The Daily Focus pick of Staffordshire shops to support this Small Business Saturday

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, a campaign encouraging consumers to shop local and to support small independent businesses in their communities.

With the festive season in full swing, Daily Focus brings you a guide to some of the county’s best independent small businesses to turn to when Christmas shopping.

Keep It Local has not only opened Staffordshire’s first creative department store featuring wares from two hundred makers and creators in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, but also has shops in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Longton. It is a must visit business.

On a similar note, everything stocked in World of Wedgwood’s Josiah & Co has been crafted in Staffordshire, or by a maker from the county, including gifts, art, homeware and accessories.

If candles are on your shopping list, then The Wandering Bee, in Stone, is perfect. They describe their products as ‘kick-ass kind candles crafted from beer bottles’.

While in Stone, stop by Mishka Truffles for all the chocolates you need to buy – and a treat for yourself from their café.

Thread Bear’s Amigurumi (a type of crochet) toys make the cutest gifts for youngsters and the Leek shop sells bespoke handmade baby and children’s attire so no two children will end up wearing the same thing.

Another real gem in Leek is Blueberry Cottage Gifts & Homeware, which sells the likes of mugs, tumblers and cards and all their designs can be personalised or altered. 

For a variety of independent traders under one roof, Amerton Artisans at Amerton Farm, near Stafford, is a great place where you can also meet many of the makers.

No Christmas spread is complete without a cheese board and The Cheese Locker, in Abbots Bromley, is home to more than 50 different ones, as well as the best accompaniments. 

And when it comes to preserves, sauces and condiments, there’s the multi award-winning Cottage Delight, which has a pop-up shop at its Leekbrook base in the run up to Christmas.

Stafford-based Sunnyside Drinks makes refreshing ginger beer like no other – and a mulled version perfect for winter. 

Nelson’s Distillery and School, near Uttoxeter, boasts a Christmas collection which includes Black Forest Gin and Roy Wood’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day Supergin. Experience gifts are also available.

If a pint is more your thing, Newcastle-under-Lyme’s Best of British Beer’s Christmas range offers its widest choice of goodies yet – including 25 different festive brews such as Staffordshire Brewery’s Bobbin’ Robin.

Don’t forget Titanic Brewery, in Stoke-on-Trent, has a shop for its famous range – plus Plum Porter ketchup – too.

Chloe Breeze Illustration specialises in personalised prints and offers a range of products inspired by Stoke-on-Trent, where Chloe is from. Think bottle kiln tea towels, Port Vale coasters and oatcake recipe prints. 

New cosy indie bookshop Vellichor Books, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, stocks the latest best sellers through to pre-loved gems, promising something for everyone.

But if you’re shopping for an avid reader in the south of the county then Press Books & Coffee, in Hednesford, would be a good place to try.

Buying gifts for a foodie or drink lover? Need to equip your kitchen before you cook Christmas dinner? Simmer and Slice at The Trentham Estate can sort you out.

From natural treats to stylish accessories, So Very Dog in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent has it all for dogs – plus the best welcome sausages for four legged friends who join you when you visit. 

Whilst in Longton, try Bombs R Us for an extensive range of gifts to make bathtime special. Their bath bombs, skincare products and candles etc can all be combined to make gift sets.

Those passionate about sustainable living would appreciate the British made, eco-friendly products and refills at Grace & May Home, in Lichfield.

Internet sensation SpudMan (who has his own cookbook out by the way) talks about it often on TikTok, so Wyldes Sweet Shop in Tamworth, is definitely worth a visit for traditional British sweets that most places don’t sell anymore.  

Over 50 dealers of vintage, retro and antiques can be found at Foregate Street Vintage Emporium in Stafford and its sister shop The Loft Vintage & Antiques in Rugeley.

Did you know the Art UK charity – the online home for public art collections – is based in Stoke-on-Trent and has a shop featuring thousands of prints and gifts to bring art into your life? Every purchase from the Art UK Shop helps the museums and galleries featured.

And don’t forget the county’s many physical charity shops, many of which now have their own ranges of gifts, Christmas cards and bargain second-hand pieces. The new Emmaus North Staffordshire one in Hanley is said to be the largest charity shop in the country.

Weekly town centre markets, special artisan markets (Castle Artisan Market for example), farm shops (like Canalside in Great Haywood), garden centres (Bramshall Farm in Uttoxeter has both a garden centre and farm shop) and gift shops at our many museums and attractions could also provide what you’re looking for.

Do you know somewhere special that also deserves a mention? Leave a comment below.