It’s the return of LeftLion’s annual gift guide, in collaboration with Independent Nottingham, brought to you by Nottingham BID. Our city has so many brilliant independent businesses selling thoughtful, locally-sourced gifts… Read on to discover what magical finds could soon be under your tree. leftlion.co.uk/issue142
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Behind The Red Door
11 Weekday Cross, NG1 2GB
18 St.
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Shop Profile: Mica from Behind The Red Door It was our ninth birthday this November, so we’re nine years in the making. The Art File has been going for over twenty years now though, they’re the greeting cards company that bought this building. They decided to use the downstairs space to showcase their cards, and the shop led on from there, growing over time to include gifts. I’ve been here for six years now. Before this, I worked in a small shop in Bingham. I used to work with the sister of the owner here, so I found out about this store through word of mouth. I’d never visited Behind The Red Door before, but as soon as I came in I knew it was for me. I like working in an
leftlion.co.uk/issue142
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Tucked away in the historic Lace Market, Behind the Red Door sells contemporary gifts ranging from accessories to stationery. With greeting cards and gift wrap designed in house, a trip here can meet all your wrapping needs.
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independent store because it feels so much more personal than mainstream retail. My favourite part is doing all the displays, and chatting to customers. I love seeing people’s reactions when they first come into the shop. Lots of people say it’s like Aladdin’s Cave. I never thought retail would be for me, but I love working here. We’re lucky to be in this part of town because it has a nice vibe to it. Obviously, a lot of independents are in Hockley, but it’s worth making the trip down to the Lace Market. This area is great, and it has a lot of history. This street, this alleyway, this building, all so full of history. Coming up to Christmas, the shop is full. We have all our Christmas cards, gifts, trees, and decorations, all ready to go to their new homes. I like this time of year because people tend to be in a good mood when they’re shopping for presents. I do my Christmas shopping here too. Even as we’re buying stock, I’m eyeing things up.
Gift Idea: Miss Sparrow Scarf - £20 A warm and cosy Miss Sparrow scarf. Perfect for that mandatory boxing day walk.
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K.Fines Jewellery
21 Pelham Street, NG1 2ED
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kfines.com
Known for their personalised customer service, K.Fines pride themselves on their regular shopping evenings, providing a space for customers to try on jewels and drink fizz. Stocking established and independent brands, the shop has lots to choose from this Christmas. Shop Profile: Katie from K.Fines Jewellery After years of working in high end fashion I found my calling in jewels. I managed a jewellery store for a number of years, being involved from seeded design through to creating the final piece. After they ceased to trade I created Keishi which then branched out to K.Fines Jewellery in 2018. Everyday is different here. I adore catching up with my incredible team first thing and talking through any special requests from customers. Bespoke appointments get me every time though - creating that special one-off piece for someone is the ultimate. That and wedding jewellery, people
that are getting married are genuinely so happy and that’s infectious. Finding that perfect piece for a client is the best feeling. I love all our jewellery but my current favourite is our bespoke signet ring collection. We’re seeing family members personalising pieces with family crests, initials, cute drawings by their little ones and set with birthstones. I love that these pieces will eventually become family heirlooms, that’s special. I’m looking forward to Christmas. Christmas is where it happens for us. There’s a constant buzz in store with clients searching for the perfect gift. I love jewellery, I love how it makes you feel, how it elevates an outfit and how those finishing touches can separate you from the crowd by giving you your own identity. We look forward to our annual champagne and shopping evenings which for us mark the start of the festive period.
Gift Idea: Rachel Jackson Deco Moon Necklace - £50 A gold moon necklace to add warmth to any outfit. Symbolic of a bright future, this is ideal for the new year.
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Braderie
Sourcing clothing from all arou nd the world, Braderie is a vintage shop located on Pelham Street. Stocked with cosy jumpers, an array of fleeces, and high quality vintage jackets, there’s no need to be cold this winter. Gift Idea: Vintage Sweatshirt - Range of
Prices
19-21 Pelham St, NG1 2ED
Forget trawling through Dep op for that perfect vintage sweatshirt. Brad erie is one of the best places to go.
