Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a call to support local businesses to ensure they don’t permanently close, with nearly half of small businesses in the UK fearing it could take 12 months to recover from their losses.
This Christmas is better than any to start thinking about where to spend your money to buy gifts – as well as whose benefitting from your spending.
From gin to flowers, even something for our fury friends – Salford has it all, here’s our small guide to shopping local this Christmas.
Hidden Gem Drinks
Hidden Gem Drinks, based in Pendlebury, opened back in March 2017 and offers a range of spirits, specifically gin.
The family run distillery were inspired by “the local craft beer and gin scene in Salford and Manchester”. The name comes from the 16th century chapel St Mary’s Church in the city centre, known locally as The Hidden Gem.
Every spirit is made in the distillery, as well as bottled, labelled, and delivered by hand.
This Christmas they are offering gift packs which contain a 200ml bottle with a free mixer priced at £15, as well as 700ml bottles in gift boxes priced at £35. The perfect gift for any gin or rum lover. They also offer a miniature gift pack, containing a 5cl bottle and free mixer, starting at £5.
The best part about it, is of course the flavours. Bonfire Rum, Original Gin, and what will be a personal favourite – Spiced Blackberry Gin, are just a few of the many on offer.
Until December 23rd, this tiny family run distillery in Salford are offering 10% off all orders. They also offer free local delivery and orders can be made via email (hello@hiddengemdistillery.co.uk) or direct message on Twitter or Facebook.
Get your gin in!! All our gin comes in beautiful gift boxes, 200ml with a free mixer. Don't forget we have Bonfire Rum and Purple Rum too.
DM or email orders see bio. Free local delivery GM wide.#gin #rum #christmas #treatyourself #salford #manchester pic.twitter.com/Y61p1DeWTu— Hidden Gem (@HiddenGemDrinks) November 13, 2020
Quay to Success Dog Training
Christmas is a time for all the family and of course that means our fury friends too. With the majority of us spending more time at home than ever this year, our dogs have been the last to complain – so it would be rude to miss them out of the gift buying.
Kirsty and Dylan (the Maltese dog) specialise in small, city living dogs. Before opening Quay to Success, Kirsty worked full time in TV while struggling to train Dylan. In her own words “he was a whirlwind on four legs”, this was when she found concept training.
If, like Kirsty, you’re struggling to train your dog, or know someone who is – this gift idea could be your saviour this Christmas.
The idea behind concept training is that you can train your dog in a matter of minutes by just playing with them. Kirsty’s courses start at £27 and attract clients from all over the country, and the world. Courses vary from the puppy basics to how to get your dog to come back when you call.
Kirsty is constantly updating her courses to make sure her clients get the best training possible. She goes down to Devon twice a year to work with Absolute Dogs.
To find out more about how Quay to Success can help you and your four-legged friend, Kirsty offers FREE 15-minute consultations that can be booked online through her website.
Faith’s Florist
This award-winning Salford florist opened it’s doors in November 2012 and is based in Salford Quays.
Originally based in Pendlebury, the business moved to the Quays in July 2020 and can’t wait to welcome customers back over the Christmas period.
Prices start from £30 – which for a bouquet put together professionally by an award winning florist, seems like a bargain to me.
Faith’s Florist create bouquets for literally any occasion, so why not treat someone special to a “one of a kind” gift this Christmas?
If you fancy splashing out a little bit more to go with your fresh flowers, or even if you know someone who would appreciate a smaller gift that needs less looking after, Faith’s Florist also offer a range of wax melts and soaps.
Ldms Soaps and Melts is based inside the florist and offers a range of gift sets that any candle enthusiast would love.
Orders can be made over the phone (01618798439) or on their website.
The Worsley Bakehouse
Emma White started baking at home every week in 2018, with help from her two daughters, before turning her hobby into her business earlier this year. The Worsley Bakehouse was born just before Valentines Day and shortly after, followed the national Lockdown.
The family run business, based in Worsley, didn’t let the pandemic stop them building up “an army” of customers or stop their daily menu of freshly baked treats.
Brownies, blondies, cheesecakes, and cupcakes are only a few of the items The Worsley Bakehouse has on offer – even providing customers with the good old fashioned ‘Retro School Cake’ that everyone has been dreaming about since the day they left school.
A box of 6 brownies or blondies is only going to set you back £12, with every other individual item costing £2.50, and free delivery if you live in Manchester, just looking at what’s on offer is enough to put you off any healthy diet this Christmas.
Oh My Daisies
Our next Salford small business is ran by our very own SalfordNow reporter, Mollie Chapman.
Mollie owns and runs Oh My Daisies and uses resin and fresh flowers to create all kinds of gifts, from jewellery to bookmarks – she loves a personalised order.
“I started my business in July as I wanted to do something creative every day.” Says Mollie who sells her creations on her Etsy store with prices starting at £6.50 and free UK delivery, a gift idea perfect for a friend, Mum, or Grandma.
“I’ve made some amazing friends, both customers and other small business owners.
“Whenever I see someone wearing or using something I made, it makes me feel so happy”
Oh My Daisies stocks a huge variety of different flowers in all kinds of colours, necklaces come on a silver plated chain and every order can be as personalised as you want it to be – so there really is something for everyone.
Whether you have a best friend who loves bright pink flowers, or a Grandma who prefers a more subtle affair – Oh My Daisies is the small business to support this Christmas for presents with a personal touch.
So there you have it, our guide to shopping local this Christmas and supporting small businesses in Salford. Along with these five amazing businesses, there are so many more in our city that would love the support this year, more than any other.
Whether you’re splashing the cash after saving all year, or sticking to a smaller budget, there’s no reason why the presents under your tree can’t be from small, locally run businesses. There is, quite literally, something for everyone.
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