I saw someone mention Smith and Low(a great local hardware merchant) as being a bit like a tardis, well Powell’s is the same. It doesn’t look like much from Cowley Road but when you go in, there is a full-blown timber merchant with a large shop selling tools, ironmongery etc. They have a full wood machining workshop so can cut and plane to size and the prices are really good. The service is excellent too, this palce must be run very well. Don’t go to a chain, this place is well worth checking out.