nozza news is all about community over competition, we’re not here for the mega unrealistic “deals” and impersonal shop fronts, thank you very much. Everything you might need for a fab Christmas is right here on your doorstep, and in times when we’re all trying to make things stretch a little further, it has never been more important to shop local and give the local economy a little boost. After all, don't use ‘em, we'll lose ‘em!
But we hear you - it’s nearly December, it's busy, people are starting to enter panic mode etc. etc. So, we’ve got you covered with all the indie alternatives you need to make your Christmas a nozza Christmas.
Words - Fay Austen | Curated Alice Daisy Pomfret
Establishments
Our fine city has no shortage of fantastic shops, independents or arts organisations. So whether you have a Christmas shopping list as long as your arm, want a place to visit with a friend or are after a gift for those people who like “experiences”, nozza is the place to be.
Fortunately for you, there’s no need to hit Google. Some of the best places to try are all right here:
Courage Noble
An independent barber shop offering everything from stellar haircuts to cut throat shaves.
Vintage Apparel
Creatively sourced vintage apparel in the heart of Norwich.
The FirePit Camp
Your very own private camp for festivals, weddings, parties, corporate away-days, glamping and more.
Slayyy Vintage
A 90s vintage clothing store, specialising in unisex t-shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, hoodies, and reworked vintage in brands such as Nike and Adidas.
Ninety Three
A considered selection of independent brands, prioritising style and substance.
Maddermarket Theatre
The “people’s theatre” of Norwich.
Studio Adorn
Handcrafted sustainable jewellery from recycled silver and gold.
Little Lifts
Providing thoughtfully handpicked gifts to support people with breast cancer.
Supply
Second hand streetwear and high-end clothing brands.
Arca Home
Inspired & Impactful Homewares
Lovisa Sorenson
Handcrafted Scandinavian Jewellery
Pascale Store
A curated collection of contemporary and vintage homeware, textiles and ceramics.
SoundYard
A non-profit social enterprise on a mission to teach audio-making skills to people with stories to tell.
Atwin
Consciously curated womenswear, accessories and homewares.
NR Closet
A collection of wearable vintage from selected Norfolk sellers.
Cosmic Jo’s
Unique retro toy and collectibles store and cafe, delivering an immersive experience for families and fans of sci-fi, fantasy and animation.
Jarrolds
Independent department store selling fashion, furniture, beauty, books, gifts and kitchenware.
The Shoebox Experience
Escape games, street tours and much more for those curious about Norwich’s rich history.
DogFish
Street-influenced men's casualwear shop selling designer clothing, footwear and accessories.
Flexx Lex
Unusual collectable art, toys and gifts from some of the world’s most famous brands and artists.
Breathe Easy Pilates
Pilates classes for people of all experience levels with instructor Jane Layfield.
A bit tired after all your shopping, got a family reunion coming up or looking for a place for your work Christmas do? Make a booking or drop into one of nozza’s many bars, pubs, restaurants or cafes. We’ve got some of the finest grub around. Or, if you’re all about recommending places to others, why not get them a gift card - there’s nothing better than knowing you’re getting dinner on someone else!
Drop by one of these nozza-approved places:
Slice + Dice
Board game café and bar serving fresh vegan food.
The Feed
Empowering communities in Norwich through the power of food to ensure that all people have the support to eat well, live well, and feel connected.
Voodoo Daddy’s
Pizza joint and gig venue.
Doxi Cocktails
Small-batch, premium bottled cocktails that are ready to serve.
Two Magpies
Artisan bakery offering a delicious range of bread, cakes, pastries and more.
Little Pie Patisserie
Pop-up patisserie, general catering and supper club host passionate about championing great Norfolk produce.
Danomeys
Diner with a menu inspired by world cuisines and London street food culture.
The Stanley
Homely pub serving Yard and Brick in NR3
Emporium
Brazilian style artisanal chocolate Brigadeiro making thoughtful confections, artisanal chocolates and corporate gifts.
Mayu Retreats
Luxury vegetarian nutrition retreats in Norfolk.
The Bodega
New York style sandwich shop on the historic Norwich Market
The Malt & Mardle
Norwich's first ever micropub serving local real ale and craft beer.
The Beer Hatch
The finest beers from breweries across East Anglia, now situated in their very on bottle shop.
Loaf
Award winning neighbourhood bakery serving home-made sourdough, sweeter treats and delicious single origin coffee.
Harrow & Fearn
Single-origin coffee, baked goods and expertly-sourced wines sold using a unique wine refill system designed to reduce the waste and bottles sent to landfill.
The Arthichoke
Thoughtfully sourced, seasonal cuisine, craft beers and natural wines in a warm, traditional pub.
Woolf & Social
A trusted spot for good food, drink and company. Please note they are closing end of Dec 2023. Make sure you support their last few weeks.
Folks Coffee
A modern coffee concept focused on creating amazing spaces for folks to socialise and enjoy.
No 33
Brunching institution/ hub for the people of Norwich to unite in their passion for brunch, coffee, and cake.
Bar Cerdita
Tapas restaurant serving delicious traditional and innovative tapas dishes with locally and Spanish-sourced ingredients.
Wrights Cafe
Posh cheese toasties, speciality coffee, brunch, homemade treats and more in the heart of Norwich.
Blue Bear Coffee
Selling ethically-sourced, single-origin specialty coffee to raise money and equip and empower survivors of human trafficking.
Dick’s Cafe
Americana style food, good coffee and alcoholic drinks drawing influence from bars and eateries from across the USA.
The Weavers Arms
Freehouse pub and beer garden serving up a range of pub classics.
