If you’re planning on using more local shops this year, here’s a guide to some of the leading independent businesses to try, as well as some of the great food, drink and products made right here on home soil, from gin stocked in Harvey Nichols to a farm shop selling some of the best pies around.
9. Mackie's Corner, city centre
Mackie's Corner has been a huge success story, a great example of breathing new life into one of the city's few remaining old city centre buildings. After major renovation works, it's now home to a host of independent businesses including Bou-chique womenswear, Fat Unicorn Deli, Master Debonair, The Sweet Petite, Cafe 1851 and Black Door hairdressing. Photo: Stu Norton
10. Colourful cakes and pancakes, Pallion
Love Lily has built up a firm following for its cakes, tray bakes, biscuits and pancakes which come in all manner of flavours, from Snickers cupcakes to Rolo caramel stuffed cookies. While its incredibly popular pancakes are made on site at the tearoom in Roker, much of the baking is done at the bakery in St Luke's Terrace in Pallion. And such is the demand for their sweet treats, that they recently opened an even larger bakery at Pallion Industrial Estate. Photo: submitted
11. Stirks sausages and meat packs, Grangetown
Stirks butchers has become well-known in the city for its meat packs, as well as it unusual sausage varieties, which have been inspired by everything from SAFC footballers, such as the John O'Shea banger, to local drinks such as this salted caramel gin sausage using Poetic License gin. As well as the butchers shop in Grangetown, you can enjoy its produce at The Broadway steakhouse in Grindon. They also opened a great deli in Durham city centre last year in historic Saddler Street. Photo: submitted
12. Müllers bread, Hendon
An institution in Sunderland that dates back 60 years, Müllers bread is some of the best around. Pick up cobs, seeded vita loaves and more at the bakery in Villette Road in Hendon or at its sister shops in Blandford Street and Sea Road. Photo: Charles Müller Photography