Open for business! Some of our favourite small businesses to shop and support
After months of uncertainty, it’s brilliant to see, retail shops, cafes, pubs and businesses opening to the public today. I met a friend for outdoor coffee this morning and the local high street felt alive once more. While I’m not planning a wild spending spree, I will be doing my bit to support local business by checking out what’s new on the rails at a couple of boutiques, nearby. I do still love to touch, see and try clothes on before buying – don’t you?
To celebrate the re-opening of ‘non-essential’ retail today I wanted to give a shout out to some of That’s Not My Age’s favourite small female-led fashion, homeware, art, book and accessory businesses. The way we shop changed dramatically over the last year and so these are a mixture of bricks and mortar and online retailers. When you purchase from a small business you’re actively supporting the communities they employ and each transaction is a vote for a more exciting and diverse marketplace where your money goes further. Many small creative labels in the UK are founded by women – who together make a huge contribution to the UK economy. Plus, you’re much more likely to leave or checkout with a unique purchase that has a story behind it.
Click through to the seller’s websites using the directory at the bottom of this feature – and don’t forget to bookmark this page for future inspiration:
Shopping directory:
Badgers Velvet – webshop
Bookbar – shop in Islington, North London and webshop
Doe leather – webshop
Drift jewellery – webshop
The Hambledon – store in Winchester and webshop
Heti’s Colours – webshop and available at Liberty and Fortnum and Mason
Jam Jar Flowers – studio and webshop
Jo Gordon – webshop and available on Trouva and at various boutiques across the UK and Europe.
Kate Jones Knitwear – webshop and also available at Werkhaus Margate
Kate Sheridan – webshop and shop in Clapton, East London – also available at Toast, Atterley, Trouva and Hubshop
Kemi Telford – webshop and soon available in John Lewis & Partners
Laslett England – webshop and available at Flot & Jetsam and The Garden Museum.
Lavender Hill – webshop and Atterley
M Hulot – webshop and available at Young British Designers
Menage Modern Vintage – webshop – though get in touch with owner Chiara about appointments
Mimi Berry – webshop and shop (by appointment) in Clapton, East London. Also available at Trouva.
Molesworth and Bird – webshop and shops in Lyme Regis and Lanhydrock
Precious Boutique – two shops in London, Columbia Road and Spitalfields. And webshop.
Plumo – webshop
Quinton Chadwick – webshop and available at various boutiques across the UK.
Sarah O’Keefe – webshop
The Sevenoaks bookshop – shop in Sevenoaks and webshop
Werkhaus Margate – shop in Margate and webshop
Young British Designers – webshop
Know any other brilliant brands? Please do give a shout out to your favourite small shops and businesses (we’re hoping to relaunch Boutique of the Week again soon) in the comments section below.
What a wonderful selection. I’m going to bookmark this for future reference. May I suggest a business owned by a wonderful friend of mine? Christine Cellier Clarke set up Cocoon Therapies a few years ago. She buys premium argan oil from women’s co-operatives in Morocco and adds essential oils to produce gorgeous skin products. Have a look here https://www.cocoontherapies.co.uk/. Christine is an inspiring woman who is all about empowering other women and sourcing ethical and authentic products. Christine relocated to her native France with her family recently but still supplies to British outlets and can post individual orders.