Small Business Saturday: ‘Shop Local’ in Salisbury

Salisbury’s small businesses and independent retailers rely on the support of both locals and visitors to stay in business, and the campaign aims to encourage people to shop with them.

At Cross Keys Shopping Centre, the Sweets and Sour team is looking forward to their first Christmas in Salisbury.

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The small family business has another store in Egham and is also encouraging people to make small purchases this Christmas.

Manager Victoria Conlan said: “We sell all the imported delicacies, the bigger things are American, all the American Christmas items and we have gift boxes and Christmas selections.

“We also have freeze-dried sweets, which are a big seller because you can’t get them in many places in Wiltshire.”

Linda McKelvie, Victoria Conlan and Christina Flitcroft in Sweets and Sour (Image: Newsquest) The store also sells gift vouchers for gift recipients who prefer to choose their own sweets.

Victoria continued: “We’ve had a lot of people come in and say, I don’t know what to get them, but if you give them a voucher they can spend it on whatever they want when they come to Salisbury.”

Just a few doors away at The Scent Studio, Anna Bobby sells more than 200 different perfumes, some inspired by high-end brands, as well as bath and body products such as soap and bath bombs.

Anna Bobby at The Scent Studio (Image: Newsquest)

Anna said: “They are more affordable, all-natural and longer lasting. What I like to tell people is that all of these products are better because they are all-natural, unlike some of the high street companies – they are oils and they are more durable.

“There are a lot of good smells, they are colorful, natural and affordable. Something as small as a bath bomb as a gift is something nice to use.”

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On Silver Street, Luxury Bubble is one of two branches run by Sian Currie.

Fleur Field in the luxury bubble (Image: Newsquest) Staff member Fleur Field said: “As we are an independent boutique we have a range of different manufacturers so we tend to do small runs. This means Salisbury ladies won’t be walking down the street and seeing someone wearing the same thing.”

As well as the retail section, the Fordingbridge and Salisbury branches have treatment rooms upstairs.

“We love gifts at the moment, we have lots of lovely options for Christmas presents and gifts – we also have homewares upstairs,” Fleur continued, “I think that’s really important.” [to shop local]- if you don’t, the stores won’t survive. “It’s wonderful to see stores doing so well.”

Luxury Bubble also sells gift vouchers that can be used in store.