Fed up with faceless chain retailers? Rather support local, independent businesses for your festive goodies? No problem. There's more on your doorstep than you might think. Here's Rebecca Welton's pick of Southampton's indies. Stop press: Tiger Yard, a not-for-profit three-week pop-up shop is now open at 108 East Street SO14 3HD
(Tues-Sun 10-5) offering fair trade products & an array of other original goodies for the festive season...
Fed up with clone Britain? From Brighton to Bradford, we have almost identical shops in our towns and cities, with the same branding, selling the same goods, and with the same sole aim of profit-maximisation. But communities are fighting back. Independent shops offering environmentally friendly, ethical and locally made products and services are becoming more commonplace, and can often keep their prices low. Here in Southampton, we have a fantastic array of local stores that are individual and friendly – and by supporting our local traders we're supporting our local communities, and our local economy.
So is it possible to get what you want for Christmas without shopping at the big chain stores? We went to investigate around Southampton, and found a surprising and colourful variety of local independents where you could perhaps buy everything you need – from turkeys and trimmings, to stocking fillers and gifts for all the family:
Food
Garson’s Butcher
Garson's at Bitterne Park Triangle offers a huge variety of Christmas meats, sourced locally. From turkey, goose and duck, to ribs of beef, gammon joints, pigs in blankets, vegetarian sausages, game pies, meat hampers and their infamous Turkey Royals (a three-bird roast), Garson’s has all the meat you’ll need this Christmas.
They say: “We are taking orders now, but we always make sure we have stock on Christmas Eve for last-minute shoppers, and we never let anyone go away without meat for Christmas.”
Pick up in-store, or use their free local van delivery service.
19 Manor Farm Road, Bitterne Park, SO18 1NN
Pictured: Gary Wright
Veg Shed
For fruit and veg don’t forget pop up greengrocer The Veg Shed in Bitterne Park, near the clock tower on alternate Saturdays from 9am-12pm. Not only are fresh fruit, veg and other goodies like coffee on offer, but other Triangle traders report the positive effect Veg Shed days have on their own trade as more people are encouraged to shop locally.
Advertised dates until Christmas are:
Sat 15th Nov 9am-12pm
Sat 29th Nov 9am-12pm
Sat 13th Dec 9am-12pm
Sat 20th Dec 9am-12pm
Longs
Meanwhile selling locally produced fruit and veg in Portswood, including all the Christmas favourites, from carrots and parsnips, to oranges and nuts, why not use Longs rather than a supermarket?
They say: "For the best quality on Christmas Day, buy your veg on the 23rd or 24th of December."
Longs will be open all day on the 23 Dec, and from 9am to 3pm on Christmas Eve.
Pictured: Andy Jackson stacking veg
217 Portswood Road, SO17 2NF
Rice Up Wholefoods
Rice Up is a co-operative store that aims to provide affordable, healthy, ethical food for all, including vegans, vegetarians, and food allergy and intolerance sufferers.
They offer a huge range of local, organic, ethical and environmentally-friendly food and products, including grains, fruits, nuts, seeds, rice, pasta, seasonings, meat-free burgers, sausages, pies and mince, dairy-free ice cream, organic sauces and locally baked bread.
If you're looking for treats this Christmas, Rice Up Wholefoods will be selling gluten-free mince pies and cakes, all baked on the premises. They also do gift hampers, which are either pre-made, or you can build your own.
20 Hanover Buildings, SO14 1JH
Drinks
Butcher's Hook micro pub
You can even buy Christmas beverages from local suppliers: The Butcher's Hook at Bitterne Park Triange offers carry-outs oc their draught beers, which have a two-day shelf life, plus bottled beer and ciders. On the gift front you'll also find on sale views of Southampton by local artist Nina Fraser (pictured above), from £4 to £145, and postcards by Ann MacGillivray from 60p.
They recommend: “ABT 12 at £4.40 a bottle, or the Pater 6 at £3.80.”
7 Manor Farm Road, SO18 1NN
Bitter Virtue
In Portswood, long established Bitter Virtue can probably solve many of your beverage needs from a choice of some 600 brands, including a wide range of local beers and ciders, from £2 to £30 per bottle.
