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Accounting & financial
Christopher Lunn
Based outside London, but accessible by phone, email or organised sessions in London, this professional and personable firm deals mostly with ‘media and arty types’.
(01892 665311/ email info@christopherlunnandcompany.co.uk).

Henry Bach & Co
A Covent Garden-based firm which specialises in accounting for small limited companies and individuals.
Suite 2, 15 Broad Court, WC2 (020 7240 2834).

Moneysavingexpert.com
This invaluable website offers professional skinflint Martin Lewis’s tips on anything from getting extra reward card points to reclaiming bank charges. Feature continues

Bicycle repairs
Bicycle Workshop
Ninon Asuni has been fixing ‘anything without an engine’ for years, attracting cyclists from all over London to All Saints Road for reliable and reasonable repairs.
Bicycle Workshop, 27 All Saints Rd, W11 (020 7229 4850) Ladbroke Grove tube.

Bikefix
Its customers rave about this cycle shop and repair service. Staff are excellent at dealing with specialised, old or interesting bikes, but also take on standard frames for wheel-building, customisation and repairs.
Bikefix, 48 Lamb’s Conduit St, EC1 (020 7405 1218/ www.bikefixco.uk) Russell Square tube.

Cycle Surgery
Despite a rapidly growing chain of stores, Cycle Surgery is still one of the friendliest and most efficient bike repairers in London. The new Spitalfields branch is excellent and repairs, though not the cheapest, are often the best.
Cycle Surgery, 3 Procter St, WC1 (0800 298 8898/ www.cyclesurgery.com) Holborn tube.

Mosquito
A friendly, trustworthy service in north London that deals with everything from puncture repairs to full bike strip-downs.
Mosquito, 123 Essex Rd, N1 (020 7226 8841/ www.mosquito-bikes.co.uk) Essex Rd rail or 73 bus.

Childminders
The London Nanny Company
A firm that offers live-in or out nannies, maternity help with newborns, part-time childcare and holiday cover. Specialises in Antipodeans who ‘aren’t afraid to roll their sleeves up’.
The London Nanny Company, Vicarage House, 58-60 Kensington Church St, W8 (020 7361 0011/ www.londonnannycompany.co.uk).

Night Nannies
A godsend for sleep-deprived parents, Night Nannies provides overnight care for babies, and advice on how to encourage them to sleep through till morning.
(www.nightnannies.com).

Safehands
This babysitting pool has full Ofsted approval and works with the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure that its sitters, all aged over 21, are qualified and registered. Safehands is used by major hotels, such as the Hilton group, for their in-house care. And charges start at
£5 an hour.
(0870 844 6688/ www.safehandsnetwork.com).

Sitters
A well-organised company that has a nationwide pool of nurses, nannies and experienced childminders who have been fully vetted. You pay a monthly subscription to the service (around £4) plus a booking fee on top of the £5.50 hourly charge, then get to enjoy peace
of mind.
(0800 389 0038/ www.sitters.co.uk).

Clutterbusting
Clear Space
This troubleshooting company will re-organise your office, sort out your wardrobe, or even get your home ready to sell. Ruthless when it comes to clutter, but gentle when it comes to sentimental keepsakes, the company has a million tricks up its sleeves for decluttering.
(020 7233 3138/ www.clear-space.co.uk).

Designer Alterations
A circle of 12 tailors carries out alterations from wedding dresses to simple trousers. Also operates valeting and storage services.
Designer Alterations, 220a Queenstown Rd, SW8 (020 7498 4360).

Cobblers
Broadway Shoe Repairs
Take tattered shoes that every other cobbler has given up on to this place, ask for Henry, and watch him perform a minor miracle. Reasonably priced and efficient.
2 Bank Chambers, Tooting High St, SW17 (020 8682 0618) Tooting Broadway tube.

City Cobblers Shoe Makers
Several happy customers have reported their delight with this mending shop.
215 City Rd, EC1 (020 7251 8685) Old St tube/rail.

