Shop Local in London - Best Independent Stores

The pandemic has hit our homegrown independent shopkeepers the hardest – and there’s a wealth of truly brilliant boutiques right on your doorstep.

If you want to while away an afternoon in a new part of town there’s a section dedicated to 12 of the finest, littlest high streets — from the eclecticism of Peckham’s Bellenden Road to the ridiculously tasteful indies of Clapton’s Chatsworth Road.

Aida

This Shoreditch boutique is brilliant for discovering chic and affordable indie labels, from the local (E8 Miista, Elia B) to the far-flung (Minimum, Des Petit Hauts). There’s a wealth of menswear too - think Excelsior kicks and Rains anoraks – as well as homeware including Earl of East candles and Hoxton Mini Press books. The cute in-store café is also reopen for takeaway coffees. Open Thursday to Sunday only.

133 Shoreditch High Street, E1, 020 7739 2811

The Cross

One of the original – and still one of the best – independent lifestyle boutiques in London, this Holland Park gem boasts well-selected womenswear, eclectic homeware and great gifts. But this shop is as much about West London’s smallest style set as it is their mums, with its hotchpotch of toy-box must-haves and mini-me pompom bags and Breton tops.

141 Portland Road, W11, 020 7727 6760

The Old Cinema

Housed in a former Edwardian picture house, The Old Cinema is billed as London’s only antique, vintage and retro department store and is home to a collective of dealers. Attracting a high class of international interior scourers, the variety of treasures in this family-run emporium is ever-changing and particularly well-versed in kitting out home studies thanks to its wealth of mid-century desks. They also boast a bespoke furniture workshop and an antique restoration service.

160 Chiswick High Road, W4, 020 8995 4166

Roullier White

The back room in this unassuming shop in East Dulwich is home to the biggest selection of rare and unusual perfumes in the UK – none of which you will recognise, but all of which have the potential to become your new signature scent. The front showroom also stocks the full range of Mrs White’s natural products: a cult line of old-school cleaning products and body lotions inspired by the owner’s great grandmother’s sworn-by recipes.

125 Lordship Lane, SE22, 020 8693 5150