From food to fashion, audio equipment to art, coffee to candles and recyclables to cycling, Gloucestershire is blessed with an incredible array of independent businesses, all offering something special.
Whether you're looking for everyday essentials, a special gift for a loved one, or a treat for yourself, SoGlos showcases the county's eclectic offering, so you can shop with a smile on your face for supporting a truly local enterprise.
Cotswold Veg Box
SoGlos Gloucestershire Lifestyle Award-winner, Cotswold Veg Box, puts together packages of fresh, quality produce delivered straight to doors across the Cotswolds and beyond.
Locally grown, the vegetables from the SGGLA Independent Retailer of the Year 2023 are available via a subscription service, with boxes ranging from small to premium, with an option to build your own box, too — so there's a box to suit every household's unique needs.
Smart Home Sounds
Online home entertainment specialist, Smart Home Sounds, sells hi-fis, speakers, televisions, headphones and plenty more — and boasts an incredible purpose-built showroom in Gloucester, too.
The fast-growing firm moved into new premises on Triangle Park, off Metz Way, in 2022 and has some of the very latest and most popular gear on display with brands including Sonos, Sony and Bang & Olufsen.
Octavia's Bookshop
Opened in 2011 by author Lauren St John, Octavia's Bookshop on Black Jack Street is a Cirencester institution. If you're a child — or simply love children's books — half of the stock is dedicated to you.
However, there’s a huge selection of titles for grown-ups too, from best-sellers to beautiful reference books.
Hawkins & Brimble
Thoroughly British, packed with products you'd expect to find in a top London barbers, men’s grooming brand Hawkins &
Brimble is headquartered in Cheltenham.
Founded by Stephen Shortt in 2016, the firm passed £1.4 million in turnover pre-pandemic — and with a little help from the Department for International Trade, has spread its sales to nigh on 20 countries across the globe.
Martin Berrill Cricket and Sports Supplies
Martin Berrill Sports is well hidden, based on the Morelands Trading Estate near Gloucester Quays, but well used by many who are serious about getting good quality cricket or hockey equipment.
As well as top brands and knowledgeable service, you can even get custom-made bats and bat repairs.
New Brewery Arts
If handmade, creative, artistic and imaginative products turn your head, then New Brewery Arts on Cirencester's Cricklade Street is a treasure trove.
Aiming to promote the magic that craft and creativity can bring to all our lives, it does so in some style — with everything from classes and workshops to try, to jewellery, ceramics, art, clothing and sculpture to buy in its shop.
James of Montpellier
A Cheltenham institution, as the name might suggest, bespoke menswear retailer James of Montpellier can be found in the boutique capital of Cheltenham — the chic Montpellier district.
With three decades of experience under its belt, the business, led by its owner Richard Dare, has survived the highs and lows of a volatile retail environment, but remains ahead of the curve and in demand.
Encore
Ahead of its time, Encore in Castle Street is Cirencester's gem of a vintage shop. Not only can you buy a range of stylish designer label clothes here, but you can sell items you no longer wear, as well.
Founded by Linda Purvis in 1997, she remains the heart and soul of the business and as passionate as ever. If there's a garment you want from a label you love, chances are she can help you find it.
Trash Planet
Proving that the Cotswolds can be as innovative as it is beautiful, one of the newest retailers to emerge from the East Gloucestershire hills is vegan trainer firm Trash Planet, based at The Alliston Centre in Cirencester.
Founded in February 2020 by Holly Boxall and Jordan Grayson, the pair went on a five-day, 2,600 km drive across Portugal in a £200 car to visit the family-run shoemaker that makes its ethical and sustainable shoes, to personally vouch for it.
The Forest Bakehouse
The Forest Bakehouse is an unusual business. Born from its community, it is the brainchild of a group of passionate home-bakers who felt they may just have something worth sharing.
From its less-than-picturesque home on Longhope Industrial Estate, it has become a Forest of Dean institution, with queues forming outside its door on Saturday mornings as regulars enjoy the chance to rub shoulders and swap gossip before collecting a freshly baked sourdough loaf and pastries.
This is Silk
By day, Sonal Keay is a barrister working for the chambers of Michael Mansfield QC, with a particular interest in defending people and businesses against prosecutions and a belief that institutions shouldn't be allowed to throw their weight around.