Jimmy’s Shoes
Family shoe shop with more than 30 years in the trade (and pre-dating Jimmy Choo). Bringing sorry soles back to life is a speciality. It also offers a quick, cheap key-cutting service.
129 Essex Rd, N1 (020 7226 4737) Essex Rd rail or 73 bus.

KG Shoes
Cobbler to the stars (or the Bee Gees and Slade, at any rate) and the first in Britain to make bespoke winklepickers, these boys are masters in the art of the shoe. They can stretch or tighten shoes, make you a bespoke pair, or repair those you already have.
253 Eversholt St, NW1 (020 7387 2234/ www.cobbler.co.uk) Mornington Crescent tube.

Well Heeled
Something of an East End institution, Ken Holmes is a proper cockney craftsman. He uses traditional needle-and-thread methods and shudders at the thought of slapping glue on to peeling soles.
443 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 (020 7739 3608) Bethnal Green tube.

Computer troubleshooters
Beedell Coram
Located under an antiques shop, this Apple repairer comes recommended. Ring to check opening times as they vary.
86 Commercial St, E1 (07981 559601) Liverpool St tube/rail.

Chris Essex-Hill
Does Mac repairs only. Installs soft and hardware, sets up broadband, and troubleshoots operational problems. Has a very friendly and unpatronising approach, and is happy to do evening visits.
(07956 288958).

Home Jane
Approachable IT experts will come to your home and do anything from install new software to set up a new computer, troubleshoot or simply talk you gently through emailing for the first time.
(0845 832 3639/ www.home-jane.co.uk/ email info@home-jane.co.uk).

Mac-Daddy
This excellent north-west London-based company provides to-your-door help with software crashes and internet access, printing and email problems. The Apple certified engineers will also set up your new broadband connection and install upgrades. The initial call-out fee is £35 (for Zones 1and 2, £45 for Zones 3 and 4 ), plus £45 (excluding VAT) per hour.(020 7431 2408/www.mac-daddy.co.uk).

Multi-region DVD upgrade
This innovative establishment sends you a special remote control which you use (carefully following the instructions) and return. In five minutes your system will be multi-region for £24.99.
(0845 890 8070/ www.multi-region.co.uk).

Scooter Computer
Offers an ‘at-home’ IT service, whereby you call, explain your problem and someone will come round on their scooter to fix your computer/laptop, install software, give lessons, sort out a digital camera or iPod etc. A fun and young but professional team of guys.
(www.scootercomputer.co.uk).

Dry-cleaners & launderers
Blossom & Browne’s Sycamore
If they’re good enough for the Queen, they are good enough for us. Services include ‘pet laundry’ (for their beds etc, not the pets themselves) and hypoallergenic wash for their owners, from £11 for a two-piece suit. Free delivery in London.
Blossom & Browne’s Sycamore, 73a Clarendon Rd, W11 (020 7727 2653/ www.blossomandbrowne.com) Holland Park tube.

Celebrity Cleaners
This company caters for West End theatres, so it knows how to shift make-up or sweat stains. Suits dry-cleaned for £10.90.
Celebrity Cleaners, 30 Brewer St, W1 (020 7437 5324) Piccadilly Circus tube.

Fantasy Cleaners
Its distinctive pink vans power around London picking up and dropping off packages of laundry, with deals offered for bulk jobs. Minimum order for free delivery is £15 (suits cost £12.40).
Fantasy Cleaners, 321 Kennington Rd, SE11 (020 7820 8203/ www.fantasy cleaners.com) Kennington tube.

Fresh Collection
Reliable dry-cleaning and laundry service charging £9.99 for a two-piece suit.
Fresh Collection, W1 (020 7631 0847) Great Portland St tube.

James of London
Highly recommended invisible mending service, as well as pristine dry-cleaning.
James of London, 32 Upper Tachbrook St, SW1 (020 7630 6596) Pimlico tube.

