County Durham businesses to support this Christmas

Most of them have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and would be appreciative of your support and custom at during the festive season.

While you could do your shopping with large online retailers, it’s entirely possible to source everything you need for the big day right here in County Durham.

To celebrate Small Business Saturday (5th December), we have compiled a list of some of the very best local businesses to support this Christmas.

Last year, over £800m was spent with small businesses across the UK on Small Business Saturday, and a record turnout of 17.6 million people choosing to shop small on the day.

Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK said: "This year, with the impact of Covid-19 and another lockdown, it is vital that we continue to support small businesses as this crisis continues and keep them high on everyone’s agenda.

"Not only are small businesses at the heart of our economy, but they play a vital role in supporting our communities"

From local butchers, to quirky gift shop, here are some independent retailers you should consider purchasing from this festive season:

Christmas meat

While you could get your Christmas turkey from the nearest Aldi or Tesco, there are plenty of local butchers who would appreciate your custom this year.

Not only will you be supporting a local business, you will also be purchasing top-quality meat.

W.Alderson & Sonv is a Darlington butchers you should consider this Christmas.

Nigel Alderson

It was first established in 1934 and has been passed down through the generations ever since.

Nigel Alderson runs the business and said the pandemic has made a “dramatic” impact on his  business.

He said: “As a business owner it was an extremely stressful time trying to look after both our customers demands and the safety of my staff.

“We went to an order only system for both collection and delivery and quickly loaded our website with as many of our products as possible.

“All of a sudden we went from delivery once a week to about 4 or 5 customers to delivering 4 days a week to around 100 customers in Darlington and beyond as well as doing the collection orders.”

However, they re-opened back in June and currently have a new system in place that will make it safer and easier to work.

Mr Alderson said: “Turkey is again proving to be the most popular product, but we also sell ducks, geese, large roasting chickens and Turkey crowns as well as our prime local beef, lamb and pork.

“We make our own sausages and currently have over 2,000 pigs in blankets ordered.”

“We have great value hampers on offer this Christmas as well as some great deals on cheeses from the Wensleydale creamery”.

Tree decorations

We have already outlined the best places to get a real Christmas tree in the region.

Once the tree is up and the pine scent fills your house, it’s time to get decorating.

Luckily, there are plenty of independent local retailers to support when it comes to Christmas tree decorations.

Bliss Gifts opened in Darlington back in 2003; they have established themselves as a reputable gift shop eversince.

(Facebook/@giftsatbliss)

They have some beautiful decorations for sale, including adorable seasonal mice tree decorations (£5.50), wooden gonks with noses that light  up (£7.99) and even a Silver Christmas Tree Tealight holder (£7.99).

Their eucalyptus heart wreath (£5.50) gives a subtle hint to Christmas as would look gorgeous on the front doors.

Christmas Gifts

Have you considered getting your Christmas gifts from a local business this year?

Once you delve into the world of County Durham’s independent retailers, you might be surprised at just how many unique and fantastic gifts there are on the market.

We have already looked at the unique products being sold by local Etsy sellers- but there are plenty of other independent online and high street shops that could use your custom.

Boozy gifts

Do your friends and family love a tipple?

Then Durham Distillery could have the perfect gift for them; the company specialises in gin, but they also sell vodka.

Gin gift sets

The company’s Sloe Gin is cherry flavoured with hints of pepper while their Cask Aged Gin has matured over 18 months.

If a bottle of gin isn’t enough, the company also sell gift sets (from £20) and Gin in a Gift Tube (£28.50)

Foodies

If you have a food lover in your life, you can’t go far wrong with a gift from Darlington’s Cheese and Wine Shop.

The shop has been running for over 20 years in in Darlington’s historic Clarks Yard; have you ever visited it?

(Facebook/ @theofficialcheeseandwineshop)

Their cheese hampers are incredibly popular with the locals; they are well-filled and are also beautifully presented.

There are plenty of hampers to choose from, including the classing Port and Stilton hamper (from £27), the great value Secret Santa hamper (£20) and The Beer Monster (£40/£45) just to name a few.

Gifts for the children

If you still need to buy a few presents for the kids, then consider shopping at Jack and Jill’s wooden toys in Durham.

They specialise in wooden toys, which are most suitable for children age 0-2.

As well as stocking fillers, such as alphabet cubes and cuddly toys, they also have big ticket items for sale such as wooden princess castles (£39) and a miniature piano (£65).

Shirley Wardle runs the business from home.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted her supply chain; the Christmas Fairs she usually takes the toys to have also been cancelled.

She explained:"They are the events that I look forward to all year as I get to chat to so many people who are also passionate about wooden toys and reminisce about toys they had as children."

Some of Ms Wardle's most popular products are her wooden trains.

She said: "People love them they feel they are something that's a little bit different and a great price for a personalised gift.

"I've never seen them in supermarkets or the big shop that sell toys so there's a really good chance if someone gives one as a gift, the baby/toddler won't have one already."  

Secret Santa

Don’t know what to get for your Secret Santa?

The Mugwump in Durham might have the ideal gift.

The quirky boutique and gift shop has been a go-to shop for locals since 1966.

(Facebook/ @themugwumpdurham) 

It is filled to the rafters with a variety of unique and quirky items, from gorgeous clothes to enviable homeware.

Scented candles,  Steiff teddy bears, Jellycat soft toys, and beautiful cards and just a handful of items you will find here.

At the minute, the store is open by appointment only, but you can contact the store to make your appointment.

Have we missed your favourite off the list? Leave them in the comments.