Hopkinson
at Cobden
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Wild Clothing
4-6 Broad Street, NG1 3AL
5 Cobd Pelham en Chambers, Street, N G1 2ED cobdenp lace.co.u
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wildclothing.co.uk
Stocking vintage European and American clothing, alongside contemporary brands like Dickies and Run & Fly, Wild has become a landmark shop in Nottingham’s vintage scene. Clothes, bags, footwear, vinyl records, hats… Wild has it all. Shop Profile: Shaun from Wild I took over Wild in August 2020. I’m from Derby originally, and I had a very small vintage clothing shop there. The shop was doing ok but it was in the west end of town where all the students were, rather than the town centre. When they went home it was so quiet because there was no passing trade. I found a shop in Derby city centre but was struggling to negotiate with the landlord.
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Then I came into Wild one day and started moaning to the previous owner Robin, who I’ve known a long time. He told me that he was retiring soon and asked if I wanted to buy this shop. I made up my mind on the spot. leftlion.co.uk/issue142
braderie.co.uk
I was meant to take over in June 2020 but shops were only just starting to reopen after the first lockdown. I was adamant that I still wanted the shop but I didn’t want to open up coming out of a lockdown, so we pushed it back a couple of months. Things were difficult; last December was a disappointing one, but since April this year it’s been absolutely manic. Vintage clothing is something I’ve always loved. I really like the stuff we’ve been getting at the minute, sixties leather jackets and seventies suede jackets. I love looking for vintage denim too. Proper old vintage denim doesn’t turn up very often but I’ve always got my eyes open. There are lots of reasons why people buy second hand. I started buying it because I was into American fifties and sixties fashion. A lot of it’s down to wanting to dress uniquely, but also the sustainability behind it as well. There used to be a stigma around buying second hand and vintage but that just doesn’t exist anymore. People don’t bat an eyelid.
Gift Idea: Official Band T - £19.95 Whether you’re after a classic or current artist, Wild is packed with band merchandise.
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Shop Zero
42a Friar Lane, NG1 6DQ
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shopzero.co.uk
Empowering people to live a more eco-friendly life, Shop Zero offers plastic free refills and sustainable homeware items. Doing all the research for the customer, Shop Zero is helping Nottingham make earth friendly choices. Shop Profile: Sarah from Shop Zero I was brought up in Edwinstowe by a mum who was a biologist. I went on to study biology myself up to PhD level and I’ve always had this strong belief that we need to work in harmony with nature. I worked in sustainability for a number of years, then had kids and came out of it. When the kids were older, I started reading about environmental issues again and picked up the book Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson. I got really inspired by that book and became connected to the fact we’re always being pushed to consume.
I did Plastic Free July and found it hard. That’s why I started running the pop-ups and selling food in bulk, and it grew from there. The reception has been amazing. Even when I was just doing my pop-ups in Cobden Chambers, it was crazy the number of people who would come. I started off selling food, then people started asking me about bamboo toothbrushes and sponges so I started linking with local makers. A big part of my ethos is collaborating with others who create sustainably. It sounds like a cliché, but I do feel part of a community. Over Christmas we all get pushed into this idea of gift giving. I’d recommend asking people if they want a gift, or shopping in charity shops. If you do want to buy something, maybe buy something practical or eco-friendly. People are coming in and buying things like lunch boxes and reusable cups at the moment. You can buy things to help people make a change. We all have the power to make a difference in our own lives, and how we consume is how we exert that power.
Gift Idea: Unwind & Pamper Zero Waste Gift Set - £45 Supporting local Notts makers, this pamper kit includes a whole range of zero waste products for a relaxing night at home. leftlion.co.uk/issue142
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Doughnotts 14 King Street, NG1 2AS
doughnottsofficial.com
We can’t forget Nottingham’s most iconic doughnut shop. Ranging from your simple glazed doughnut to Death by Chocolate, there’s something for everyone. All doughnuts are handmade from start to finish, ensuring great quality every time. Shop Profile: Wade from Doughnotts I probably start each day at half three or four in the morning and do admin stuff, or I’ll head down to the bakery and crack on baking. We’re producing about 20,000 doughnuts a week at the minute which are all handmade and hand cut. So, it’s all systems go.
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Doughnotts started about seven and a half years ago. It was me and Megan Scaddan in Megan’s mum’s kitchen, and we started it on a tenner. Megan and I were both on about £100 a week at the time and we had nothing to lose, so we just ran at it.
