As the coronavirus pandemic rolls on, it’s become even more vital than usual for small businesses to somehow keep going.
While tweaking the delivery policies for the stationery company I co-own, I realised there are lots of local businesses which can arrange for doorstep collection – a lovely addition to your daily walk!
Some of them are also posting, like us, once a week – so you can still get your fix from those further afield.
So without further ado, here are some of the ones I’ve come across:
Colchester
Ink Drops – stationery & papery goodness
Stationery subscription boxes at its core, but also offering build your own box, curated collections and for the whole of lockdown, mystery stationery parcels. Run by a pair of book-loving ex-librarians who just love paper! (spoiler – one of them is me!)
Wivenhoe and Colchester Town, inkdrops.co.uk
Vool – vegan goodies
Vool stocks all kinds of vegan treats – some sensible, some very sweet! Perfect to stock your cupboards or to send a care package to a vegan or vegan curious friend.
Colchester Town, vool.co.uk
Made & Found – posh drinks & dog treats
One of my absolute favourite places in town, while everything is closed, Francis at Made & Found is supplying their own blend coffee (beans or ground), handmade dog treats in 8 different flavours and the hot chocolate discs they use in the cafe for hot chocolate and milkshakes, which are amazing.
Colchester Town, order via Facebook or Instagram
Artist Philly – pet portraits & rainbow animal art cards
Philly is the artist behind my beloved rainbow cats – and you’ll be delighted to know she has a whole range of rainbow animal cards and prints for all sorts of occasions. She’s also still taking commissions and I can’t recommend her enough – my portrait is up in pride of place and it makes me happy every single day. Sneak peek at the video!
Wivenhoe, artistphilly.com
Ready 2 Wear Again – preloved fashion
You can’t go out shopping, but you can shop from the comfort of your home – and where better than a sustainable small business? Leanne curates gorgeous preloved & vintage clothing at an affordable price – support local and freshen up your wardrobe!
Colchester, via Facebook
Holt Farm – fresh fruit & veg
Fruit & veg boxes delivered to all CO postcodes, and the promise of other goodies in coming weeks – I am Very Excited to dive in as I’ve got plenty of frozen veg but getting fresh has been really hit or miss!
Colchester / CO postcodes, holt-farm.co.uk
Easy Tiger Vintage – glorious vintage clothing
Liz not only runs an excellent (if slightly dangerous – I always want all of it) vintage clothes company, she is also a fellow greyhound lover 🙂 Easy Tiger always stocks colourful, good quality, joyful clothes!
Colchester, via Facebook
Lavender Yarns – crafters ahoy!
Glorious yarns & vintage patterns, so there’s no excuse not to get making if you have time on your hands. (and if you don’t, no judgement, but you might want to order some of these anyway because they’re beautiful.)
Colchester, lavenderyarns.co.uk
The Indie Folk – home decor gloriousness
Giving new life to unloved vintage clothing & jewellery is what The Indie Folk do best, and oh, they have such beautiful things in their shop! Charlie also makes bespoke candles, so drop her a message and see what lovely things you can add to your life during lockdown.
Colchester, order via Facebook
Jacqueline South – art to treasure
Jacqueline lives in the same village as me, and her work is so beautiful – she takes commissions for bespoke portraits of people, pets and places, and also has a range of cards, prints and coasters which can be collected during the pandemic. Highly recommended, I love her work!
Wivenhoe, jacquelinesouth.co.uk
Lizzie Croucher – pottery with personality
Gorgeous, quirky, handmade and smile-inducing ceramics to brighten up all parts of your day. And even better, Lizzie has an earth friendly approach, recycling all waste clay and recycling or reusing packaging 🙂 She can deliver locally on Mondays.
Colchester, croucherli.co.uk
Framewerks – contactless picture framing
What better time than lockdown to get your favourite art & photos framed and on the wall? Framewerks is offering a Zoom or Facetime consultation, and then a free collection & delivery service once your pieces are ready.
Colchester, framewerks.co.uk (email for info!)
Woodenwepeople – hand painted peg dolls & cards
Gorgeous handpainted peg dolls which can’t fail to lift your spirits. From Star Wars to Tina Turner, bottle stoppers and even NHS dolls, Lisa can do bespoke orders too. Peg dolls cards made me smile as well!
Colchester, via Facebook
Slightly further afield
Green Island Gardens – plants for your garden
I love Green Island Gardens – it’s not far from my studio and it’s the most soothing place to wander in nature. As spring and then summer roll round, I always start hankering after more greenery – and Fiona is delivering!
Ardleigh, greenislandgardens.co.uk
Little Boat Gifts – for literally every gifting need
Little Boat Gifts is the most gorgeous shop, run by two genuinely lovely people, and they are now delivering locally in Brightlingsea. So if you have a birthday or occasion coming up – go and see what they have!
Brightlingsea, littleboatgifts.co.uk
Patrician Press – books!
Patrician Press is “the publisher that can’t be categorised” which is rather delightful. With an impressive list of as-promised eclectic authors, I can’t wait to dive in – my bookish heart is made happy!
Manningtree, patricianpress.com
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I’ll keep adding to the list as I discover more – feel free to drop me a note if you can offer doorstep drop or collection in your local area (don’t forget to tell me where you’re from!) – hello@carlawatkins.com
And if you’d like to stay in the loop, come & join us over at the Improper Job Collective – likeminded support & monthly letters from me.