Her other passion — fitting for someone whose profession sees 'taking silk' as an honour — is her business, Fairford-based This is Silk, which produces a range of products including 22 momme luxury silk pillowcases; skincare and haircare products; clothes; and a modest baby care range.
Kitchen Garden Preserves
Producing a range of chutneys, jams, relishes, mustards, dressings and more, Kitchen Garden Preserves started from modest beginnings in 1989, growing to the multi-award-winning business it is now, well-established at its Salmon Springs headquarters.
It is the sister business to Wolfys Porridge, which is run and managed by James Moinet and James Horwood and produces organic porridges with hidden flavour pots which are stocked not just in supermarkets UK-wide, but also on airlines.
Ethical Addictions
Ethical Addictions in Gloucester is one of the county's original coffee roasteries. While many now insist on Fairtrade when buying their brew, its owners went one better and travelled to the coffee farms, struck up a fair and ethical business relationship with them directly, and traded that way.
Its operation supplies coffee houses and customers across the county and beyond, with the business having recently relocated to Staverton.
Qwerty Beer Box
Qwerty Beer
Box was set up with a mission to champion Britain's finest independent craft
breweries and give those small producers
access to a big business e-commerce functionality.
The brainchild of UK ale aficionados Quinn Leatherbarrow-Stokes and Nikolaus Porsc, after extensive research the Nailsworth-based business compiled a vast directory of contacts to give customers a one-stop shop to choose a selection of beers to have sent direct to their door.
The Candle Tree
It may be one of the shortest streets in Gloucester city centre, but College Street is possibly its most handsome too, with a mixture of timber-framed shops and cafés, as well as elegant Tudor-style buildings leading up to the grand entrance of Gloucester Cathedral.
It's also the location of The Candle Tree, purveyor of beautiful candles, handcrafted soaps, home fragrances, luxury bath and body treats, ladies' vintage-inspired nightwear, scarves, sustainable bamboo socks and much more.
Don’t Buy Her Flowers
This clever business provides an array of carefully chosen gift ideas and inspiring suggestions when you're stuck for what to buy one of the ladies in your life.
Designed to make gifting less stressful for the buyer and to put a smile on the face of the recipient, too, it was founded by Steph Douglas, whose brother, Chas Earley, is operations director.
Gloucester Framing
Gloucester
Framing works with some of the county's leading companies, including Freeman Events Partners,
Superdry and Imjin Barracks, as well as county artists, to beautifully present art and
images together for customers.
With more than 50 years’ experience in picture framing and hanging, the company also has an art gallery right next door, which has shown works by the likes of contemporary Gloucester artists Adele Riley and Kip Kavalleres.
Veloton
For the avid road cyclist, second best to a long ride is dismounting to stop for a coffee and a guilt-free slice of something delicious. Visitors to Veloton in Tetbury can do exactly that, while surrounded by cycling paraphernalia and people who are as enthusiastic about cycling as you.
Pop in if names like Castelli Santini, Fizik, Kask and Bianchi get your pulse racing — or if you simply like really good coffee.
The Greenshop
Sustainable and eco-conscious shoppers in Gloucestershire will likely have heard of The Greenshop.
Its ground-breaking eco store sells everything from eco-friendly paints to natural food products, but the business is so much more than just a store, with The Greenshop Group comprising of Greenshop Solar, Rainharvesting Systems, Ecolour Paints, Consolar UK and Holbrook Garage — all located in Bisley, just outside Stroud.
Topaz Swimwear
Topaz
Swimwear is all about bold, elegant, timeless designs and swimwear that makes
you feel as good as you look. Its stylish pieces wouldn't look out of place lounging next to the pool in the Bahamas, the Maldives or the Amalfi coast.
The fledgling business founded by the Cheltenham-based designer and creative mind, Natasha Griggs, won the award for Best Swimwear Brand of the Year in 2021 and has been nominated for more.
&Sons
Aimed at the male market, especially men who don’t feel comfortable suits, &Sons is built on the idea that clothes can be tough and stylish at the same time. Its vintage-inspired garments have a timeless feel and are designed to last, created by and for artisans who appreciate both style and craft.
Shop online or visit its flagship store in Cheltenham to try items on and have them arrive on your doorstep the next day.