They say: "The Pickled Santa is a great spicy Christmas beer at £2.50 a bottle, and Nutz, brewed in Droxford, is made with organic chestnuts, and costs £2.40."
70 Cambridge Road, SO14 6US
Gifts
October Books
October Books is an independent co-operative shop selling Christmas cards, diaries, calendars, and books for all interests and ages. You'll also find a range of organic and Fairtrade goods, from nuts and chocolate to stuffing mix, jams and oatcakes.
October Books provides a Christmas list service, along with national and in-store book tokens.
Recommendation: "The new autobiography by Stephen Fry is a popular present, plus we have some great Christmas books for kids."
243 Portswood Road, SO17 2NG
Pictured: Paula Tanti and Laura Coleman
Il Picchio
A popular coffee shop in Bitterne Park that sells local art by Hampton Park Art Workshop, honey and sauces. And they'll be offering their Christmas hampers again this year, ranging in price from £25 to £60.
33 Manor Farm Road, SO18 1NN
The Sweet Bar
This candy shop heaven sells a delicious variety of sweets and treats – perfect for stocking fillers or gifts. Individual jars can be made up to a price of your choosing, with Christmas orders being taken now.
They say: "Order early as we do run out of popular sweets."
174 Portswood Road, SO17 2NJ
Portswood Cycles
Temped to try a new sport, take up a new hobby or simply want to ditch the car or bus? Cycling is not only good for your health, but whizzing round on two wheels is great fun. Entry-level bikes start from £140, with electric bikes starting at £799, available with 0% interest over two years.
3 St Denys Road, SO17 2GN
Pictured: Phil Ball
Wooden It Be Lovely
This Woolston store stocks beautiful wooden and traditional children's toys, for small people from birth to age eight. It's been in Lia Ball's family for four generations, and has recently also opened a retro boutique in the back, selling 1940s and 50s-inspired clothing for women and men. Local, hand-made jewellery is also available, as well as Christmas decorations and stocking-fillers – from just 20p!
82 Bridge Road, Woolston, SO19 7GQ
City Photographic
Cameras, accessories, a print lab and a studio – this shop has everything for your photographic needs! Cameras from £45 up to £1500 are on offer, including the popular GoPro action cameras that fix on to helmets, bikes and skateboards.
Thinking of a professional family photo for Christmas? There is a photography studio upstairs which offers family portraits, starting from £59 including prints. Or why not pick up a frame, order some enlargements, and create your own gift?
36 Bedford Place, SO15 2DG
Music-X-Change
Budding musician in the family? No problem, Music-X-Change sells new and second-hand, electric and acoustic guitars, from £40 up to £400, as well as various accessories.
30 Addis Square, Portswood Road, SO17 2NE
Who Made Your Pants
Ever wonder who made your pants? Or where, and how they got here, and how far they travelled? Who Made Your Pants is a campaigning co-operative lingerie brand with a Southampton factory selling online around the world. Founder Becky John even recently won a Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award and £10,000 to invest in developing the business. For ethical lingerie that looks and feels great visit the shop online here – and if you’re not sure what to get as a present, they also do gift vouchers.
The Ink Factory
Looking for something completely different? How about giving a tattoo as a present this Christmas? This recently opened parlour at Bitterne Park Triangle offers vouchers at various price points, for a gift to really remember!
7 Cobden Avenue, Bitterne Park Triangle, SO18 1FZ
Photographed Danny Thorne tattoos Justin Nailer
Bitterne Parker T-shirts
And finally, why not give the gift of a t-shirt to the Bitterne Parker in your life? It would be madness not to! What's more, t-shirts help keep bitternepark.info up and running: brilliant. Still just £10 each. Order online here
But don't hang about – stocks are limited.(If we don't list or currently have in stock the size you need please email to find out if further stock is on its way)
Words and photos by Rebecca Welton
Stop press: Tiger Yard, a not-for-profit three-week pop-up shop is now open at 108 East Street SO14 3HD
(Tues-Sun 10-5) offering fair trade products & an array of other original goodies for the festive season...