10 Independent Northern Irish Business I Love to Shop With
Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the UK as a whole are full of fantastic small, independent businesses offering amazing products. I'm fortunate to know some of the talented artisans, entrepreneurs, and craftspeople who run these businesses, and let me tell you, they're truly exceptional. They work hard and are incredibly gifted at what they do.
Why Shop Small and Local?
As someone who lives and works in Northern Ireland, I have a real appreciation for the wealth of creativity and talent on our doorstep. From beautifully designed homewares to stylish children's clothing and artisan gifts, it's everywhere you look.
When you support a small business, you’re not just buying a product. You’re investing in creativity, community, and local dreams. Whether you're shopping for yourself, your home, or your loved ones, independent brands offer quality, originality, and a whole lot of heart.
Personally, I love buying high quality items that have been carefully designed and made, rather than things constructed in a factory on the other side of the world. Knowing a little bit about the person who made them makes these products even more special.
10 Independent Northern Irish Business I Love to Shop With
Listed below, you’ll find a few of my absolute favourite independent Northern Irish small businesses to shop with. Each one brings something unique and wonderful to the table, making them an ideal place to shop for gifts. Self-gifting is also encouraged!
1. Penelope Flowers - Floral Expertise & Contemporary Style
I'm tempted to go into this florist every time I walk by. Based in King's Square in East Belfast, they always have beautiful bunches of flowers and potted plants out front. At Christmas, you’ll find stunning wreaths which are festive, full and bushy. Even just going in for a browse is a lovely experience – it smells incredible and the colours and textures are a feast for the eyes.
2. Book Paper Scissors – For Paper Lovers and Bookworms
Nestled in leafy South Belfast, Book Paper Scissors is a gem of a bookshop and a haven for stationery lovers. Paul and Linda stock a thoughtfully chosen mix of fiction, non-fiction, Irish writing, poetry, and a cute children’s room catering for all ages from newborns to teens.
The shop also offers a beautifully curated range of paper goods, including notebooks that are almost too pretty to write in. I bought one of my favourite fountain pens (a green Lamy) when I was looking for a book to gift to a friend.
3. Cedar and Circle – Christian Bookshop
If you’re closer to the North Coast, I’d highly recommend this Christian bookshop in Coleraine. Roger is so friendly and can help with any query. He knows his books and is really approachable. The bookshop itself is light and airy, and there is an INCREDIBLE children’s area with artwork by Children’s Illustrator Jennifer Davison. As well as a wealth of faith books, you’ll find art and gifts by local makers, so you could be supporting more than one small business at the same time!
4. Man’s Made – Handmade Gifts with Heart
Run by Sara from her home workshop, this artisan brand offers beautifully crafted, faith inspired wooden keepsakes. I met Sara through local markets and pop-ups and she’s an absolute gem.
Man's Made is all about craftsmanship and storytelling. Each piece is carefully designed, made using reclaimed wood, and laser-engraved with uplifting messages, Bible verses, or personalised details. Sara also creates coasters, keyrings, and decorations using birch ply and acrylic.
5. Lemon & Rose – Colourful Practical Gifts and Simple Luxuries
Lemon & Rose is a dream for those who love to give (and receive) beautiful things. In amongst caring for three children in the Sperrin Mountains, Eleanor makes colourful, soft and joyful bags and accessories. Think scrunchies, pouches, coin purses and more with an abundance of beautiful fabric and attention to detail.
6. Asher and Ace – For the Stylish Little Ones in Your Life
Launched in 2022 by sisters Tina and Nicolle, Asher & Ace makes sweet, cosy, and soft everyday children’s clothing. It always makes me smile when I see a little person walking around in a cute hat or sunglasses that I know have come from Asher & Ace.
Excitingly, one of their lovely cosy cream cardigans now comes in adult sizes, with the aim of twinning with your little one. This is a dream come true because it’s the kind of shop that makes you wish all the clothes came in adult sizes too!
7. Cowfield Design – Local Clever Creativity
Cowfield Design is well-known for its clever, contemporary takes on iconic Belfast landmarks – think the Albert Clock as a keyring or the Harland & Wolff cranes turned into stylish homewares. Their products are a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern design, making them ideal for gifts or for adding a touch of Northern Irish pride to your home. We have their Belfast Sink soap dish in our ensuite, and it brings me joy every time I see it.
8. True North Life – Awesome Gear for the Great Outdoors
Jenny designs with functionality in mind, drawing inspiration from her own family and their adventures outside. I particularly love the picnic blanket. It’s so well thought out with a pocket for keys and phones. Very useful if you’re on the beach as it protects them from sand! It’s also supersoft, washable and quick drying with a waterproof base layer. Basically, it does everything it needs to, and more!
Jenny’s suppliers meet ethical working standards, and the fabrics she uses are environmentally conscious. I also love that they give back to the RNLI with every sale.
9. The Bearded Candlemakers – Hand-Poured Irish Candles Inspired by Landscape, Story & Scent
Based in Castlewellan, I came across this small business when I was looking for a candle for my husband that smells like a turf fire. It’s his favourite smell as it takes him right back to his childhood. With a scent developed in-house using a secret smoking process, A Real Turf Fire by The Bearded Candlemakers is the closest I’ve found. I’ve replenished my husband’s stock multiple times.
10. Through Creation Design – Faith Based Handpainted and Lettered Goods
Rachel, the owner of Through Creation Design, is a master painter and hand letterer (and I know one when I see one). She paints wood slices, notebooks, Bibles and custom wedding signage, but also offers prints and cards. A mum of three (including a newborn who came along to her very first market a couple of weeks ago), Rachel makes it look so easy. She’s such a sweet person – what you see on screen is what you get in real life, too!
Through Creation Design on Etsy
Before You Go…
Designed in Northern Ireland and manufactured in the UK, my own small business, And Hope Designs, blends elegance with a generous dose of fun. My online shop is brimming with Christian cards and gifts for all occasions. You’ll also find art prints, mugs, journals, candles, tea towels and an array of other goodies.
Do you have a favourite small, local business I should check out? I’d love to hear about them! Leave a comment below or come and say hello on Instagram.
