Maurice Robinson Sports

I like Maurice Robinson Sports, mainly because of the name. It harks back to a bygone age when footballers hung up their boots and either ran a pub or opened a sports shop. For many years, as a kid, I was taken by my Granddad to the now defunct Harry Parkes shop in central Brum. Harry played for Aston Villa in the 1940s and 50s, and my old Granddad was a fan, so that’s where we went for my boots. Similarly, in the 1980s, George Graham had a sports shop in Cockfosters, North London. By the time I went there to attend University in the early 1990s, Graham was managing Arsenal but the shop remained.
I’m not sure if Maurice ever played professional sport, but given that this is a very old school sports shop reminiscent of times gone by, I rather hope that he did. See, this isn’t your stack-​em-​high-​sell-​em-​cheap sports emporium typified by JJB and the like, this is a small shop that carries only one or two of each item, yet still manages to cater for pretty much any sport you can mention. We’ve bought swimming stuff for our sun, tennis balls, and, most recently, a gum shield for my wife, who has recently taken up the terrifying sport of Roller Derby. On each occasion we’ve been in the staff have been friendly and helpful and, should you not find what you’re looking for, are happy to order it in.

A dependable, local sports store that will re-​string your tennis racket or supply you with some much needed table tennis bats when you’ve abused your equipment beyond self-​repair. They also have a variety of other stock including running shoes, goggles and sports bras.
Whether it be tennis, badminton, squash or racquetball they will happily dispense their knowledge to guide you towards the supreme racquet and supplementary equipment. They’re very friendly and if you’re in a dilemma as to which sweatbands will make you look like Bjorn Borg back-​in-​the-​day I’m sure they would know of the whereabouts of some aged, circa 1970 sweatbands.
If you’re into your sports Maurice Robinson is there to cater for your interests.

On entering this bright shop, I spy an oversized promotional tennis racket on the wall and make the joke about the giant that I imagine the sales person has heard a hundred times before. On the contrary, it turns out that she’s delightfully charmed by my quip. Particularly big on sales of tennis kit, accessories and tennis wear, many other sports are catered for including swimming, running and darts.
They have some kids swimming toys in stock. The ones in the shape of stick-​like seals wearing swim goggles that parents or swimming teachers throw in for kids to retrieve from the bottom of the pool. At £11.99, I’ll have them, as they are £15 at the pool I go to. At these prices, I’ll be back in soon to score some darts too.

A super sports shop, I visit this shop whenever I need anything to do with my badminton playing. New racquets, shoes, restringing, everything is offered here. The staff are very friendly, and are always up to the job. I’d highly recommend this shop to anyone who plays racquet sports, and they also serve most other sports too.