Alan Wadkins Ltd Toolstore

Alan Wadkins Ltd Toolstore: hand tools, power tools and garden equipment in Darlington

Alan Wadkins Ltd Toolstore is a tool retailer based in Darlington, County Durham, with a product range spanning hand tools, power tools, garden machinery, workwear and workshop equipment. The company presents itself as a specialist in these categories and operates a physical store that it describes as one of the largest walk-around, hands-on tool shops in the North of England, with on-site customer parking.

The business traces its origins to 1958, when Alan worked as an aircraft fitter in Luton and sold tools and equipment from a wheelbarrow in his spare time. He moved on to a market stall and later that year opened a first shop supplying mainly Government surplus tools and equipment. In 1962 the operation moved to Darlington, taking premises in Clifton Road. In 2009 the Darlington site relocated to Chesnut Street, where it remains; the current premises are described as three times larger than the previous location.

Product range

The catalogue is organised into several broad departments. The hand tools section covers items such as axes, chisels and punches, clamps, files, hand saws, hammers and mauls, hex key sets, knives and blades, laser levels, marking equipment, moisture meters, pliers, snips and bolt cutters, pry bars, pullers, ratchets, screwdrivers, shovels, spades and forks, spanners, spirit levels, tape measures, toolbags and toolboxes, torches, torque wrenches, trowels and wrenches.

Power tools include angle drills and grinders, bandsaws, biscuit jointers, caulking guns, circular saws, cordless drills and machines, cut-off saws, diamond core drills, die grinders, domino joiners, dust extractors, electric drills and planers, impact drills, drivers and wrenches, jigsaws, mag drills, mitre saws, multi-tools, nailers, nibblers, paddle mixers, polishers, reciprocating saws, riveters, routers, sanders, SDS drills and breakers, table saws, thicknessers and wall chasers.

Machinery lines include axle stands, battery chargers and starters, bench grinders, blowers and shredders, bottle jacks, chainsaws, compressors, petrol, electric and cordless garden machinery, cut-off saws, generators, strimmers and brushcutters, hedge trimmers, inverter plasma cutters, kombi engines and attachments, lawn mowers, lawn rakers and scarifiers, pole pruners, pressure washers, space heaters, submersible and water pumps, trolley jacks, welders, wet and dry vacuum cleaners, plate compactors, trash pumps, wood chippers and tillers.

Workwear and PPE form a separate area, with chainsaw protection, heated jackets, industrial workwear, safety boots and shoes, and tool belt systems and toolbags. The site also lists a steel erectors category.

Brands and accessories

The store stocks products from a long list of brands, including Makita, Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Festool, Stihl, Draper, Sealey, Bahco, Beta Tools, Bondhus, Bessey, Irwin, Estwing, Roughneck, Spear & Jackson, Stabila, Starrett, Trend, Werner, Portwest, Scruffs, Dickies, Hozelock, Gardena, Flymo, Hyundai, Oregon, Rothenberger, Wiha, Wera, Zippo and many others. Accessories cover drill bits, saw blades, cutting discs, screwdriver bits, nail gun nails, screws, oils and lubricants, sharpening tools, padlocks and chains, carbon brushes, planer blades, sockets and socket sets, chainsaw accessories, pressure washer accessories, diamond cores, tile drill bits, routing accessories, trailer fittings, trimmer lines and mowing heads, and welding equipment.

The Darlington store

The Chesnut Street premises are presented as a walk-around store rather than a warehouse, staffed by a team that the company says is knowledgeable and long-serving. The site notes that most staff have been with the company for many years. On-site parking is available for customers.

Online orders are fulfilled with free UK delivery on orders over £75. The company states that it does not take orders over the telephone. The website allows customers to switch between VAT-inclusive and VAT-exclusive pricing and to view prices in GBP, EUR or USD.

Company details

Alan Wadkins Ltd is registered in England, with its registered office at Chesnut Street, Darlington, County Durham, DL1 1QL. The company registration number is 870458 and the VAT number is 258423352.