CHRISTMAS is coming but this year, more than ever, money is tight and people are struggling to heat their homes and put food on the table.
Buying presents is moving further down the list of priorities for people all over the country as the current cost-of-living crisis worsens.
Today, is small business Saturday - a day aimed at encouraging customers to shop locally whether it's in person or on line.
After an appeal for small businesses and independent traders in Warrington to get in touch on Black Friday and the following weekend, we have started to create a list of local companies that you can contact this festive period.
Many have unique and creative Christmas gift ideas that don’t cost the earth but are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of your friend or member of your family.
The big list will be updated in the run up to Christmas so please follow the link at the bottom of the page if you would like your business adding to the gift guide.
Traders must have a Warrington connection and a Christmas related product or something that would make a great present.
Bap Fusion, Longford Street
Laura Jones has a family-run business which started during lockdown when her two other businesses were forced to close. They offered lockdown lunches delivered to people's homes and this blossomed into a successful catering business offering buffets and homemade food. The goods are all baked on site and their Christmas best seller is a festive grazing platter that's perfect for parties.
Fondere Cheesecakes
Fondere Cheesecakes, Stockton Heath
Artisan cheesecakes for delivery or collection. A recent start up focussing on restaurant quality deliciousness. Stewart Hemus’s aim is simple - to give customers the best cheesecake they’ve ever tasted. A two-biscuit base, five ingredient cheesecake blended with authentic sauces, compotes and caramels then crowned with unique chocolate designs. Perfect for dinner parties, celebrations, functions or just to treat yourself and those you love.
HanMadeforkids
HanMadeforkids, Howley
HanMadeforkids is personalised items made for kids and from kids by Hannah Austin. Everything she sells is under £20 to make items accessible to everybody no matter what their budget. Hannah has everything from teacher gifts to stocking fillers, clothing to novelty cups and even Christmas Eve boxes and keepsakes.
JOPP Jewellery
JOPP Jewellery, Stockton Heath
Melissa Norman is the designer and maker at Jopp. She designs and makes hand-crafted clay and resin jewellery, inspired by pattern, colour, architecture and texture in her home studio. She loves experimenting with new colour combinations, textures and medium to make each piece of jewellery beautifully bespoke.
Love Your Nails
Love Your Nails, Fearnhead
Sammy Rowland runs a home-based independent nail and beauty salon. She has 15 years salon experience with two years mobile and one year home based. Her regular and loyal clients, who she now call friends, have kept her business going. Treatments include sculptured acrylic nails, builder gel nails and gel toes as well as lash lifts, lash and brow tints, and spray tans.
Room Forty, Woolston and mobile
Room Forty is spreading a little festive cheer with their award-winning mobile afternoon tea emporium and baking school.
Headed by owner Jen Perry, they make and bake everything themselves, delivering to people's homes or other venues.
They provide classic afternoon on vintage china with fine table linen, real loose leaf tea and uniformed staff, priding themselves on quality and service.
More than 1,000 people have learned to bake real bread courtesy of their baking school.
Sew Strings
Sew Strings, Dallam
Helen Callaghan runs a small sewing business, making everything from bunting, bows and scrunchies as well as children’s skirts, fabric wreaths and cards. She also turns pre-loved denim into re-loved items.
Studio Bonita
Studio Bonita, Rylands Street
Chantelle Whitmore runs the small modern and homely beauty salon. During lockdown she started to make bath bombs, wax melts, whipped soap and more as a hobby. They went down so well with friends and family that she decided to set up a website and branched out to other cosmetics such as makeup, tanning and lashes. The salon has gift ideas to suit all ages and tastes as well as mystery goody bags.
Sweet Alley
Sweet Alley, Marsh House Lane
Cristina Stuparu has a small family bakery with homemade cakes and pastries. You can also find homemade pizza bases, breakfast and burgers as well as sandwiches and coffee. Perfect for a festive treat.
The Flossy Stitch
The Flossy Stitch, Online
Katie Percival creates bespoke hand stitched embroidery hoops, handkerchiefs and other items. She can use handwriting pieces, baby scans and wedding keepsakes and started the business in 2013.
Willows
Willows, Westbrook
Willows is an independent store that sells ladies fashion, homeware, gifts and accessories. Debbie Makin stocks brands such as Saint Tropez, Soya Concept and Stoneglow as well as Joma Jewellery and Katie Loxton. They also offer a Christmas gift wrapping service.
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