It’s been a tough year for high streets up and down the UK, with boarded-up shops becoming an all too familiar sight. However, there is one small town that continues to buck the trend with thriving independent shops and a famous market.
Bridport, located just a mile and a half from the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, could just be the ideal place for Christmas shoppers to visit this year. With 200 independent shops, 35 national chains and a bustling bi-weekly street market, the town has everything a shopper needs.
Bridport is home to RJ Balson and Son, which is widely regarded as the oldest continuously trading family business in the UK. The butcher was founded by Robert Balson in 1515 and has been led by 25 generations of the same family since.
It continues to sell a variety of meats, including homemade traditional sausages as well as elk, boar, ostrich and duck. The butcher also sells turkeys for Christmas, which are sure to be in high demand.
Another iconic shop in the town is Snooks the Hatters, which claims to hold the largest stock of Panama hats in Europe. The business was founded in 1896 and continues to thrive in Bridport today.
Elsewhere, there are a number of vintage and antique traders, record shops and book stores in Bridport. For those after galleries and art shops, the Sladers Yard Gallery and Artwave West Gallery are most popular.
Bridport also hosts a popular street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays every week. It attracts thousands of people at a time and takes place in the three main streets – West Street, South Street and East Street.
The market offers a range of traditional goods, including crafts, local food, antiques and homewares. It is expected to be particularly busy in the build-up to Christmas.
Bridport Market has an impressive 4.4 out of 5 overall rating on TripAdvisor from 163 reviews. Out of those, 94 people gave the market a perfect 5 out of 5 score.
Vanessa said: “It’s probably one of the best high streets we’ve visited for a long time! The market just adds to it with all it’s stall and live music playing, plenty of seating area and some great shops! Well done Bridport! We will definitely be back one day.”
Sarah L wrote: “Good quality vintage homewares, jewellery, clothing. Great selection, big market including country foods, bedding plants, crafts, sheepskins, wooden stools made in front of you, loads of coffee shops, refill shops, musicians, benches to sit on, charity shops, great pubs. A good day out.”
ROB put: “Great place to go, we went Saturday lot of traditional stall selling food and vegetables etc, lots of antique stands with wide choice of antiques, band playing, antique quarter near police station with lots of small shops, plenty of parking a great place to go.”
Maxinem added: “A very busy market day on a sunny Saturday today. Lots of stalls selling interesting items. Food, clothing, tools, jewellery, toys and much more.”
John agreed: “Great shopping experience nice to see some different shops rather than the generic high street you see in every other town also the market has some great independent stalls.”
