high street is rapidly changing. Gone are the butchers, bakers and tailors of old to be replaced by cosmetic surgeons, dieticians and aromatherapists, according to the latest classifications in Yellow Pages, it was reported yesterday. But for those who feel nostalgic about the passing of the corner shop, there are still some unique retail experiences to be had in London. We have sourced some of the best shops in the city, where there isn't an alternative therapy in sight.

PERSEPHONE BOOKS

Fittingly, this unique publishing house sits opposite the post box Virginia Woolf once used. Founded by Nicola Beauman, Persephone prints mainly neglected 20th century works by female writers. There are 50 titles to choose from. Costing £10 each, they are presented in dove-grey dust jackets, with colourful endpapers chosen to match the mood and date of each individual book.

59 Lamb's Conduit Street, WC1 (020 7242 9292; www.persephonebooks.co.uk)

NEAL'S YARD DIARY

This shop pioneered the way for small English cheese producers when it opened in 1979. In those days they made cheese on site and sold it, but now they source from farms all over the British Isles. Particularly good are the Hawes Wensleydale, a cows' milk cheese (£11.95 per kg) and the Mine Gabhar, an Irish goats' cheese (£35.95 per kg).

17 Shorts Gardens, WC2 (020 7240 5700; www.nealsyarddairy.co.uk)

THE STORE

This is a modern take on an old-fashioned corner shop. It manages to be all things to everyone - a café, deli and provision store. What makes it unique is that all the products are of the highest quality; the owners source from small-scale producers and sell everything from Sardinian mountain ham (£20 per kg) to string, homemade pickle and toothpaste.

97 Westbourne Park Villas, W2 (020 7792 3369)

SIMMONDS STORES

Hardware shops are like gold dust these days, but this store sells all those DIY odds and ends that are so hard to come by. Brooms and brushes hang from the ceiling and dusters are piled in corners next to chicken wire. Staff will undertake small repairs on tools and electrics.

1 Godfrey Street, SW3 (020 7352 4962)

JOHN PEARSE

You'll find this exclusive establishment tucked away in a lane in Soho. Catering for both men and women, the flamboyant tailoring is popular with creative media types. Bespoke suits (from £1,500) are made from a large selection of Donegal tweeds, classic denim or fine English worsted.

6 Meard Street, W1 (020 7434 0738; www.johnpearse.co.uk)

ROCOCO CHOCOLATES

Since Chantal Coady opened this chocolate shop 21 years ago, it has gone from strength to strength. It stocks a huge selection of unusual types of chocolate, including the addictive lime-and-basil (£3.25 for a 70g bar). The luscious "Venus Nipples" - white chocolate containing smooth coffee cream and a coffee bean on top are irresistible (£5.80 per 100g).

321 King's Road, SW3 (020 7352 5857; www.rococochocolates.com)

ROUGH TRADE RECORDS

This is an old favourite boasting a fantastically eclectic mix of music. Nothing is too much trouble for the guys behind the counter. CD albums from £11.99.

130 Talbot Road, W11 (020 7229 8541; www.roughtrade.com)

ABSOLUTE FLOWERS

You could be forgiven for thinking you had wandered into a nightclub, but this is a mesmerising flower shop. Absolute doesn't send out bunches of flowers, but lush arrangements that come in beautiful containers made from wax, rubber or glass. From £25.

14 Clifton Road, London W9 (020 7286 1155)

A DOVE & SON

This family-run butcher was established in 1889. Present owner Bob Hope has kept the quality and knowledge of meat at the forefront of his philosophy. He sells the highestquality pedigree Scotch beef and Welsh lamb. His wife makes delicious pies: a steak and claret one for three, costs £7.50.

71 Northcote Road, Clapham, SW11 (0207 223 5191)

VV ROULEAUX

This specialist ribbon shop is a rainbow-coloured treasure trove, with its distinctive displays of ribbon, flowers, feathers, braids and cord. Prices range from 70p for one metre of satin ribbon, to £95 for a vintage satin ribbon with a fur edge.

54 Sloane Square, SW1 (020 7730 3125; www.vvrouleaux.com