The Great Independent Businesses of Nottingham

Recently I came across a sign on an Instagram picture that said "Nottingham has more independent businesses than any other city in the UK, outside London". This Instagram post had been reposted by many of my friends but originated from a post made by Cafe Sobar, which according to there site is "a social enterprise run by local drug and alcohol recovery charity, Double Impact, to help support their vital work with people whose lives have been devastated by addiction" (find them here)

I will say that I Googled first to fact check this information and found a couple of articles stating Nottingham is in fact 8th in the UK and 4th in England, but this was skewed against how many large chains there were present. Altogether none of this information surprised as, having lived here for coming onto 4 years, it is easy to see that there are a lot of businesses in this city compared to others I've lived in. It also shouldn't take away from the fact that Nottingham still holds a lot of independent stores that people should come and visit, obviously when it is safe to do so.

When it comes to Christmas...

It can always be a pain trying to find the perfect gift for that special someone, and this year there has been a lot more people turning to independent businesses in this vital time of need. This still remains true throughout Nottingham.

So, I wanted to compile a list of independent shops that I've visited in the city. From tea to Doughnuts, there is always something in the city that you should definitely try out this Christmas, or after!

1. Bird & Blend Tea Co. (find them here)

Although it started in Brighton, it is still very present as a Nottingham independent. It started in 2018 and has rapidly grown into a reputable, award-winning tea mixology company.

Upon my visit it felt very similar to the general look of Whittards, yet it felt a lot more personal and friendly. Unlike the normal retail experience, you'd get from large chains, the people who work at the Nottingham branch were so friendly and helped explain all the different teas that they had on offer. From time to time I have constantly returned to try out and purchase a variety of different teas, as well as sampling the different assortments they'd have out (who doesn't love a free sample)!

A huge bonus would be the experience my fiance had. Now, he isn't a massive fan of tea, and finds my enthusiasm for it rather bizarre. Yet, after visiting one time with me, he thought it was great - they helped him understand what tea I might like, as well as offering him (a coffee lover) something he would enjoy too. All you tea lovers definitely check these guys out.

2. Doughnotts (find them here)

I'm definitely going to be hungry after writing about this one. So, when it comes to Doughnotts, its exactly what you'd expect, they make doughnuts. However, as they say on their site, these doughnuts "are handmade, coming rough and ready with all manner of mouth-watering toppings. We’ve even got vegan doughnuts, because we’ve got your backs, you vegan champs".

Boy are they not wrong about mouth-watering. I have tried so many of their doughnuts in my life, made easy by their regular visits to the office I work in (a popular day for all involved). These delicious rings of dough are huge for one, and super filling, with the most bizarre yet saliva-inducing flavours I've ever seen.

For loves of pastry and sweet chocolaty goodness you need to find them time to try these out. You might want to get there early as its been known for the lines to end up down the street. Yes, they're that popular.

3. 200 Degrees Coffee (find them here)

So, you're all Christmas shopped out and looking for a good place to chill out and grab a coffee? Thats where 200 Degrees Coffee comes in. These rustic yet quaint cafes are the perfect place to grab a good warm coffee and collect yourself during the busy Christmas rush.

Whether it was with my fiance, or on my own, I've found myself in one of the two Nottingham locations from time to time. Despite not being a coffee drinker myself, I get it on good authority (my fiance) that the coffee tastes great. As for atmosphere, as a lover of being cosy and comfortable, the cafes are the perfect place to wind down and get warm.

They also do Barista schools, which is a thing I have only now discovered while writing this out!

4. Delilah Fine Foods (find them here)

Finally, for the food connoisseur out there, you have to check out the quaint deli all that is Delilah Fine Foods. As they say, "we are a (fiercely) independent fine food and wine merchant, housed in a beautiful former banking hall in the heart of the city".

I was overwhelmed on my first visit to this great shop. The walls are quite literally lined with a number of weird and wonderful products that will have you eagerly browsing the shelves for something new to fill the pantry.

There also happens to be a small cafe inside to get a good taste of all the foods they have to offer.

Visit Nottingham and Shop Independent!

If there is one thing I'd want you to take away from this small yet great list of independents is to give them a try. Not every Christmas present needs to be bought from a large chain, especially in times like we're currently living, these small businesses could benefit from your custom, while offering a great experience.

Once all the madness has calmed down, I would thoroughly recommend visiting Nottingham and exploring the many small businesses that there are to offer.