Ipswich is a town that has a great mix of independent traders offering a wide range of locally sourced products, hand-crafted items, organic meats, fish and cheeses, antiques and one-off pieces. We guarantee you’ll love our selection of some of the best independents in town.
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Cake & Catwalk |
| Address: | Jerwood DanceHouse, Foundry Lane, Ipswich, IP4 1DJ | Telephone: | 01473 235573 | |
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| Look fabulous for less is the motto of this fantastic shop, set on the Ipswich Waterfront. Find jewellery, scarves, handbags and gifts, and great customer service provided by Lynn Turner. The stock is frequently updated so it worth planning your visits right across the year to make sure you don’t miss on the many lovely items! |
| Additional Information | Cake & Catwalk is based in the Jerwood DanceHouse, home to DanceEast. Next to the shop is DanceEats so when you’ve finished shopping why not stop off for a drink and a bite to eat, and take in the stunning views of the waterfront. |
Craftability |
| Address: | 4 St Lawrence Street, Ipswich, IP1 1DN | Telephone: | 01473 257550 | |
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| If you love crafts then you will love Craftability. It has practically everything you need for your craft project. From cross stitch to dolls’ houses; from pipe cleaners to paints; scrapbooking and so much more. A great shop for children and adults alike. |
| Additional Information | As well as a super craft shop Craftability also puts on a number of craft workshops. These are very popular, so booking is essential if you would to be involved. |
Claude Cox Old & Rare Books |
| Address: | 3-5 Silent Street, Ipswich, IP1 1TF | Telephone: | 01473 254776 | |
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| A completely unique shop. Selling a range of antiquarian books, with Suffolk, Ipswich, arts, being major themes. Browse at your leisure, and we are sure you will find something to capture your interest. |
| Additional Information | Claude Cox is open 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Thursday - Saturday, & Monday to Wednesday by appointment only. |
Central City Comics |
| Address: | 6 Eagle Street, Ipswich, IP4 1JA | Telephone: | 01473 233017 | |
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| If action comics, Spiderman, Batman, X Men, get your attention then you’ll love this shop. Quirky, individual and totally out of this world! Okay, maybe that’s a bit over the top, but if you’re a comic fan you’ll understand. |
| Additional Information | Central City Comics is open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm. |
Coes |
| Address: | 20 Norwich Road, Ipswich, IP1 2NH | Telephone: | | |
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| Established in 1928 Coes in a third generation family business. Priding itself on offering a wide range of quality clothing and provides high levels of service and customer care. This independent shop is well established in the town and has expanded over the years to its current size of 36,000 sq ft. You will find ladies, men’s and children’s clothing, ski wear, sports wear, gifts and accessories. A great example of a thriving independent business in Ipswich. |
| Additional Information | Coes is open 9am to 6pm Tuesday to Saturday. There is parking at the rear of the store. |
Fox’s Chandlery – Marine & Country Store |
| Address: | The Strand, Wherstead, Ipswich, IP2 8SA | Telephone: | 01473 694694 | |
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| Fox’s Chandlery overlooks the beautiful River Orwell, and is the largest chandlery on the East coat. Selling marine chandlery, electronics and sailing equipment, fashion, leisure, outdoor and shooting clothing and accessories, there is something for everyone, whether your interest is on the water or ashore. |
| Additional Information | Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm. When visiting Fox’s Marina take the time to admire the yachts and boats moored in the marina and in dry dock. |
Games & Giggles |
| Address: | 5 The Walk, Ipswich, IP1 1EA | Telephone: | 01473 212171 | |
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| An emporium of fun for everyone. From fancy dress hire to costumes you can buy; wigs, hats, fake sweets, jokes, T shirt printing, and led by a team of staff with a real passion for jokes and fun. Enter at your peril, leave with a belly full of laughter. |
| Additional Information | Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm. |
Jenny Wren’s Yarns |
| Address: | 14 St Peters Street, Ipswich, IP1 1XF | Telephone: | 01473 805208 | |
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| Visit Jenny Wren’s Yarns and you will enter a world of knitting and crocheting, and find yourself surrounded by high quality yarns including Artesano, Debbie Bliss, Louisa Harding, Katia, Jarol, Twilleys, Wendy, Rico and Hoooked Zpagetti. No yarn is complete with needles, crochet hooks and patterns books, and of course all cardigans need buttons which you will find in abundance! |
| Additional Information | Open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm. Check out their website for details of one day knitting and crochet classes, and then go dust off your knitting pins. |
LoveOne |
| Address: | 21 St Peters Street,Ipswich,IP1 1XF | Telephone: | 07711 517787 | |