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The first doughnut that we made was just a glazed doughnut and I sold it to my mate Rupert. I sold him twelve for £12 and drove them about thirty minutes to his house. We have so many flavours now. Things like Cookie Monster, Red Velvet and Death by Chocolate were the first ones we made, but I love them all. I’ve had doughnuts from all around the world. There’s a company in New York called Dough that has really dry doughnuts, but I like that because that’s their thing. But if you go somewhere like Doughnut Plant, their doughnuts are like chewing gum, which I love too. I think we make a very good middle ground. We’re expanding crazy fast; we’re looking at a new Nottingham site, and have one potentially opening in Sherwood and one opening in the Ikea retail park. We want to let Nottingham know that we’re investing back into the city. We want to pump money into the local economy, and to employ more people, which is better for everyone.
Gift Idea: Gift Voucher - £6 or £12 Simple and efficient. There’s no better gift than handmade Nottingham doughnuts.
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Megan Crook Textiles Unit 15, Sneinton Market, NG1 1DS
megancrook.com
Megan Crook Textiles is a rainbow clothing emporium, based in Sneinton Market. The shop sells ready-made clothing, bespoke pieces, and holds creative fashion workshops for anyone craving a bit more colour in their life. Shop Profile: Megan Crook Colour, for me, is life. It represents pure vitality. It’s so important to surround yourself with colour, whether that’s in your home or on your person. It’s so uplifting. I’ve been here for two years, but prior to that I worked from home for fifteen years. I don’t think I’ve ever been as content with my life and work as I am now. It’s great to have that sense of community in Sneinton Market, there are lots of independent businesses supporting each other. I love that it’s public-facing but also a working studio. You can choose your fabric and have a bespoke garment, or choose from products on the shop floor. That’s really special and unique.
My favourite days are when I’m doing sampling, or when I’m drafting patterns for new designs, and we’re making them, trying them on and twizzling around the studio. A lot of my inspiration comes from sourcing materials, I probably should have been a buyer or a personal shopper or something like that, I’ve just got the eye for finding things that are unique and different. When I source material I’ll feel the weight of it, I’ll look at the pattern, and I’ll visualise what I feel that particular fabric is best suited for. Like I said, this space is definitely one of the things I’m most proud of. I also run another business called Get Crooked which is my festival love child, and seeing my work at Glastonbury was so amazing. I used to do a lot of trade shows, so seeing my designs in places like New York and Moscow was really exciting. But also, it’s great just getting emails from people who received their order and are delighted.
Gift Idea: Velvet Cowl - £35 A jewel toned cowl to brighten up a gloomy December. This feels luxurious and practical.
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1. 101 Vintage 2. The Bead Shop 3. Behind the Red Door 4. Braderie 5. Brew Cavern 6. Carolyn Codd 7. Coles Sewing Centre 8. Dash Vegan 9. Debbie Bryan 10. Doughnotts 11. Five Leaves Bookshop 12. Gray & Bull Opticians
13. Hopkinson at Cobden Place 14. Inspired 15. Keishi Jewellery 16. K.Fines Jewellery 17. Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates 18. Megan Crook Textiles 19. Shop Zero 20. Splatt 21. Stewarts 22. Thea Kitchen, Bar & Garden 23. The Watered Garden 24. Wild Clothing
Gift Guide
For travel discounts and further information on what Nottingham has to offer this Christmas, visit itsinnottingham.com
Editor:
Lizzy O’Riordan
Design:
Fiona Carr
Photography: Curtis Powell Ekam Hundal
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leftlion.co.uk/issue142
Independent businesses are a crucial point of difference for Nottingham’s retail and leisure offerings, rich in diversity and creativity, and Nottingham BID are committed to recognising and celebrating their vital contribution to the local economy through the dedicated Independent Nottingham stream of delivery. To discover your local independents, visit: itsinnottingham.com/ideas-inspiration/independents Are you an independent business owner? You can get involved in the Independent Nottingham campaign if your business is: a bricks and mortar, public facing business, within the Nottingham BID area that you, the business owner, considers to be an ‘independent’, and Nottingham BID agree that your business helps make Nottingham unique. To find out more, visit nottinghambid.com/what-we-deliver/independent-city