Jeeves of Belgravia
The place to take your cherished designerwear and delicates, as well as general dry-cleaning, water-damaged garments and worn-out shoes. Expensive, but top-notch quality, with free pick-up and delivery service.
Jeeves of Belgravia, 8-10 Pont St, SW1 (020 7235 1101/ www.jeevesofbelgravia.co.uk) Knightsbridge tube.

Lagoon Dry Cleaners
Bob, the in-house tailor, offers reasonable cleaning and adjustment services with excellent attention to detail.
Lagoon Dry Cleaners, Ivory House, St, Katharine’s Way, E1 (020 7488 4560) Tower Hill tube.

Lewis & Wayne
Housed in three smart shops, each handling different specialised cleaning work including bed linen, hand-finished shirts and evening gowns, this high-end company provides excellent results.
Lewis & Wayne, 7, 13, 15 Elystan St, SW3 (020 7589 5075) South Kensington tube.

Lilliman & Cox
Specialising in really tough stains and leather cleaning, plus an alteration service and cobbling.
Lilliman & Cox, 34 Bruton Place, W1 (020 7629 4555).

Master Cleaners
This skilled company uses an eco-friendly, super-gentle wash, which means it is able to treat very delicate items, antiques, vintage and costumes. Offering free collection/delivery on Tuesdays and Fridays when you spend more than £25. Repairs are undertaken by a Savile Row tailor from £12.50 a suit 189 Haverstock Hill, NW3 (020 7431 3725) Belsize Park tube.

Shirt Stream
A corporate service with local values – there is a loyalty discount for regular customers. Same-day service for orders that arrive before 9.30am. Prices are good too – a two-piece suit costs £9.95.
5-7 Pelham St, SW7 (020 7584 1524/ www.shirtstream.com) South Kensington tube.

Textile Services Association
This trade association has a network of dry-cleaners and launderers who must comply to a code of practice. Look on the website or call to find a reputable cleaner or launderer in your area. Also handles complaints made about member companies.
(020 8863 7755/ www.tsa-uk.org).

Village Klean
‘Brilliant location by the station – you just drop off your cleaning and repairs on your way to and from work. They are open early until late, and make a good job of repairs.’
Clapham Junction rail station, SW11 (020 7350 2562/ www.villageklean.co.uk).

Washington Dry Cleaners
‘A local dry-cleaners with cheap prices and cheerful service.’
18 Half Moon St, W1 (020 7499 3711) Green Park tube.

Food delivery
www.abel-cole.co.uk
Organic fruit and veg boxes, plus groceries such as wholemeal bread, Kinvara smoked salmon, Daylesford sausages, Yeo Valley yoghurts and quality pasta.

www.coolchile.co.uk
If you can’t make the trip to Taqueria to buy authentic ingredients, try here.

www.easy-wine.co.uk
Well chosen selection of diverse wines from the Archway Road shop, with many bottles at less than £8; organic choices too.

www.thefishsociety.co.uk
Ensure your diet remains healthy by having quality fish in your freezer.

www.goodnessdirect.co.uk
You can buy almost anything for a healthy lifestyle from this carefully annotated catalogue.

www.growingcommunities.org
Hackney-based initiative that grows its own food and distributes boxes locally.

www.nifeislife.com
You pick your own time slot with this van delivery company which supplies a wide variety of Italian groceries and food including excellent salumeria.

www.ocado.com
Waitrose goodies without the queues or the trolley-pushing.

www.riverford.co.uk
Fruit and veg boxes from a Devon farm. Includes recipes from its award-winning field kitchen.

www.seriously-good.co.uk
The best of Cornish cuisine: pasties, buns and scones to your door.

www.windsorfarmshop.co.uk
Even when you add on the cost for delivery, the royal farm’s prices for fresh organic meat are surprisingly reasonable.

Jewellery makers
Anna Lou of London
Despite being an established name in the fashion jewellery business, Anna Lou takes on commissions and customisation work, with prices from just a tenner.
(020 7287 6975).

Legal matters
Janson Solicitors
Specialising in family concerns, including wills, residential property work, probate, trusts and litigation.
40 Crawford St, W1 (020 7563 7900) Edgware Rd or Marylebone tube/rail.