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| A real gem for anyone looking for vintage and original gift ideas. LoveOne is owned by Cathy Frost who is passionate about showcasing the best local and national designers and makers. Items are individually sourced by Cathy, with stock regularly updated and new designers are frequently being brought in. |
| Additional Information | Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. |
Maud’s Attic |
| Address: | 25 St Peters Street, Ipswich, IP1 1XF | Telephone: | 01473 221057 | |
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| If you are looking for an eclectic mix of jewellery and gifts, furniture, lighting, and more then we recommend you take a visit to Maude’s Attic. A quirky independent retail outlet trading from a centuries old building in the historic Saints area of Ipswich. |
| Additional Information | Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm |
Music World |
| Address: | 16 Queen Street, Ipswich, IP1 1SS | Telephone: | 01473 253666 | |
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| If you love music, then you are sure to love Music World. With 30 years experience of providing musical instruments, accessories and song sheets, this well established, independent music retailer has a strong reputation for quality and customer service. |
| Additional Information | Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm, Sunday 11am to 4.30pm. Part exchange service available, and free taster sessions on musical instruments. |
Out of Time Records |
| Address: | 46 Fore Street, Ipswich, IP4 1JY | Telephone: | 01473 225547 | |
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| Out of Time Records is the only specialist second-hand record shop in the Suffolk area, supplying vinyl and CDs for about 25 years. With an inclusive selection of music, from punk to metal, rock to jazz, blues and hip-hop, reggae, soul and funk, and ranging as far back as the 1960s you’ll soon be reminiscing over long forgotten favourites. |
| Additional Information | Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm. Out of Time Records also buys second-hand vinyl and CDs so if you have some long forgotten pieces gathering dust in the loft space it may be time to bring them back to life. |
Pickwicks Coffee & Tea House |
| Address: | 1 Dial Lane, Ipswich, IP1 1DJ | Telephone: | 01473 254241 | |
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| Once the office of Thomas Wolsey’s secretary, this 16th century building is now home to Pickwicks. If you are looking for a Coffee and Tea House that differs from the High Street chains, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you arrive at Pickwicks. There are 50 varieties of tea and 50 varieties of coffee to enjoy, which can also be purchased from the merchant counter. |
| Additional Information | Pickwicks also has a small courtyard when you eat al fresco (weather permitting, of course). And check out the recent historical find that was discovered during recent refurbishment works by clicking on the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-24623611 |
Proctor’s Sausages |
| Address: | 12 The Walk, Ipswich, IP1 1EE | Telephone: | 01473 281191 | |
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| For traditional artisan-made products sourced locally from free range slow grown pigs, with texture and taste that will leave you wanting more then take a visit to Proctor’s Sausages. And it’s not just sausages they sell – there is a mouth watering selection of delicatessen. |
| Additional Information | Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm. |
Suffolk Food Hall |
| Address: | Wherstead, Ipswich, IP9 2AB | Telephone: | 01473 786610 | |
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| With so much under one roof make sure you allow yourself a good couple of hours when you plan your visit. The Food Hall provides a sumptuous array of locally sourced produce, breads, charcuterie, and continental sweets and chocolates. There is an outdoor play area, ice cream hut (during summer months), and not forgetting the restaurant with stunning views of the River Orwell and surrounding landscape. |
| Additional Information | Times vary for the Food Hall and the restaurant so please check the website for details. Suffolk Food Hall also puts on themed workshops across the year, for both adults and children. From Italian cookery, floristry workshops and art workshops for children there’s something for everyone. Places are limited so pre-booking is essential. |
Wines of Interest |
| Address: | 46 Burlington Road, Ipswich, IP1 2HS | Telephone: | 01473 215752 | |
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| Voted one of the Top 100 Wine Retailers in the UK (Which? Wine Guide) Wines of Interest is a favourite independent retailer in town. Buying direct from the grower, where possible, and sampling each wine to ensure it offers quality, taste and value to meet your expectations. As an independent themselves they specialise in sourcing wines from independent producers with a passion for their product. |
| Additional Information | Open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm. As well as wines from across the globe Wines of Interest also stock a selection of fine Ports, Sherries and specialist Spirits, most of which you will not find on the high street. |
