Supporting Small Businesses: No. 1 High Street

Supporting Small Businesses: No. 1 High Street

Welcome to the seventh edition of my Supporting Small Businesses series. I would like to introduce you to a lovely little shop which is local to me. Somewhere you can visit for that perfect gift for someone you love or even just to treat yourself. After all, in times like these we all deserve a treat, don’t we?

No. 1 High Street is a wonderful gift shop in Newtown in the heart of Mid Wales. It may only be a little shop, but it’s a little shop with a big heart! Many of the products found at No. 1 High Street are made by Welsh creators and are Welsh-themed, making it the perfect place to shop for a unique gift.

A piece of slate in the shape of a heart with the Welsh word "Cwtch" on it.
A “Cwtch” heart made from slate (A “cwtch” is a like hug or a cuddle).

Liz, the shop owner, always provides a happy smile and a warm welcome when you walk through the door. Here you’ll find homeware (such as signs, ornaments, cushions, picture frames, mugs etc), books, jewellery, greeting cards, toys, bath bombs, soaps and more. There’s a lot to see and buy in this little shop.

Inside No. 1 High Street.
Inside No. 1 High Street.
A corner of No. 1 High Street.
A corner of No. 1 High Street.
Toys at No. 1 High Street.
Toys at No. 1 High Street.

On my most recent visit to No. 1 High Street, I picked up a slate heart for a gift, some Christmas cards and a couple of birthday cards, though I could have bought so much more!

The Christmas cards I bought just happen to be by Driftwood Designs, the first company I featured in my Supporting Small Business series. I love the artwork. I bought two packs of five – The first pack, “Let It Snow”, has the same design on each card, but the second pack, “Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas”, has a slightly different design on each card.

Let It Snow Christmas card.
“Let It Snow” Christmas Cards by Driftwood Designs (Pack of 5).
Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas card.
“Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas” Card (1 of a pack of 5).

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas card.

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas card.

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas card.

Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas card.

This “Best Nan Ever!” card is by Ditsy & Lee, another local company. It’s totally different from any other card I’ve given Nan for her birthday and I love that it was made locally. Sadly, I can’t show you the other birthday card in case the recipient reads this before their birthday!

Best Nan Ever birthday card by Ditsy & Lee.
“Best Nan Ever!” card by Ditsy & Lee.

On a previous visit, around three years ago, I spotted this Welsh dragon cushion and it’s been on the sofa ever since. Silky the cat thinks it’s roaringly good!

Silky the cat and the Welsh dragon cushion.
Silky the cat and the Welsh dragon cushion.

As you can see, No. 1 High Street is a treasure trove of gifts with something for everyone. It’s the perfect place to buy some Christmas presents and support a small business at the same time. Don’t worry if you’re not local, No. 1 High Street has an online shop too!

Wooden heart tags.
“Just a little something to say…” wooden heart tags.
Bath, soaps and other such goodies.
Bath, soaps and other such goodies.
A leather armchair with cushions.
Make yourself comfy with some cushions!

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Please note: I bought these items with my own money and I am in no way affiliated with No. 1 High Street.

26 comments

  1. Kris P says:

    I love shops like this, although they’re hard to find here these days. Decades ago, when I lived in in a beach city about an hour to the north, my go-to store for unique Christmas presents was a place like this in an area with a village feel. I went back there annually even after be moved to a different beach city, until the chain stores moved in and took over the entire area. As the song goes, “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.”

  2. Jayne says:

    Oh goodness, what a fabulous place – I am usually “crashed and burned” in little shops like that. I hope they are able to survive until we can all travel around again.

    But your best shot is most definitely that of Silky and ‘her’ cushion.

  3. Hi Nikki,

    This lovely little shop looks like a true Aladdin’s cave, every inch of space is used and I particularly like the ‘kids corner’.

    The card for ‘Nan’ is gorgeous, bright and bold, just right for todays modern nans.

    This little series of small trader features has been lovely. I just hope that when all this is over and a proper new ‘normal’ exists, that most of these businesses will be able to re-invent themselves and that not too many will have fallen by the wayside, which would be a real shame.

    I hope that all is well with you and yours 🙂

    Yvonne xx

    PS. I just wondered whether you are still reading as much as you used to, only you seldom post about your books any more. I hope that you haven’t lost your reading mojo xxx

    • Nikki says:

      Hi Yvonne, I did lose my reading mojo a little this year, although I have been listening to some audiobooks. I’ve also attended a couple of “virtual” book/author events online, although it’s not quite the same as going to an actual event.

  4. Diana Studer says:

    The sort of shop where I bought some of the treasures in our livingroom – a wooden cat that ‘pours’ down over the shelf, and a wooden train that spells out my husband’s name.

  5. Ah, what a lovely little shop – this sounds right up my street. I’m always on the look out for small gift ideas for friends and little treats, plus it’s wonderful to support local businesses. Well done for showcasing No 1 High Street – I’m sure they’re really appreciative!

  6. Oh my goodness, a shop I could lose myself in; this is just the kind of shop I dream about. Thank you for supporting local businesses, I do fear for them and especially this year when so many have found themselves closed.

  7. Anca says:

    Shops like this one always have lots of interesting items.

    I do my best to support small businesses, as they need all the extra help these days. I bought from etsy, groceries from either small shops, or from an online supermarket (vegan, small when compared with the ones we all know about).

  8. Nancy says:

    Oooh love that you’re showcasing some small businesses on your blog! Love the vibes of No. 1 High Street! Lots of cool trinkets in the shop. Great random gifts for loved ones and all. The cards look so cool – super unique too! Thanks for sharing about this shop!

    Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com

  9. This looks like an absolutely wonderful little shop! Love having a browse of places that are just overflowing with great gift ideas and local products. Will definitely have to check out their online shop – perfect timing for Christmas!

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