Salter & Co
Dealing directly with one of the company’s partners, clients receive dedicated and reassuring service. Salter & Co specialises in commercial and residential property law, wills and probate.
23 Bentinck St, W1 (020 7488 8008) Bond St tube.

Mechanics & body repairs
Auto Technics
Wimbledon-based mechanics firm highly recommended for its reliable service.
5 Abbey Wall Works, Station Rd, SW19 (020 8543 1233).

Carcraft
Friendly and reliable family business which deals with crash and body repairs.
Unit 4, Station Rd, SW18 (020 8543 4278).

Cavalry
A lesser-known roadside service, Cavalry deals with tyre repairs, breakdowns and recovery for motorbikes and scooters.
(07974 260311).

FRL Goldsmiths Motor Services
Reliable and straightforward approach with honest service, based in New Cross.
71 Lewisham Way, SE14 (020 8694 1998).

Hungerford Motors
Bernie Schreiner has been in the trade for more than 38 years, and offers personable and skilled workmanship.
13 Medfield St, SW15 (020 8788 4866).

Musical instrument repairs
J Reid & Sons
Experts in restoring old or damaged pianos, and making new ones. Also a wonderful place to visit; the showroom is heaving with pristine Steinways.
184 St Ann’s Rd, N15 (020 8800 6907/ www.jreid-pianos.co.uk).

John Macrill’s Rock ’n’ Roll Centre
With 15 years of experience behind him, Johnny O’Connell can make instruments play and feel better than ever. Get your guitar, violin, cello, flute or saxophone set up or restored for a fraction of most West End prices. Standard set-ups and restringing start at £25 and all woodwind repairs are taken on by former Boosey & Hawkes restorer Pete Smith.
35 Station Rd, HA3 (020 8930 6783) Kingsbury tube.

TW Howarth & Co
Four members of expertly trained staff handle repairs of all manner of woodwind instruments, including clarinets, bassoons and oboes. They also carry out general services. Very highly regarded.
31-35 Chiltern St, W1 (020 7935 2407/ www.howarth.uk.com) Baker St tube.

Music tuition
Nathan Hewitt
A young, Camden-based Canadian who teaches beginners’ guitar and tutors for grade exams. Laidback, and patient with youngsters. Charges £25 an hour.
(07828 025108).

Nick Dover
Friendly session musician who teaches saxophone (including grade tuition) at all levels to all ages. Covers east London and charges £25 an hour.
(07970 918 121/email nicholasdover79@googlemail.com).

Personal assistant services
AQA (Any Question Answered)
Fun service that costs £1 a pop. Text a question about anything and everything and you should receive a decent response.
(Text 63336).

Life’s 2 Short
A lifestyle consultancy, which can organise flights, walk your dog and look after your spare set of keys.
(020 7371 0444/ www.lifes2short.co.uk).

Personal shoppers
The London Gift Consultancy
This company will furnish a list of friends and loved ones with carefully chosen goodies throughout the year, according to the calendar you provide them with. Lazy? Yes, but worth it to avoid the wrath of a partner on a forgotten anniversary.
(www.thelondongiftconsultancy.com).

Palette’s Vintage Finder & Styling Service
Palette London runs a finder service for customers wishing to unearth a special vintage designer piece or outfit for special events or weddings. It’s happy to help style you for any event, and has experience with celebrity clients.
21 Canonbury Lane, N1 (020 7288 7428/ www.palette-london.com).

Topshop Style Advisor
This completely free, no-obligation service can be booked online or in-store. A trained consultant helps you shop and advises you on what to buy, then you can skip the queues and have your selection giftwrapped for free.
(www.topshop.com/styleadvisor).

Wardrobe Rehab
This is a new service from a top designer alterations company. Julia Dee and her team of wardrobe wizards will visit you at home, whisk away your clothes, organise dry-cleaning and any repairs then give them a thorough pampering to ensure they are in pristine condition. They’ll even organise for any pieces you don’t want to be sold on eBay.
220a Queenstown Rd, SW8 (020 7498 4360/ www.designeralterations.com).

