Independent Shops in Ipswich

POSTED ON: 10/09/2020

A vibrant community of small businesses

Ipswich is home to an incredible mix of fiercely independent businesses offering everything from fashion, books and gifts to food, jewellery and homewares. 

Throughout Ipswich town centre there are clusters of indie shops for you to explore, each with their own unique character. Most of the small businesses in Ipswich are run by just one person or a very small team; therefore you can get a personal one-to-one experience with unique products that you won't find anywhere else. 

When shopping in a small business in Ipswich, you are helping to support the town's local business community and keeping the spirit of independent shopping alive!

A quiet cut-through between the busy streets of Buttermarket and Tavern Street, Dial Lane is a beautiful Victorian thoroughfare lined with a passionate group of retailers. The lane is also home to St Lawrence Church, a grade II listed building with the world's oldest ring of five bells, and Pickwicks, a charming tearoom and coffee house.

Berridges
Family jewellers since 1994 offering bespoke jewellery services along with hand-picked collections of contemporary and vintage pieces.

Dial Lane Books
Scandi-style book shop with collections of classic and modern fiction along with specialist sections of children's, travel and local literature.

Zeebra Chic
Women's boutique bringing the latest Italian fashion to Ipswich along quirky gifts, homewares and accessories.

---

Ipswich's most well-known spot for independent shopping; St Peters Street and St Nicholas Street (aka 'The Saints') are the main streets connecting the town centre with the waterfront. Filled with old merchant houses, the shops and business along The Saints might be small but they're bursting with personality. Visit www.thesaintsipswich.com to sign-up to their newsletter.

Hopsters
Specialist craft ale and spirits store with an every-changing mix of local, national and international beers that you'll never find down the supermarket booze aisle.

HUG Lifestyle
Beautiful concept store specialising in sustainable homewares and women's clothing from independent, ethical fashion brands.

The Italian Shirt Shop
Menswear store specialising in Italian tailoring with seasonal shirts, suits and jackets imported directly from artisan makers.

LoveOne
Quirky gift and homewares store packed with Suffolk-made wares and community products from across the world; from candles and jewellery to cards, art prints and stationery.

Maud's Attic
Eclectic vintage store with antique jewellery and one-of-a-kind gifts.

Merchant House
Eccentric homewares, garden furniture and movie-themed gifts with specialist collections from Harry Potter and Game of Thrones.

The House in Town
Bold homewares and interior accessories all personally selected for a unique, artsy look.

---

Adjacent to the main Ipswich high street, Buttermarket is home to a mix of national brands and some well-established independent jewellers and stores.

Carats
Contemporary jewellers crafting beautiful rings, bracelets, bangles and men's collections in the on-site workshop.

Global Fruits
Traditional green grocer and food store with fresh local fruits and vegetables along with ethically-source global produce.

J.G. Andrews
Since establishing in 1970, Andrews jewellers have been bringing fine jewellery and watches to the people of Ipswich.

Twist & Shout
Award-winning mens clothing store offering retro British menswear including quirky suits, shirts, shoes, accessories and Lambretta clothing.

Robert Gatward
A purveyor of luxury watches and jewellery; official retailers for Rolex, Gucci, Tudor, Tissot, OMEGA and Tag Heuer.

---

In the heart of Ipswich, just South of the Cornhill, Queens Street is famous for the much-loved Giles Family statue plus for it's independent shops and places to eat. Sandwiched between the main high street and The Saints, Queens Street is a perfect spot to visit when exploring Ipswich.

Music World
Ipswich's dedicated music shop and one of the biggest in Suffolk. Music World is filled with top quality instruments, sound equipment, sheet music and accessories; everything a musician needs.

Uniform Research
Dedicated menswear store bringing the latest seasonal trends and mid-range brands to Ipswich including Edwin, Lee Jeans, Fjallraven, Dickies, Armor Lux and many more.

Zest
A charity shops like no other; Zest is a unique concept store created by St Elizabeth Hospice that curates collections of fashion, accessories and homewares from popular high street and online brands.

---

The Walk

The Walk is a quirky gem nestled in the heart of Ipswich; a mock-Tudor lane home to a collection of independent retailers and food stores. Often used a quick cut-through between Tavern Street and Buttermarket, take a moment to pop-in and explore the small businesses along The Walk.

Bonbon Chocolate-shop and patisserie, specialising in Italian cookies, homemade fudge, seasonal treats and their famous chocolate brownies.

Bromley & Co Independent gift shop with a love for all things nature and wildlife; stocking quirky cards, artworks, homewares, womenswear and children's gifts.

Pocket Watch & Petticoats Retro glamour boutique with a colourful array of 40s and 50s fashion including swing dresses, wiggle dresses, high-waisted trousers, knitwear and lots more plus a collection of baby and young children's clothing.

Procter's Sausages Luxury food-store and butchers with a wide range of deli products from local farmers and producers; including their famous Suffolk sausages.

---

Along, or just off, the key high street area of the town centre are nestled some of Ipswich's finest independent stores that bring uniqueness to the town. Streets such as Tavern Street, Carr Street and Upper Brook Street are mostly known for the national brands, but look a little closer and you can find some of these indie gems.

Asian & Afro
Global food store; a treasure-trove of fresh produce and store-cupboard ingredients from spices, pastes and sauces to pulses, teas and snacks.

Craftability
Ipswich's best arts & crafts store, a hidden gem filled with materials for artists, makers, bakers and hobbyists; a one-stop-shop for anything creative.

DJV Boutique
Women's clothing store specialising in French style and handbags plus makeover packages and personal shopping services.

The Fair Trade Shop
An independent store where fair-trade gifts and eco-friendly household items come together.

---