It was my birthday this week, and I was treated to a day out in Leamington Spa, mooching around the lovely independent shops and eating Italian antipasto with a Bellini Classico cocktail (sparking wine and white peach puree, so not too strong for a lunch time!) I’ve been to Leamington Spa shopping before but went up a road I’d not been up before and found Berylune – a sweet little shop selling vintage homewares, satchel bags, cute patterned stationary, washi tape, art and crafting materials – my kind of shop! Emily at Berylune has very kindly put together a bag of goodies for one of my readers. Inside the bag is a roll of washi tape, 2 Chupa Chup Lollies, a badge made from a vintage annual, a pair of rose earrings, a pretty exercise book, 6m of Baker’s Twine, 1m Jumbo Ric Rac, a
giant button, a bendy pencil and a pack of pink stripey straws. All perfect for using this Summer! All you need to do is comment on this post saying why you think supporting independent shops is important and ‘Like’ Berylune over on Facebook here. A winner will be picked on Friday June 15th. UK residents only please.
I love independent shops, I especially love Berylune! I would much rather buy something from a friendly, interesting, pretty shop than somewhere the same as you find everywhere else
Local shops are the heart of a local community. They’re also a great way to support artists.
Independent shops bring streets to life. I love rummaging in a shop like this and buying something where I know the money is going to support the shop and the artist who made the item. They’re also a great source of inspiration for my own craft projects! Haven’t been in Leamington for a number of years but you’ve really got me thinking that I need to plan another visit soon!
This looks incredible! I love to support local shops and think it’s important we all do so we don’t lose them. Independent shops are nearly always run by hard-working people who have specialist knowledge in their craft, compared to some bored retail assistant who doesn’t care about what they’re selling for some corporate company. You can find interesting, unique items that you know won’t be found anywhere else
I believe Independent is the only way to save the economy – there is no need for the greed of the big corporations – Corporation greed = slave labour, environmental disaster and over production!!! We Must support our independant shops to save both our economy and our sanity!!!!
i love to support local shops and offen supply local craft shops with my arts and crafts for free , i re/upcycle what ever i can find . being disabled it keeps me busy
Local shops are part of the community and should be supported
Supporting independent shops is important because without them high streets and communities become run down.
independent shops are brilliant and you know you are more likely to get a “service” rather than just be a customer
I love to support independent shops! they’re the heart of small communities!
Thank you for introducing us to Berylune!
I would love to enter your lovely giveaway but I don’t do Facebook! I hope this isn’t a problem!
I love independent shops, it stops everyone having the same things.
Much more inspirational than the mass produced stuff you get from the big retail outlets, just lovely!
Love the quirkiness and uniqueness of local independent shops, I love to take a look around and make purchases when I can! I like to be part of a tight community!
Independent shops are lovely as you can get something unique and different rather than mass market produced items which you are likely to see everywhere
It is vital independent shops are supported by everybody. Like many people I think they are the real lifeblood of a high street as they are ‘our cultural identity personified’. We don’t want to go from town to town and see the same bland retailers offering the same old mass produced products, we need variety, we need great design and we need individuality! I used to love shopping when I could discover these ‘smaller’ retailers who offered something new every visit – it bought me and many others out and mixing with our neighbours. It’s boring looking at catalogues of restricted profits always on so-called ‘sale’. Discover your past heritage and keep our history alive. x
I love independent stores like Berylune, it’s the kind of store that brightens your shopping trip. We need independent stores like this so badly to add some character back to the high street and to keep money in communities. There’s little to no loyalty with chain stores and that’s sad. I need me a trip to Leamington Spa asap!
Independent shops, whatever they sell, are vital if we don’t want to all end up like unthinking clones, eating the same food, wearing the same clothes, living in identically furnished houses. Yes, independent shopping can cost more than the mammoth High Street giants but we could all do with consuming less anyway, and think about what we want or need rather than mindlessly buy what the rest of the herd is!
They’re the heart of small communities
I love independent shops they are good for the community. x
It’s so important…I live in Cambridge which recently was voted the worst place to shop in the UK as it is so full of chains. It’s a beautiful city but the shopping is so dull. I used to live in East Dulwich in London and it was such a delight to browse and buy in all the little independent shops. More power to them all!
I love independent shops, i hate seeing all the same shops selling all the same stuff…. so BORING!!!
Independent shops are for independent spirits! I love the sound of Berylune. Wish it was closer!
Supporting your local independent shops is a vital way of keeping them in business! I’d much rather support a small family run indie business than a bib box store – it makes so much more of a difference.
I think it is very important to support independent shops, because it makes shopping much more interesting and unique and far better than going to a large store!
As an ex-indi store that didn’t make it, I can say from the heart that we need to keep shops like this alive! The mass corps will be the only ones to make it & that’s a horrible thought! <3
i try and use local shops as much as possible. They are the heart of our village
The independants give an area some character. We seek them out wherever we go and you can always find something different in them.
I love our local independant craft shops, they’re like little treasure troves crammed with goodies that you won’t find in the big chain shops!
Important because you always get much better customer service. Plus I’d rather be spending my money in their shops than lining the pockets of the fat cats somewhere in London
Independant shops are always full of unique items and the customer service is unbeatable. You can normally have some witty banter with the staff as well! x
Without Independant shops our towns are loosing their identity and becoming faceless clones of each other. It’s sad
i love little vintage shops
one of a kind things xx
i love independent shops. Much more pleasant service and overall a better shopping experience.
i love the small local shops thay are still friendly
They are important to keep the local community going
I love independant shops. I don’t know what I would do without my local butchers and green grocers! They are always so friendly – with a real community feel. A great way to meet the neighbours!
Independant shops are what makes us british. The quality and customer service are second to none. I try and use my local butchers, markets, shops etc as much as possible but unless more people continue to do so they will loose out to the bigger chains within the next few generations.
I love independent shops because they are able to provide a wider variety of products than chains and the owners listen to my needs and wants.
I love independent shops as i’m bored of seeing the same things on the highstreet. I would pay more money for something unique and different.
I love Independent shops. They always have something a bit different and special.
Independant shops are important to support so that every high street does not become the same.
Independant shops are great for the sheer variety, getting unique and individual items, not to mention providing a livelihood for local people.
Well Done to JoC who was picked by a random number generator and won the Berylune goodie bag. Thank you to all of you for your great comments and for entering! So good to know there’s so much support for independents out there! x