Shop local & support our independents
More than ever, the need to shop local and support the small, independent businesses in our hometown is of vital importance. Sure, it’s easy to click on Amazon Prime and get that air purifier 5-stars delivered same day (erm, that may have been me), but I know I’d rather support my local business than continue to feed a huge corporation. Especially right now, when they need the profit to stay afloat. So many shops in Leigh-on-Sea and Southend are offering online shopping, click & collect, home deliveries and will do whatever it takes to make sure you get what you want! There’s even inventive supper clubs delivered to your door, unique cocktails, pop-ups, virtual classes/workshops to help get you through lockdown…here’s a good few we hand-picked for you to consider:
Explore your creative side with Create98 who offer a wide range of classes and courses for anyone wanting to learn something new, or expand on an interest/skill that’s already there. You can currently choose from Virtual Write Club, Beginners Drawing, Free Motion Machine Embroidery, DIY Wedding Flowers, Create98 Cinema and so much more.
Suppliers of real wine, organic and biodynamic farming without synthetic chemicals or additions. This is a charming, intimate shop with really good wine to choose from, all personally picked by the team. You can also subscribe to the excellent Wine Club and order from the shop for local delivery. Vino Vero also serves a range of independent spirits, craft beers, and quality ciders. Throughout lockdown, they provided virtual wine tastings which were a total hit!
Cool, vintage clothes that have been re-worked to find new homes and avoid any wastage. Plastic-free shop with a conscious about the planet. Gift cards available, online shopping, delivery or click & collect.
A professional bartending service providing cocktail deliveries, a pop-up cocktail bar & cocktail masterclasses pre-pandemic. But you can still order cocktails for delivery! A brilliant, fun team of hardworking people who make your Saturday night sing with unique drinks and service with a smile.
A virtual art class combined with a home-cooked feast delivered to your door. Alison Penn, part of the Vino Vero team so she knows her plonk, runs this event as well as running her own supper clubs. Ali, as she’s known, has provided some much-loved dinners during lockdown featuring her homemade pasta, Burmese inspired dishes, home-cooked pies, the works!
The only true Southern American style vegan BBQ in the UK. Situated opposite Chalkwell Park, makes it the ideal place to click & collect then nip across to the park for a picnic (sticking to the government guidelines).
Recently new fruit & veg shop in Leigh-on-Sea, Hayes & Holt are a plastic-free good old-fashioned greengrocers, offering veg boxes for delivery or collection. Very friendly service and a quaint village shop style interior.
A Leigh-on-Sea local staple, Pot Herbs also provides seasonal veg boxes for delivery or collection. A classic greengrocer with years of experience, lots of fresh British produce, and we couldn’t be without it.
Who has needed a card for someone’s birthday during lockdown? Erm, everyone, frankly. Best Wishes, a favourite greetings card shop in Leigh on Sea, remains open via their click & collect service. If you contact the shop with what you’re looking for, the team will do their best to find you the right card then all you need do is pay & collect.
An independent family run business that has been in the heart of Leigh on Sea for 30 years, selling gifts focusing on home and interiors, greeting cards, and accessories. Natural Edge offers online shopping with delivery and/or click & collect service.
A mother and daughter-in-law duo who bake celebration cakes for any occasion as well as cupcakes, traybakes, cakesicles and duffins - unique creations from the dynamic duo. You can order treat boxes from Mrs Barnes’ at the moment and they are accepting custom orders. Vegan and gluten-free very much available.
Superb DIY shop with that friendly, local service that is hard to find. The houseplants and pots in here are inspired and a must for any plant lover! Boni-Vee is a favourite with locals and worth noting for those electrical, decorating, and home DIY needs.
A record shop for heads and non-heads in Queens Rd, Southend-on-Sea. New releases, pre-orders, mailing list with a newsletter option that is entertaining and addictive. Great order & delivery service during lockdown.
Normally a busy, popular Shoreditch-style cafe/restaurant in the hub of Leigh Broadway providing good food, good coffee, live music and a thoroughly good time. During lockdown, Corner Club is doing a weekly themed pop-up menu, available for delivery or collection.
A new NY-style vegan pizzeria in Southend-on-Sea, run by couple Laura and Dan who are passionate about vegan food. After a trip to New York, they were inspired and wanted to provide tasty, vegan pizza to the Southend crowd. Delivery available on certain days via their Instagram , take-away/collection options available.
Tinies was born out of a love and passion for unique, tasty food. A pop-up / take away service available every two weeks, normally specialising in authentic tacos with a twist, doughnuts, sliders with vegan options. Look out for Tinies in 2021.
Legendary Leigh-on-Sea fishmongers, 5th generation family run cockle and whelk processor, open 6 days a week. Currently offering an ‘Osborne’s At Home’ 4-course menu for lockdown, delivery to all SS postcodes or collection from Osborne’s. Before you choose Rick Stein’s ‘At Home’ menu boxes, support your local fishmongers instead!
A brilliant independent toy shop in Westcliff-on-Sea, opened in 1947 and still going strong. Everything from baby and educational to scooters and outdoor to Lego, crafts and books. This toy shop has everything - they provide website orders, deliveries & collections to boot. Well worth supporting this impressive local grotto of toys!
Healthy, seasonal food cooked by top chef John Lawson and his team. Throughout lockdown Food By has been providing 4-course menu hampers, delivered free of charge to your door, so you can enjoy a high-end meal in the comfort of your own home.
