I just came across this article by Liz Jones of the Daily Mail. Wonderful to be in her Top 5 shops in the UK!
Hail Mary Queen of Shops: here are my top five tiny independent stores
Having reversed the fortunes of small fashion boutiques and charity shops, Mary Portas's new series on BBC2 that begins tonight focuses on the plight of the small independent shop -- the baker and the off licence and the deli. I hate shopping in supermarkets: they lure you in with free parking and cheap food, and you always end up spending £400 on stuff you know will go off before you can eat it. Huge chains like Topshop merely make my head spin. As Mary says in the show tonight, unless we patronise small stores they will disappear from our high streets. Here is my top five ... do feel free to add your favourite local shops
1. Palette London, 21 Canonbury Lane, London N1(020 7288 7428).
This small boutique has the most wonderful collection of vintage fashion from Ossie Clark, Oscar de la Renta, Halston, Chanel et al. The 1970s Guccis is wonderful, as are the bags, shoes and jewellery. The owner is very knowledgeable. Keira Knightley is a fan
2. Pachacuti (above right) is at 19 Dig Street, Ashbourne in Derbyshire (01335 300 003). Don't let the fact it is fair trade and organic put you off: there is delicious knitwear from alpaca wool, Panama hats and a large range of children's wear. A friendly, family run shop in a beautiful part of the world
3. The Dulverton Delicatessen, Somerset. This is my local food shop, and although I am not one for eating or cooking, this shop, run by the beautiful and knowledgable Emily, might well convert me. Local cheeses, juices, cakes, bread and vegetables, as well as the sort of unusual ingredients you expect only to find in London. Emily will order anything you fancy, from vegan cheese to eco friendly firelighters
4. Atelier Abigail Ahern (below), 137 Upper Street, London N1 (0207 354 8181). This is an Aladdin's cave of good taste: finds from Paris flea pits, exquisite chandeliers made from porcelain by local artisans, lamps, candles, Rastafarian floor cushions
5. Mee, 9A Bartlett Street, Bath (01225 442250). Heidi Klein swimwear, trinkets for the home -- a bestseller is a king size velvet throw for £195 -- silk jersey draped dresses by New York designer Yoana Baraschi, a red carpet range of dresses by David Meister. What is different about this lovely little boutique -- Vanessa Paradis is a fan -- is that the sales assistants offer a really personal service, and will spend a lot of time making sure you choose exactly the right outfit