Repairs & alterations
Alsal Watches
A terrific family business run from a deceptively shabby little shop. Also repairs jewellery.
226 Strand, WC2 (020 7353 4195) Temple tube.

Alterations
In the secret address book of many designer boutiques for alterations, this place takes pains to find exact matches for threads and stitching.
Designer House, first floor, 18 Great Portland St, W1 (020 7323 6792) Regent’s Park tube.

British Invisible Mending Service
This small shop practises a highly skilled and hard-to-find form of invisible mending – achieved by finely extracting threads from a concealed part of the garment to reweave the damaged fabric. Results are remarkable and can be turned around in 24 hours.
32 Thayer St, W1 (020 7935 2487/ www.invisible-mending.co.uk) Bond St tube.

Designer House
Leather repairs, patching up delicate fabrics and beading, and alterations of new clothes, from as little as £8.
First floor, Great Portland St, W1 (020 7323 6872) Regent’s Park tube.

First Tailored Alterations
Traditional bespoke tailors who will work with tricky fabrics such as tweed and chiffon. Trouser hemming from £15.
85 Sloane St, SW1 (020 7730 1400) Sloane Square tube.

KS Tailoring Services
A Savile Row tailor specialising, unsurprisingly, in immaculate alterations and repair of suits and shirts.
Lower ground floor, 13 Savile Row, W1 (020 7437 9345) Piccadilly Circus tube.

Reward
Don’t be fooled by the slightly shabby surroundings, this leather company will beautifully repair any nicks or rips in your treasured jacket. Alterations are also available, from £20 for sleeve-shortening, or you can have a new jacket made to your own design from £200.
316-318 Bethnal Green Rd, E2 (020 7739 6273) Bethnal Green tube.

Stitchcraft
All manner of materials, from skins to fur to evening wear are tackled for repairs and alterations. The full price list is online.
Third floor, 7 South Molton St, W1 (020 7629 7919/ www.stitchcraftalterations.co.uk) Bond St tube.

Specialist services
Cashmere clinic
You can no longer visit the clinic in person, but you can send in your most delicate or damaged cashmere, and have them returned in immaculate condition by post. Moth hole repairs cost £15, basic cleaning £20.
Flat 5, Redcliffe Gardens, SW10 (020 7584 9806).

Chalfont Dyers & Cleaners
If you have a garment you’d prefer in a different colour, take it here and they’ll do the rest. Fabrics must be natural (cotton, linen, silk etc). Prices from £40. Chalfont can also deal with colour runs.
222 Baker St, NW1 (020 7935 7316) Baker St tube.

Hand & Lock
The best when it comes to bespoke embroidery. Responsible for everything from the military wear in the film ‘The Last King of Scotland’ to the outfits of the royal family.
86 Margaret St, W1 (020 7580 7488/ www.hand-embroidery.co.uk) Oxford Circus tube.

Peter & Falla
Specialised cleaner of leather, suede and sheepskin. Prices start from £39.50 for a leather jacket.
281 New King’s Rd, SW6 (020 7731 3255) Parsons Green tube.

Tailors
Bodymetrics@Harrods
With the aid of a futuristic body scanner, jeans are made to order here. Plus exclusive designs by Vivienne Westwood and a customisation service for premium jeans.
87-135 Brompton Rd, SW1 (020 7730 1234/ www.bodymetrics.com) Knightsbridge tube.

George’s Tailors
Sharp suiting with a distinctly mod feel, made to order for around £500.
50 Wightman Rd, N4 (020 8341 3614) Harringay rail.

Jonathan Quearney
Classically trained, friendly young tailor with a sharp contemporary style. Great prices for bespoke: from £125 for a shirt.
7 Windmill St, W1(020 7631 5132) Goodge St tube.

Nick Tentis
English tailoring with an Italian twist.
(020 7355 3399/ www.nicktentis.com).