A bit about me: I’m not a Stray Ferret staffer, I’m a consumer journalist who loves shopping and loves Harrogate.

This month, I’ve been a bit further afield – just away from the high streets and a short walk out of the town centre.  Here's a small selection from the amazing range of independent shops I found. I hope you can pay them a visit too.  Enjoy.

The items I have picked are my personal choices – I haven’t been paid to feature them.  

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HG KIDS T-SHIRT, Tiger Fifty 7, 57 Cold Bath Road.  £24 - £34

Editor’s Choice: “These T-shirts promote Harrogate, kids, and mental health.  Three good things.”  Tiger Fifty 7 has joined forces with Wellspring Therapy and Training, a local charity based in Starbeck that provides much needed counselling for adults and young people – many of whom as we know have really struggled during the pandemic.  Wellspring clients are asked to pay what they can afford and the charge for those on income-related benefits is much reduced. The T-shirt comes in three designs and is available in sizes to fit toddlers to adults and  £10 from each sale goes to Wellspring.  Please support. https://wellspringtherapy.co.uk

 

You’ll also find gorgeous gifts, toys and clothing for newborns to teens as well as pre-loved kids’ high-end clothes.  And Tiger will help you sell your outgrown designer items via their website. Another good idea.  Oh yes and kids can play downstairs whilst you shop.

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VINTAGE KIMONO, Catherine Smith Vintage, 57A Cold Bath Road. £125.

Editor: “Er, can I have two favourites?”  Well just this time.

Next door on Cold Bath Road, this is a seriously good vintage clothes shop.  The owner somehow sources major pieces, including my personal favourites – seventies labels like Ossie Clark (how does she do it? I presume it’s a trade secret) – but also designer staples like Hermes and Armani.  So you’ll find high end label garments in perfect condition (Armani tuxedo trouser suit for £245 anyone?) as well as more affordable nightwear, lovely summer dresses, silk scarves, jewellery, mens’ accessories and more.

 

A good selection of authentic Japanese vintage kimonos – short informal jackets traditionally worn over kimonos – caught my eye.  They would look great with jeans, and they’re perfect for a festival (if you can find one).

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DUBARRY BOOTS, Brown Trout &Co, 26 Cold Bath Road. From £329

Not THE Dubarry boots that I’m confidently informed 80% of Harrogate women already have (the welly-shaped leather and suede mix ones), this slimmer fitting pair is from their ‘lifestyle’ range.

The Brown Trout is a treasure trove of all things country pursuits, particularly shooting and fishing related.  You can buy a pair of shooting socks (fringed, patterned, they go just beneath your shooting breeks and they’re a work of art), beautiful salmon flies tied in Yorkshire, or a session with a fly fishing or shooting tutor.  Gift cards available.

 

 

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HORNSEA CORNROSE TEA AND COFFEE JARS, Bo’Grove Antiques and Vintage Emporium, 53 Grove Road.  £8 each

Hornsea Cornrose Pottery (one of the iconic designs from the family firm formerly based in Hornsea, in East Yorkshire), is collectable and these jars will sit well with the mid century furniture lots of us are going for now.  This is a good price.

As well as an antiques centre (there’s a selection of homewares, retro childrens’ toys and should you need them, vintage tools) you’ll also find a lovely café and a good range of plants for sale too.  Bo’Grove has recently expanded into town, with a greengrocers on Commercial Street and a vintage store and café on Oxford Street.  But don’t forget the original: Bo’Grove is an out of town gem well worth the visit.

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THAI SILK COAT, Circa Vintage Boutique, 24 Regent Parade. £45

Staying vintage, this Thai silk coat is particularly gorgeous and perfectly tailored.  From the iconic label Siam Macha, its 100% silk and hand woven.  It is a size 8 though!  Already well known for their clothes, Circa have recently expanded their vintage bric a brac, homewares and furniture and added original contemporary homewares (candles, prints, giftcards etc) to their range, so they’re well worth a visit whether you’re buying for yourself or a lucky friend.

 

 

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CONICAL BAG, Shine, 130 King’s Road.  £18.50

Shine is a great shop for gifts: with really reasonably priced, lovely jewellery, scarves and wraps and soaps and lotions, they also have a good selection of bags.  There’s an Italian soft leather range but they also do some really elegant synthetics for the vegan-inclined among us.  This ‘Conical Bag’ (which has a shoulder strap as well as a hand strap) looks very expensive, but it’s not.

 

 

 

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Read More: 

• Secret Shopper: Harrogate homeware gifts and clever essentials


• Secret Shopper:  Bling, blouses and boxes from Harrogate's independent stores

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