The Mock Turtle

I recognise that money is tight for a lot of people at the moment, and I don’t want to seem to be encouraging unnecessary spending, but plenty of small businesses are struggling right now and might benefit from a little boost. If you know of any that you’d like to highlight, please post them here.

I’ll start with a recommendation for Aerende. They sell lovely handmade items produced by people facing various social challenges.

https://www.aerende.co.uk/

I’ve been very pleased with what I’ve ordered from them, and they seem like nice people.

Over to you.

What a lovely idea!

I’d prefer this place not to be mentioned but a friend of mine is struggling. She’s spent weeks making items for an event that now isn’t happening. Thumb...elina Bl.iss on Facebook.

What a lovely idea, Ella!

UncoolJohnArt

A very good friend of mine since I was 15. Struggling with health issues, he finally got a break with his art and was selling and doing ok at Broadway Market on Saturdays. He will have nothing.

https://www.uncooljohnart.com/

Great idea Ella btw. I was also thinking I should have a takeaway every night

Good idea. Most of my local businesses are shops but if you could do with cheering up, grab a candle from Ruby Bee:

https://www.rubybee.co.uk/

I've booked in for a manicure at my local salon for no other reason than I know how much they will be struggling.

My local businesses are shops but a school chum of my cousin has a small physical shop and they do some online stuff too.

If you can get past the twee name, she's recently given up her full time job to devote all of her time to it.

https://thepirateandbluebelle.com/

Thank you Turtles. One of you found my friend and supported her. She didn’t know I knew you and text me to say she’d had a glimmer of hope in a sea of darkness for her business (and family).

Ella - thank you for setting up this thread.

If anyone local to me wants to buy a cinema voucher for when we are allowed out again, consider buying one for here: https://thepalace-longridge.co.uk

The woman who runs it is really great and it's such a fab little place. At the moment you can only buy vouchers by emailing or phoning but she is trying to sort out a link on the website so if you are interested keep an eye out.

This is a lovely idea.

https://lighthouselane.co.uk/

My mate's sister has two shops in Haworth and Skipton. She does arty type stuff, often with a Yorkshire or animal theme.

https://www.kelburnbrewery.com/

My lovely friend's brewery - most of their online stock is local pick up only (just outside Glasgow) but I think you can pay for postage for the slabs of cans. I don't drink beer but they've won loads of awards and several pubs have them on tap.

Her and her Dad built it up from nothing, and she's going in this morning to tell her 8 employees they might not have jobs soon.

Total self-promotion but my business partner and I are facing some very tough times.

If you know anyone in London who may want a home whisky-tasting some time in the future, vouchers are here:
https://www.firecrown.co.uk/gift-vouchers

Thanks for these; please keep them coming. The takeaway idea is a good one- will try to do that on Friday if it's still allowed-, and I've also bought a gift voucher for a local restaurant. They were really pleased and said a few people had done it, so fingers crossed for them.

There's lots on Instagram for helping support independent artists. This is one of the more affordable ones. Works of art on paper for £50: https://instagram.com/paperpatrons?igshid=1ff1d00iafqjc

I've seen one local restaurant offering their menu as a takeaway so I'll be doing that I think. All the benefits of nice food with cheaper wine and eating in my fat pants!

Our lunches this week have come from different local cafes. I think 3 or 4 have temporarily closed and a couple are moving to takeaways.

My hairdresser called to cancel as she has decided to close for 4 weeks. I offered to pay for my next appointment whenever she wanted to, and I could hear her gratitude.

My lovely niece (Hayley) used to work in wedding planning, and set up her own business last year. She sells wedding favours, but is going to be badly hit by the virus, as people start postponing their wedding plans.

She has moved into gift boxes of cosmetics and candles etc. The products are really lovely, and great prices for the quality. S bought the men's grooming one for her bf, and he raves about the beard oil.

https://www.littlelakedistrictluxuries.com

If anyone is planning a wedding for when this is all over, give her a shout? She doesn't just sell the favours off the shelf - she knows what she's doing, and will work with you to make everything look great. Also, she is heavily into sustainability of the goods and packaging.

Kleio wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:47 pm Thank you Turtles. One of you found my friend and supported her. She didn’t know I knew you and text me to say she’d had a glimmer of hope in a sea of darkness for her business (and family).

Ella - thank you for setting up this thread.

Oh, this is lovely.

viggy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 17, 2020 7:57 am https://www.kelburnbrewery.com/

My lovely friend's brewery - most of their online stock is local pick up only (just outside Glasgow) but I think you can pay for postage for the slabs of cans. I don't drink beer but they've won loads of awards and several pubs have them on tap.

Her and her Dad built it up from nothing, and she's going in this morning to tell her 8 employees they might not have jobs soon.

Vigs I’ll send this to C and see if we can pitch in.

I love this shop in the south side and she was so lovely to me when I popped last year with my giant pram and newborn anxiety. I ordered some things from her last night and it’s not the slickest website but her choices are lovely and it’s the kind of shop you NEED. When I was there I found a perfect gift for one really awkward person, and really beautiful things for at least three other people that made it look like I had spent a lot of time and money thinking about them.

https://www.sunshinenumber1.co.uk/

Kleio wrote: ↑Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:47 pm Thank you Turtles. One of you found my friend and supported her. She didn’t know I knew you and text me to say she’d had a glimmer of hope in a sea of darkness for her business (and family).

I'll out myself and that's lovely of her. I've been out all day on an early mother's day/checking up on Mini and what I'd ordered, they tried to deliver.

I'll pick it up tomorrow as my local PO will open regardless and let her know that I have it.

My hairdresser has posted on FB that she has no intention on closing, my appointment is tomorrow morning but I fear that she'll be forced to close at some point.