Here are just some shops offering home deliveries for local customers in these challenging times
These are tricky and uncertain times for our local, independent businesses. We’ve been told to avoid busy public places in order to “flatten the curve”, so our town centres are now looking a lot quieter than normal. Now’s the time to (digitally) rally round and (virtually) show our support for our much-loved local boutiques, bookshops, gardening centres and homeware stores – every penny helps to keep them afloat in tough times. So, let’s keep our distance and take to online shopping – thankfully, many of our favourite local shops can facilitate home deliveries. Here’s a selection of Suffolk shops for you to support from home.
Emporium Woodbridge
This much-loved book shop and tea emporium is a haven for all bookworms. Luckily for us, the shop has a thriving online store, which allows you to browse books by category, as well as searching for specific titles that you might be after. And, not only is the store offering free delivery on orders over £30, you can also take 10% off everything in your order with the code: StaySafe. The team is also showing tremendous goodwill by sending free books to anyone who might be self-isolating and in need of some entertainment. Visit the website and social media feeds for more information: www.woodbridgeemporium.co.uk or www.facebook.com/WoodbridgeEmporium. The store is also accepting PayPal donations to help cover the costs of sending out free books. You can donate via the email address: woodbridgeemporium@gmail.com
Cake & Catwalk
Stylish boutique Cake & Catwalk has long been a popular spot on Ipswich’s St Peter’s Street. Home to gorgeous gifts, quirky jewellery and beautiful women’s clothing, Cake & Catwalk boasts a wide array of treasures that you simply won’t find on the high street. The in-store experience is really something special, but for those who are self-isolating, the shop also has a user-friendly online store, too. Whether you’re treating yourself to a little something, or are looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, browse to your heart’s content at: www.cakeandcatwalk.co.uk/online-shop. You can also contact shop owner Lynn for more information on direct deliveries, or advice with online shopping. Phone: 01473 871566 or email: info@cakeandcatwalk.co.uk
Crafty Baba
If you’re going to be spending a bit more time at home, now’s a good time to get started on some craft projects or to take on a new hobby to keep you occupied. Crafty Baba is a fabric and haberdashery shop, with a stunning array of textiles and fabrics. While the Ipswich town centre shop is closed for the time being customers can still order online and over the phone. You can find plenty of the shop’s key products on the website: www.craftybaba.co.uk, and you can also shop online on their eBay and Esty sites: www.ebay.co.uk/str/Crafty-Baba and www.etsy.com/uk/shop/CraftyBaba. Shop owner Zoe is also planning on organising some online sewing classes, to keep customers busy during this tricky period.
Hex Record Shop
With its eclectic selection of vinyl and its friendly service, Hex record shop has proved a real hit with shoppers in Woodbridge and Ipswich. If you’re after some great tunes to see you through self-isolation, look no further than Hex’s online shop – you can browse the entire inventory, and delivery is free for all those living in Woodbridge and Ipswich. Anyone living outside of these centres is encouraged to get in touch, as the team is sure they can work something out delivery-wise for you. Find your next favourite record at: www.hexrecordshop.co.uk, and keep an eye on the Facebook page for some curated Spotify playlists!
The Place for Plants
Even if we are self-isolating, it’s still a good idea to get some fresh air, and gardening is a great way to spend a bit of time outside. And, with spring just around the corner, there’s never been a better moment to give your garden some TLC. But, if your space could do with a bit of sprucing up, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at The Place for Plants. With a wide selection of English-grown plants for your garden, the team is more than happy to arrange local deliveries to your door. Deliveries are also free of charge in the immediate area around East Bergholt. Call 01206 299224 for enquires and advice.
Ruby & Scarlet
This award-winning independent cookware shop is a popular spot among shoppers from Felixstowe and beyond. Fortunately for us, Ruby & Scarlet also has an extensive online shop, which boasts a wide array of gifts, kitchenware and homeware for you to browse at your leisure. Visit the website at www.rubyandscarlet.com to see the selection of products on offer.
Vanil
Bringing a touch of Scandinavian charm to the streets of Woodbridge, Vanil is a stylish homeware shop brimming with goodies from leading Swedish brands. Think chic homeware, candles, jewellery and much more. As well as maintaining a regularly updated online store, Mandy, the owner of Vanil, is also happy to organise home deliveries at this uncertain time. Browse the online store at vanil.co.uk, or contact Mandy directly with your enquiry. Email mandy@vanil.co.uk or telephone 07702 877081.
