Independent shops to keep on your radar
With a number of non-essential shops opening their doors, we’re putting the spotlight on some of the amazing independent stores across the UK to support and keep on your radar.
LIFESTORY
Inspired by Scandinavian minimalism, Lifestory hosts a range of lifestyle products from across the globe. Founded by Susan Doherty, Lifestory seeks to bring that perfect combination of lifestyle store and coffee bar to Edinburgh. Its shelves display everything from ceramics to cushions, from unisex fragrance to children’s toys, from jewellery to design magazines.
Although their store is still currently closed, it hopes to open soon. In the meantime, everything is available through their website.
LOWIE
Fighting against fast fashion, sustainable womenswear brand Lowie blends traditional techniques and heritage elements in a modern way.
The brand’s two stores are based in Herne Hill and Crystal Palace and stock a great and exciting selection of brands and products in addition to their own range.
INSIDESTORE
Designing a range of modern furniture, lighting, homeware and lifestyle accessories, Insidestore has concept stores in Tufnell Park and Kentish Town, London.
Insidestore believes homes should be designed to be lived in and loved in equal measures, creating stylish, minimalistic pieces with a playful personality.
AYTEN GASSON
Launched in 2005, Ayten Gasson creates luxurious, ethically manufactured lingerie. Designer Ayten Roberts is dedicated to supporting local companies and upcycling vintage materials, such as Nottingham lace, creating everything by hand.
Ayten Gasson’s Brighton boutique opened in 2016 with the studio on the shop floor, allowing customers to see the pieces being made. The Brighton store is currently open by appointment only.
ALKEMI STORE
Showcasing independent brands from across the world, Alkemi hosts a range of lifestyle products; homeware, clothing, childrenswear, kitchen, bathroom, and dining utensils. The brand focuses on providing beautiful, but functional objects to elevate the customers’ everyday life.
Alkemi also works with local artists, introducing and selling their work in its Nunhead store, which is now open again.
IDAHO
Lifestyle brand IDAHO offers a range of products from independent brands; jewellery, stationery, gifts, books, apothecary, and homeware, available online and in its Altrincham, Manchester store.
IDAHO believes every piece is something special and will make your home, office, and wardrobes feel a little more inspiring.
ARK COLOUR DESIGN
Founded in 2015 by Jane Richards and Amy Lindsay, Cambridge-based Ark Colour Design stocks fun, affordable, and well-crafted gifts. Drawing from their backgrounds in fashion and fine art, they design the products in Cambridge, which are then made by a small family-run manufacturer in Scotland.
Ark Colour Design supplies over two hundred retailers, including Liberty and the V&A with its designs.
PRICK
Prick, London’s first boutique dedicated to cacti and succulents, was founded by Gynelle Leon; a photographer who became obsessed with cacti after she visited Marrakesh in 2011. Prick offers a selection of unusual and exotic plants sourced from across the UK and Europe.
Prick prides itself on its enjoyable shopping experience. Although the Hackney store is currently closed, they hope to open soon.
D.A.Y
Run by sisters, Disha, Apee, and Yukti, D.A.Y is a Scandi inspired fashion store, stocking women’s, men’s, and children’s brands and products.
They support the local community by stocking independent designers in Peckham and South East London, as well as international labels.
D.A.Y recently reopened its door to its Peckham-based store.
SANCHOS
Founders Kalkidan and Vidmantas saw the effects of the fast fashion industry first hand when they visited developing countries. Returning from their trip, they knew they had to make a difference. They set up Sancho’s, a transparent and sustainable clothing and lifestyle brand for men and women, aiming to create a community of like-minded individuals that want to know the truth behind their clothing and the effect it has on the planet.
Their two clothing and lifestyle shops are based in Exeter, Devon.
GENTLY
With a love for great and high-quality kids stuff, Gently is an independent children's store where you can shop everything from clothes and shoes to toys and books.
Currently only available online Gently has a number of stores across London; Brockley, Crofton Park, Ladywell and Harefield.
DOWSE
Founder Susannah Dowse is committed to creating jewellery and lifestyle products that have been made with care and consideration, believing that beauty in an object comes from how it is made.
The Brighton store showcases the Dowse range alongside other independent businesses and designers.
Currently, the store is closed, but it hopes to reopen soon.
LIFT
Based on the Suffolk coast in Southwold, Lift is an independent home accessory and lifestyle store offering bold, bright, and uplifting products. It is devoted to sourcing and creating well-designed, functional items for you and your home.
As well as offering its own products, Lift shop offers a range of other brands, so you will always find something new and exciting instore.
DAR LEONE
Inspired by Sierra Leonean-American founder Isatu Funna’s travels around the world, London based boutique and design studio Dar Leone create and curate globally inspired pieces. The carefully chosen collections of unique everyday items range from jewellery and bags to cushions and interiors objects.
Previously based in Clerkenwel, the boutique is currently moving location and from the end of June, you’ll be able to view and shop Dar Leone’s products in their new shop in Islington.
RUSKIN
Family run business Ruskin has stories in Whitstable and Margate, which provides inspiration for its men and women’s clothing. The brand prides itself on working with new and emerging brands, especially those who share its value of provenance and sustainability
Both the Whitstable and Margate stores are open, creating a friendly and welcoming environment for you and your four-legged friends.
STRAW
STRAW has a collection of vintage straw, wicker, and crochet items along with other homeware products. Every vintage item is unique and comes with its own story.
The East London-based store is temporarily closed but the online shop is open as usual.
BEIJA LONDON
Lingerie and swimwear brand Beija London believes your cup size shouldn’t dictate how you shop for lingerie. The brand offers three unique sizing categories (X, Y, and Z), fitting a range of sizes with style and varying levels of support depending on what you like.
Founders Abbie Miranda and Mazie grew up in the family lingerie manufacturing business, so know everything there is to know about underwear.
FORM SHOP & STUDIO
Supporting local creatives, Hull-based Form offers affordable art prints, cards, and stationery. Founded in 2016 by Joseph Cox and Alice Thomson, Form enjoys discovering and displaying up-and-coming artists, designers, and illustrators' work.
Form’s shop recently opened its doors again and the new opening times are Wednesdays and from Friday to Sunday.
WORKSHOP
Sharing its passion for things created with a simple approach to design and functionality, Workshop value form, function, place, and purpose, and select goods from around the world that complement its values and design aesthetic.
Using sturdy materials and craftsmanship, Workshop offers fashion and lifestyle products that stand the test of time.
The Brighton store is currently open Weds-Sun and the online shop is open as usual.
COLLECTION & CO
Creating sustainable footwear without compromising the stylish aesthetic, Collection & Co shoes are designed in the UK and sold worldwide. Reusing materials that would have gone to landfill, the brand completely replaces the need for leather. The production is also ethical, supporting a family-run factory in Greece to make limited quantities.
The sustainable concept store in Bristol is currently closed but hopes to reopen soon.
TRAPEZE KIDS
Showcasing playful and ethically responsible brands, Trapeze Kids stocks a carefully curated selection of clothing, toys, books, interiors, skincare, and gifts from brands that match their ethos.
A majority of the collections are unisex, giving the kids the opportunity to dress and play without the traditional constraints of gender stereotypes.
Trapeze Kids have recently reopened their Sheffield store.
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