Harrogate Advertiser urges town to 'Love our Indies' this Christmas

Whilst chains across the country will boast their uniformed display of Christmas offerings, Harrogate offers true individual with its independents distinguishing us from the rest.

Following on from the Advertiser’s successful ‘Love our Indies’ campaign, this Christmas we’re highlighting our unique independents once again to make sure it’s a festive season to remember.

Truly unique gifts and presents are always hard to come buy but thankfully Harrogate offers a range of independent gift shops including Sophie Hartley’s ‘Sophie Likes’ on Beulah Street.

Sophie said: “This year more than ever we are lucky to have such a wide range of places to shop, eat and drink with many of them having opened in the last year.

“A lot of them unique, independent and individual too making Harrogate an attractive place to visit.

“I think that by making small changes to your Christmas shopping habits and supporting local independents you can help bring the festive feeling and magic back.”

Victoria Turner runs the popular lifestyle blog ‘The Harrogate Girl’ and said that the independent scene helps the town come alive at Christmas.

She said: “Not only do you have the winter lights which welcomes friends, new and old to the town but you also have great shops, bar, restaurants which make Harrogate stand out above the rest and a unique place to visit.

“It’s important to me to always try to shop local; Rhodes Woods has the perfect scarf for my dad and Sophie Likes has a treasure trove of gifts waiting to be wrapped up and put under the Christmas tree.

“To top it off a Bettys mince pie is a must do tradition in our family.”

It may still be November, but Sandra Doherty, chair of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, said the independents have already pulled all the stops out.

She said: “Our town is not only well stocked it is well loved by the visitors and the locals, especially the wonderful people who work here.

"There seems to be a genuine pleasure in serving the public and a truly friendly atmosphere.”

Caroline Bayliss will launch her new column next week highlighting harrogate’s offering of shops, bars and cafes to visit this Christmas.