John Hollingsworth & Son

If you thought that cultured smoking had been condemned to the annals of historic, a relic of a bygone era, then John Hollingsworth’s is out to prove you wrong. I’m not a smoker, nor have I ever been, but I still love visiting the shop just because so much of what they have is extremely hard to find anywhere else, and all of it is extremely cool. As well as doing all the various smoking paraphernalia, as you’d expect, including pipes and chewing tobacco, they have a wide range of items that you don’t have to be a smoker to enjoy, including a great range of branded Zippo lighters, with everything on them from The Beatles to the Black Eyed Peas, hip flasks, pens, Swiss Army knives, and great old fashioned shaving kits that you only ever really see in traditional barbers. Highly recommended, even if it is just to have a nosey around.

Have you noticed that smoking habits change from region to region? When I was in Durham I noticed there was a penchant for the Regal brand whereas in parts of West London Camels are all the rage. In the South-​West everyone, it seems, roll their own. As a result it might be hard to get the brand that you usually smoke as a visitor in a town, as supply reflects demand.
If you happen to find yourself in Solihull, you can rest assured that this shop will stock what you smoke. For a special occasion you might want to try one of the many cigars that they have to suit all budgets. Hand-​rolling tobacco comes in different flavours and is sold by weight. Try cherry or vanilla for a sweet smoke. A wide range of smoking paraphernalia is also available like filter tips, cardboard tips, cigar cutters, and gift lighters. Smokin’!

I went in this shop looking for ideas for a Fathers Day gift for my Dad. I was browsing in here for quite a while wondering whether or not to purchase some sort of smoking paraphernalia as my dad enjoys the occasional cigar.
In addition to selling pipes, tobacco, cigarettes and cigars they also stock a range of shaving kits, silver tankards, cuff links, walking sticks and lighters.
There were two middle aged ladies behind the counter chatting away. I was never once acknowledged by them not even when I was looking at the display of various tobacco products behind them did they even ask if I needed any help. The shop was empty apart from myself and one gentleman so it’s not as if they were rushed off their feet with a big queue. Admittedly I’m not their typical customer who knows the difference between the various flavours and blends of tobacco.
If you know the difference between a Romeo Y Julieta and a Hamlet or Irish Oak and Old Dublin then you’ll love this shop. If you just want a packet of fags and a disposable lighter you might as well stick to your local corner shop or covenience store.