Marks and Spencer (Marble Arch branch)

This chain of shops was, for many of us of modest means, the place where we disposed of the chore of clothes shopping. Alas most of the London branches of M & S have succumbed to the curse of piped music. A member of staff at this branch was horrified to hear that things had got so bad elsewhere but assured me that five flagship branches were music-free. These branches are also better staffed, with people available specifically to help customers.

My visit was for a jacket and trousers to cope with a sartorial emergency. Within five minutes, a cheerful committee was working on me; rejecting my first choice of jacket as too sombre, another as not quite fitting, then disappearing and returning with a few pleasant twill shirts in my size (apparently, I risked being in breach of some important rules of colour-combination). Tip top service.