It’s that time of year again when we flock to the shops, both in-person and online, to find the perfect gifts for our friends and family.
But it now feels more important than ever to support our local economy. It’s not always easy to know where to start, but we hope this handy guide will help you find some amazing local, independent artists, makers and businesses so you can buy some incredible gifts while giving a boost to our local economy.
Shop At Local Arts Markets
There are plenty of arts markets taking place across the Liverpool city region this Autumn/Winter.
There’s the Bluecoat Arts Market and Unity Theatre’s Night Market on Saturday 9 December, Lemon Yellow’s Alternative Xmas Market & Social on Sunday 10 December and Invisible Wind Factory’s Night Arkade on Friday 15 December.
Keep an eye on our What’s On – Markets section for even more event dates.
Shop at independent gift shops
Independent gift shops such are great places to pick up items from local artists and makers.
Merseymade is a great place to pick up gifts from a vast array of local artists, from prints, jewellery, candles and much more.
The Art Quarter, at the Metquarter, showcases local artists selling unique and high-quality art pieces of different mediums including glasswork to oil pastel, and even textile collages.
Utility, with stores on Bold Street and South John Street (Liverpool ONE) is perfect for quirky, design-led, homeware gifts and more.
Red Brick Market, at Cains Brewery Village, is another great independent market where you can stock up unique gifts.
Independent art gallery dot-art is another brilliant place to pick up gifts. You can buy original artworks or pick up gift vouchers to spend in their gallery or to put towards their art classes.
The Bluecoat also has a number of independent shops including the Bluecoat Display Centre – selling contemporary crafted items, Root Houseplants, R&J Porter Jewellers and more. Visit thebluecoat.org.uk/shopping to find out more.
Situated in Albert Dock, The Nest hosts an array of handmade gifts created by local creators in Liverpool. Come and browse the stunning photography, one-of-a-kind jewellery, and brilliant ceramics, amidst a plethora of independent designs.
A Slower Space plant and gift shop on Penny Lane, is great for picking up a variety of houseplants and other nice gifts.
Freida Mo’s vintage boutique and bakery/café on Lark Lane is perfect for vintage-loving friends and family members.
Dorothy design and sell music, film, literature and art inspired prints, products and other curiosities.
Bold Street has a number of great independent clothing stores such as Resurrection, Grin and Soho’s also on Bold Street is another great place to pick up clothes.
The Liverpool Tea Warehouse is a specialty tea shop located in the Baltic Triangle. The shop boasts a vast selection of over 200 types of finest quality loose leaf teas, fruit and herbal infusions, and biodegradable tea temples.
Shop at independent bookshops
For book lovers you can pick up the perfect gift, and treat yourself to some great reads, at a whole host of independent bookshops.
Liverpool independent bookshops
News From Nowhere
Address: 96 Bold Street, Liverpool L1
Kernaghan Books
Address: The Bluecoat, School Lane, Liverpool L1
Reid of Liverpool
Address: 105 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3
Open Eye Gallery Bookshop
Address: 19 Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1BP
Henry Bohn Books
Address: 12 London Road, Liverpool L3
Baltic Bookstore
Address: Red Brick Market, Cains Brewery Village, Liverpool L8
Dead Ink Booksshop
Address: 375 Smithdown Road, Liverpool L15
The Reader
Address: Calderstones Mansion House, Calderstones Park, Liverpool L18
Kingsley & Co | Bootle: Literacy Project
Address: 9-20 The Palatine, Strand Shopping Centre, Bootle L20
Write Blend Bookshop
Address: 124 South Rd, Waterloo, Liverpool L22
Pritchard’s Bookshop
Address: 13 Moor Lane, Crosby, Liverpool L23
Wirral independent bookshops
Oxton Village Books
Address: Williamson Art Gallery, Wirral CH43
Literally Books
Address: 12 Atherton St, New Brighton, Wallasey CH45
West Kirby Bookshop
Address: 6 Grange Rd, West Kirby, Wirral CH48
St Helens independent bookshops
The St Helens Bookstop
Address: 11 Bridge St, Saint Helens WA10
Southport independent bookshops
Broadhursts of Southport Ltd
Address: 5-7 Market St, Southport PR8
Widnes independent bookshops
Curiosity Bookshop
Address: 2 High St, Runcorn WA7
Shop at independent record stores
There is no doubt that Liverpool has a rich music heritage and music fans with a weakness for vinyl have lots of options to shop local and independent.
Liverpool independent record stores
Probe Records
Address: 1, The Bluecoat, School Ln, Liverpool L1 3BX
81 Renshaw
Address: 81 Renshaw St, Liverpool L1 2SJ
Defend Vinyl
Address: 395 Smithdown Rd, Liverpool L15 3JJ
Dead Air Vinyl
Address: 17 Suffolk St, Liverpool L1 5HS
Penny Lane Records
Address: The Emporium, Smithdown Road, Liverpool L15 5AF
Phase One
Address: 40 Seel St, Liverpool L1 4BE
Rockpoint Records
Address: 92 Victoria Rd, New Brighton, Wallasey CH45 2JF
Liverpool city region independent record stores
POPin th’ATTIC
Address: 13/15 Atherton Street, Prescot L34 5QN
Cool Cat Records
Address: Widnes Market, Bradley Way, Widnes WA8 6UE
Skeleton Records
Address: 11 Oxton Rd, Birkenhead CH41 2QQ
We hope you’re feeling inspired to shop local and independent this Christmas and all year round!