Google Plus Local is the new name of Google Places, and it will also be merged with another Google function, the restaurant rating service Zagat. So now if you search for Google Places, you will be taken to Google Plus Local instead.

Once you reach the main page the instructions are quite straightforward. You will be invited to explore it, and if you click on the 'Explore Google +' button you should get to some places near you, eg pubs and restaurants in your nearest town. These are also subdivided (for example, into Italian restaurants, department stores or whatever). To find something specific, type a term into the search box at the top of the page to the left (for example, 'pharmacy' 'school bus' or whatever you are looking for) and any services in that area will come up. To change the area, type a different town or region into the right-hand search box.