Independent Shopping
Nottingham's independent districts have long been established in the former industrial areas and secret side streets of the city. Not only find some of the most exciting and unique places to shop in these offbeat locations, but this is also where Nottingham's true personality shines through. From Cobden Chambers and the streets of Hockley to Derby Road and St James Street, there are several hubs for independent shopping across the city, and lots of easy to miss gems dotted throughout, so read on for our tips on making the most of the city's independent shopping scene! Don't forget we've got loads more independent shops located throughout Nottinghamshire, so check out our shopping in the county guide for more ideas for places to visit.
Crafty Delights
The creative spirit runs deep in Nottingham, and luckily for us many of our talented locals have set up businesses to share their skills with the world. Keeping the city’s lace making history alive, Debbie Bryan is an exquisite emporium of artisan crafts, with afternoon tea, evening events and crafternoons populating their events calendar. The Bead Shop is another great place to pick up a new hobby. With almost two decades of experience under their belts, a humungous variety of jewellery making supplies, and an array of workshops, this is a must-visit for any jewellery enthusiast.
Souvenirs
If you’re looking for a Nottingham themed souvenir, the Nottingham Tourism and Travel Centre is the best place to pick up work by local artists, Nottingham themed products and a wide range of official Nottingham Forest merchandise – they’re also a fountain of knowledge for all your travel needs too!
Gifts
We all need that ideal shop where you can always find a beautiful little gift for a friend, and luckily Nottingham has some gems! Inspired in Flying Horse Arcade is a treasure trove of delightful ornamental pieces and perfect for animal lovers, while the Tokenhouse has many more gifts, plus artisan cards and jewellery.
Records & Music
Not only does Nottingham boast a buzzing music scene in its independent pubs and bars, we’re also home to a variety of quality record shops should you want to pick up some vinyl. In 2014, the legendary Rough Trade chose Hockley as the location for its third store, while Cobden Chambers is home to wax masters Forever Records. We must also give a special shout-out to Rob’s Record Mart in Hurt’s Yard. Packed to the rafters with vintage vinyl and unusual finds, proprietor Rob has been in business for almost 40 years and knows a thing or two about sourcing vinyl.
Foodie Excellence
If food be the way to your heart, you’ll fall in love with Nottingham’s independent nosh. Delilah Deli is the perfect place to begin, with shelves of pickles, chutneys, cheeses, herbs, breads and general deli goodness to bite your teeth into. Around the corner in Flying Horse Arcade you can find The Cheese Shop, which is every bit as wonderful as it sounds. If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to try the delectable Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates in Sneinton Market, or check out the mighty Doughnotts on King Street.
To top off your Nottingham feast with a delicious drink, head to Weavers Wines. Having been in business since 1844, this charming boutique sells a comprehensive and creative range of wines, spirits and liqueurs to pair with your food.
Vintage
For those who love finding vintage and retro pieces, Hopkinson Vintage, Antiques and Art Centre next to Nottingham Train Station is a brilliant place to start, with four floors of independent sellers, showcasing authentic goodies from the 50s to the 90s, plus guitars, furniture and other nostalgic knick-knacks. If it’s vintage threads you’re after, in the centre of the city you’ll find Wild Clothing, White Rose, Cow and Braderie all flaunting a miscellany of retro or second-hand fashion.
Specialist
There are also those shops whose expertise knows no bounds, with specialist knowledge you just can’t find online or in chain stores. Classical music lovers will appreciate the stacked shelves at Bookwise in Hockley, which is a hub for classical music and books. Bromley House Library is also a must-see for any book lover. A flourishing independent lending library in the Centre of Nottingham and one of the few remaining subscription libraries in the country, it's the perfect place to relax, read a book and meet friends over a cup of coffee or speciality tea. They also offer tours of their stunning venue from time to time.
You’ll find The Worm That Turned on Derby Road, which is sure to delight green fingered gardeners looking to spruce up their spaces. Finally, Stick & Ribbon are Nottingham’s resident style experts; for those feeling a little stuck, their trained advisors can advise what styles will suit you, and their chic range of clothing is just the place to start building your wardrobe.
Art
Just like the local music scene, Nottingham is a flurry with visual artists, making it a great place to pick up some wall art for your home. Over at Nottingham Contemporary, you can enjoy a unique gift shop including limited-edition art works, books, jewellery and toys. They offer a range of unique products produced by artists, designers, makers and publishers from across the UK and beyond and better still, every purchase made goes to support their free exhibition and learning programmes!
The Nottingham Tourism and Travel Centre also offer a range of artwork from local artists including prints, calendars and more. This is the perfect place to support local artists while getting a perfect souvenir to remember Nottingham and Nottinghamshire by!
Grab a snack or a drink
If you're looking for a quality independent café while you're out and about, check out The Kitchen on Pelham Street, or Hockley Kitchen, all in Nottingham City Centre. If you want more of an evening meal or drinks, check out The Hockley Arts Club which is a creative space for social eating & drinking, The Fox & Grapes in Sneinton Market or The Larder on Goosegate, which has earned a reputation as one of Nottingham's best independent restaurants and is listed in the Michelin, Harden's and Good Food Guides.
If you want a meal or drink in between shops, we reccomend picking up a delicious pizza at Oscar & Rosie's or stop by 200 Degrees Coffe at Flying Horse Walk or on Carrington Street and experience coffee like you've never had it before! Their aim is to serve the perfect cup of coffee and they ship the finest beans from Rainforest Alliance farms back to the UK.
Broadway is the only cinema in the world with a screen designed by Sir Paul Smith. An independent cinema and café bar, stop by for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink and enjoy one of their locally famous pizzas, or catch a film. They also host festivals, workshops and support local talent.
For more information on shopping in Nottinghamshire, check out our Nottingham City Shopping and Shopping in the County pages.