The best independent shops in Brighton

Abode Living

Best for: Interior dreamers 

If you dream of curating cosy coffee corners, soothing spaces and snug reading nooks in your home, then look no further than Abode Living. They offer a range of carefully sourced interior accessories, lighting, tableware and soft furnishings, helping you find your style and add personality to your home. You can shop both in-store and online - their pocket-sized shop is situated in the North Laine area, where you’ll find an interesting mix of design-led tableware, rattan mirrors and vintage travel posters. And just around the corner you’ll spot Coffeetzar, a chic coffee shop, making for the perfect pitstop before a day of wandering The Lanes.

Tidy Street Store

Best for: Considered women’s fashion

Continue through North Laine to discover Tidy Street General Store, a little gem on a pretty street corner. Everything within the store is incredibly considered, offering quality women’s clothing. Less is more when it comes to shopping sustainably, at the Tidy Street Store you’ll find a beautiful selection of long-lasting pieces and wardrobe staples that you’ll cherish for years to come. Discover French-label clothes, chunky scarves, stunning jewellery and woven baskets, with each purchase feeling extra special. Pop next door to Black Mocha and indulge in a gooey cake or sample their dense and complex range of espressos - a must when in Brighton!

Books for Amnesty 

Best for: Second-hand reads 

You can’t miss this vibrant pink bookshop on Sydney Street in the North Laine area. As a second-hand charity shop, Books for Amnesty is a community hub which has been supplying donated books to the people of Brighton since 2007. It's staffed by volunteers and all profits are donated to Amnesty International UK -  a grassroots human rights organisation. Everyone is warmly welcomed to discover their wide range of captivating books, from contemporary fiction and children's books to poetry and social sciences. It’s not just for book lovers though, they also sell greeting cards, ethical gifts and vinyls, and host open mic nights for local creatives to share their poetry and musical talent. 

Hi Cacti

Best for: Houseplants 

Say hello to Brighton’s botanical boutique, where you’ll find cacti, easy-care houseplants and funky handmade homewares. Situated in the Seven Dials area of the city, owner Sabina Palmero, who moved to England from Texas, has curated a sunshine space - picture a Tex-Mex meets Palm Springs kind of vibe. Sabina hand makes all of her concrete cacti pots which are for sale and you can pick up her book Growing Houseplants & Happiness in-store or online. Plant parents will simply adore this little shop, which also sells botanical-inspired prints, western throws, essential oils and tarot cards.

Seven Cellars

Best for: Wine

Another gem in the Seven Dials area of Brighton is Seven Cellars, an independent wine merchant and taproom offering a personable experience. They stock fine wines from across the globe, craft beers, spirits and award-winning Sussex beverages - their knowledgeable team are on hand if you need any advice and they often run exciting tasting nights. The shop has an authentic vibe, with the original tiles and hatch from what used to be an old butcher’s shop. Know an aspiring wine connoisseur? Why not get them a monthly subscription to the Seven Cellars wine club, where they’ll receive a selection of four wines per month with tasting notes, background information and food-matching advice. Or how about a gift card so they can select their favourite tipple? If you’re travelling to Brighton by train, Seven Cellars also has a cute little shop in the station so you can grab a bottle or two before heading home! 

Dowse

Best for: Funky ceramics 

Dowse is a small studio shop located on Gardner Street in the North Laine area of Brighton. Inside, you’ll find a whole range of art to inspire your space, from vibrant prints and textiles to handmade jewellery and ceramics. Local, independent makers handcraft everything in-store with a  whole host of brands so you can find all your favourites in one spot. Their colourful pieces are sure to bring joy to a rainy day! After, pop into Pelicano - an effortlessly cool coffee shop with a laidback vibe, perfect to recharge between wandering the bustling Lanes.

Snoopers Paradise

Best for: Vintage gems 

Brighton’s renowned flea market is situated in the heart of the bohemian North Laine and is a paradise for lovers of all things vintage. With over 90 completely unique traders, it’s one of  the best flea markets in the UK. Wander its rambling walkways and hidden nooks to discover a wide range of vintage delights, including eclectic homeware, retro furniture, original artwork, vintage clothing, antiques, rare vinyls and collectables… the list is endless! So, why not get lost in the otherworldly magic that is Snoopers Paradise and find some unique treasure to keep, gift or wear. Happy hunting! 

Hisbe

Best for: Ethical local produce 

Hisbe stands for ‘how things should be’ and they aim to transform the food industry by challenging the way big supermarkets do business. They value farmers, animals and the planet. This isn’t a health food shop, nor are they exclusively vegetarian or vegan, Hisbe are simply a regular supermarket operating ‘how things should be’ - by sourcing only local, seasonal and ethical produce, working with brands that trade responsibly, fairly and sustainably. Their dried goods refill station has proven to be so popular they have now completely removed all packaged alternatives. Find these ‘supermarket rebels’ on York Place, just down the road from Brighton train station - you won’t miss their bright blue storefront! 

Gunns Florist

Best for: Beautiful bouquets

This family-run florist has been creating beautiful bouquets for over 100 years. Now with three locations in Brighton and Hove, they really are a celebration of shopping small. Each store is a little bundle of happiness, offering the loveliest selection of fresh and dried flowers, houseplants and seasonal bouquets. Their original store has been trading in the trendy North Laine area for two generations, keeping its original charm; while their second store is on Castle Street with a gorgeous shopfront displaying beautiful botanicals, and Portland Road Store is situated in an area known as Poets Corner in Hove. It’s right next to The Flour Pot Bakery, where you’ll be tempted inside by the smell of freshly baked bread and sweet cinnamon delights…

Workshop Living

Best for: Luxury living

Workshop Living is the epitome of an aesthetic space, with its neutral tones and spacious shop floor, the entire store is utterly soul-soothing. They embrace slow-living, simplicity, and sustainable practice, while valuing connection with the community, land and nature. Applying a mindful and meaningful approach to their products craft and manufacture, they aim to curate aesthetic spaces and dreamy wellness products. As a luxury lifestyle store, they have everything you could wish for to turn your dream space into a reality, from candles inspired by the elements of our natural world to bespoke kitchenware. They also stock sustainable skincare, body care and fragrances like Land & Water, which makes the perfect wellness gift. Their store is located on Prince Albert Street, just a stone’s throw from the pebbled shore of Brighton Beach. 

Staying near Brighton 

Our magical selection of Sussex hideaways are just perfect for those wishing to explore the bustling Lanes of Brighton. With somewhere truly tranquil to retreat to at the end of each day, exploring this eclectic city will be a dream staycation! From a colourful little hut with a wood-fired hot tub to an enchanting treehouse nestled in a magical tree canopy, find something perfect for you in Sussex.