Lady Norfolk & Lord Rust
This quirky little vintage shop has won scores of loyal customers in Ipswich. Home to unusual vintage trinkets, reworked furniture and beautiful plants, it’s a pleasure to browse the shop, which sits on Queen Street. The shop might be closed for now, but the team are hoping to go ahead with online sales in the interim. Keep an eye on the Instagram page for more updates: www.instagram.com/ladynorfolkandlordrust_ Barretts of Woodbridge
This ever-popular, independent department store is committed to serving the community and its customers in these difficult times. Covering everything from the essentials – such as sheets, pillows and bedding – to home furnishings such as sofas, beds, flooring and curtains, Barretts has everything you could need to make a few home improvements during this period of social distancing. The team can delivery locally for free, and you can place your orders either online or over the phone. Or, if you’re just after a little expert guidance on your purchase, then the team is happy to talk. Telephone 01394 384300, or visit the website: www.barretts.co.uk. Stillwater Books
Set on Felixstowe’s Hamilton Road, Stillwater Books is a hop that has clearly been crafted by a book lover. With an extraordinary range of titles, and covering everything from local history to children’s books, this bookshop is a real treasure trove for bookworms. But for now, if you’re self-isolating, you can continue to show your support for independent books by placing your orders for delivery. Books can either be posted to you, or can be delivered if you live locally. Telephone 01394 548010 for more information, or to talk through an order.
Wines of Interest
This much-loved independent wine shop has been voted one of the Top 100 Wine Retailers in the UK – and it’s not hard to see why! Jonathan and Jonathan – the team behind Wines of Interest – offer a fantastic selection of hand-picked wines, ports, sherries and specialist spirits, buying directly from growers wherever possible, and are always on hand to share their knowledge and offer some friendly advice. While the shop might be closed for now, you can still keep your wine supplies well stocked, as the team is offering both home deliveries and collections. Plus, there are no restrictions on how many bottles you can order! Local home deliveries can be made by the Wines of Interest van on Thursdays or Fridays, and collections can be made on Fridays from the Ipswich shop by prior arrangement only. To comply with current restrictions, a team member will carry your order to your car whilst maintaining a safe 2 metre distance from you. To place an order, or to find out more, visit the website: www.winesofinterest.co.uk Coes
This Ipswich retailing stalwart needs little introduction. This popular department store is well-known for its wide range of quality clothing and its reliably helpful staff. While the shop is closed, customers can still shop online at www.coes.co.uk. And, the store has also launched their Super Spring Sale, meaning that customers can enjoy 20% off selected items that they buy online. The team will also be monitoring their email address (help@coes.co.uk) to help customers with their orders or with any enquiries that they might have. So, if you are looking for something that you can’t find online, get in touch with the team via email and they will try to arrange for it to be delivered to you.
Katie’s Garden Plant Centre
Another recommendation for green-fingered gardeners. Katie’s Garden Plant Centre – based in Newbourne, near Woodbridge – has set up a home delivery service to keep your garden in tip-top shape this spring. Browse the wide selection of plants on offer on the website, place an order and the team’s delivery vans will bring your order to your door for free. And, if you need a little guidance on what to buy, the team has created ‘plant packs’ with photos and suggestions for different planting themes and conditions. You can also request bespoke hanging baskets, which will be delivered to you from early may. Deliveries cover a large part of east and mid Suffolk. Visit www.katiesgarden.co.uk/home-delivery for more information.
Tosier Chocolate
Easter is just around the corner now, although we might be celebrating at home this year. But tanks to the Tosier team, we can still enjoy some quality Easter chocolate! The company has been making award-winning vegan bean-to-bar craft chocolate since 2017, all from its factory unit in the Gipping Valley. The company is now offering free nationwide delivery on its award-winning chocolate bars, and the team has even created an ‘isolation pack’ package of all of the bars in their range, allowing you to sample all of their delicious treats. Visit tosier.co.uk for more information.
Jamie’s Meat Inn
Now that we all have a little more time on our hands, it’s a great opportunity to try out some new recipes. Based in Sudbury, Jamie’s Meat Inn is home to a variety of quality meats at reasonable prices. The team is also putting together weekly ‘isolation packs’, which come complete with a variety of different meats to feed the whole family. The team is happy to arrange no-contact deliveries, so you don’t even need to leave your home to receive your order. Call 01787 311104, or visit the Facebook Page for more information: www.facebook.com/jamiesmeatinn
Saints, Ipswich
The shops that make up the Saints Quarter in Ipswich also want to remind customers that they can always buy gift vouchers to help support local businesses in this difficult time. Just call or email and the teams behind each business can advise you.
LoveOne: Can facilitate deliveries in IP1 through to IP4. Telephone 01473 218742 for more information on deliveries and gift cards.
The Italian Shirt Shop: Can organise gift vouchers for shoppers. Telephone 01473 218658 or email sale@antoniobellini.com for more information.
Emma’s Florist: Can organise home deliveries. Call 01473 218799 to place an order for delivery.
The House in Town, Maud’s Attic and Merchant House Interiors: Browse quirky homeware items and place your order on the website www.houseintown.co.uk, or call 07867 544653 for more advice and information. The team can also hand deliver locally.
Is your independent business offering home delivery at this time? If so, get in touch with us to share your details.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here