Tiger Wines

Affectionately known as ‘the dog shop’ due to the constant, rather startling presence of a number (I’m never quite sure exactly how many) of huge, glowering Dobermans, this is the ultimate corner shop, matching the fresh, quality veg we’ve come to expect from Asian-​run stores with a better, cheaper booze selection than the nearby Spar. Owned by one of the nicest men ever, who will order stuff in specially for you and only buys wine at discount from the wholesalers so he can transfer the savings to the customers, they have all the essentials here as well as some more unusual gourmet items — cheese with pickled onions and Bundaberg ginger beer, anyone? There’s a good frozen food section that manages to stock something other than pizzas and garlic bread, and the alcohol aisle has some great bargains on wine — the £4.49 Shiraz I picked up there recently was unbelievable good value — and proper scrumpy cider.