Logans Sandwich Bar
One of the oldest sandwich shops in the city selling a variety of sandwiches, jacket potatoes, salads and cakes.
Strangers
Specialty coffee roastery and coffee shop located in the Norwich Lanes.
The Steampacket
Proper pub and British restaurant in the city centre.
Brick & Yard
The classic home of the pizza Brick, their sister brand Yard is a great stop off for some pasta goodness.
The Bun Exchange
Norwich burger brand currently operating out of the Micawbers.
Dark Room Chocolate
Craft chocolate makers creating delicious dark chocolate from just two ingredients - cacao and sugar.
Bubba Kitchen
Kitchen and bar serving a range of burgers, loaded fries, fresh pittas and southern fried drinks, plus a variety of drinks.
The Junkyard Market
Global street food and drink market hosting host a number of traders serving street food, cocktails, wines and beers.
Seoul Born
Brand new Korean takeaway shop from the masterminds behind The Kimchi.
Buffalo Coffee Brewers
Specialty coffee shop serving a range of guest coffees and more.
Cornish Bakery
Bakery with Cornish roots sets up shop in Norwich.
The Hatch, Cromer
Falafel, Coffee, Smoothies hitting Cromer Jan 2024
Fika
Coffee shop focused on quality, hoping to strip away some of the barriers people perceive in coffee culture.
Sir Toby’s Beers
Craft ale and beer sold on Norwich’s market.
Slice on the Lanes
Pizza and dessert spot in the Norwich Lanes.
Bare Food Deli
No-fuss deli stocking items from local suppliers and producers
Chet Valley Vineyard
Vineyard and winery producing a range of English wines.
Movers & Makers
If you’re the kind that is always stuck for Christmas gifts, we would always recommend looking to some of Norfolk’s creatives for inspiration. From ceramicists, to jewellery makers, painters to woodcrafters, there is something to be found for everyone. Unlike some of the big shops (we’re not naming any names!), you can rest assured that all items you buy from local creatives are carefully crafted and made with love - they’re just that little bit extra special.
Find your match made in arty nozza heaven with some of these lovely makers:
Gould N Lathe
Hand turned and carved wooden gifts for the home.
D.Read
High-quality clothing and art made from ethically-sourced fabric and materials.
Dottie Maie
Curated collections of heirloom pieces to bring lots of joy, inspire storytelling and support slow living. Collections include ‘mini’ items for kids and ‘mama’ gifts to support motherhood.
Victoria Catten
Colourful prints and accessories inspired by the nostalgia of childhood in the Norfolk countryside.
Julia Triay
Illustrator and printmaker offering hand-printed, limited edition lino prints made with linseed oil based ink and packaged with eco-friendly materials.
Sweet Honey Dew
T-shirts and art prints featuring a range of slogans and icons, plus a variety of homeware, all inspired by Rock ‘n’ Roll, western and pop culture.
Maya Law
Norwich singer-songwriter with noughties R’n’B, neo-soul and folk influences.
Alex Harvey Ceramics
Small batch, hand thrown and hand-painted ceramics, made from stoneware clay.
Lewis Gant
Norwich based portrait photographer.
Studio Grrr
Vibrant art and graphic design conjured from a shared love of pop, colour and pattern, inspired by the layering found in street art and the beauty of nature.
P.arc
A multidisciplinary design studio, covering architecture, interiors, furniture and more.
Hannah Hunnam
Independent wedding and event florist offering bespoke floral styling which celebrates seasonality, colour, movement and flair.
Joyce of All Trades
Helping soulful artisans, makers and doers shape clear, confident and authentic brands.
Design Smith
Designer, printmaker, and illustrator creating limited-edition prints that merge traditional and contemporary techniques and draw inspiration from everyday objects.
Phase Shifter
Curator of music events and gigs in our fine city.
Invisible Works
Multi-disciplinary artist, maker and doer with a stunning range of photography prints.
Civil Block Microsoapery
Small batch, environmentally-friendly British soap made using traditional methods.
Linda Tagliavini
Self-taught illustrator and mural artist, currently working on a range of colourful, ‘A Norwich View’ illustrations.
Parallel Point
Artist, curator and facilitator who develops a variety of independent, nationwide projects under the name of Parallel Point.
Jenni Murphy
Original art that celebrates life’s heartfelt and hilarious stories.
Norfolk Makrs
Small artisan workshop and an extended group of makers offering a limited and changing range of handmade products.
Lou Clarke
Handmade jewellery, homeware and prints for body lovers and statement makers.
I Like Pens Studio
Designer, illustrator and crafter offering bespoke and customisable stationary plus venue and floral illustrations.
Posy Flowers
Independent flower studio curating fresh flowers into colourful, fun designs.
Dalia Courridge
Experienced marketing consultant and abstract, expressionist artist.
Morwenna Farrell
Thrifted vintage clothes screen printed with illustrations, creating wearable art for everyone.
Liv Paints Buildings
Watercolour house portraits from architectural illustrator, painter and printmaker.
Rizzo Studio
Communication design and creative print studio, producing bold risograph prints and more.
Band of Starlings
Minimalist jewellery inspired by astronomy, geology and the Norfolk coast.
Meg Yaxley
Digitally produced animated short films plus illustration and life drawing.
Anna Martin
One of the UK’s few independent rug-designer/ makers, creating bespoke art for the floor.
A design practice
Female-founded studio and store focusing on crafting publications with cultural institutions, publishing houses and makers.
Dinky Circus
Contemporary kidswear combining workwear influences alongside fun playful graphics.
Slow Made Goods
Timeless, handcrafted products combining traditional and contemporary techniques.
Bosanko Prints
Artist, printmaker and arts educator based in norwich.
Joshua Paul Works
Hand drawn and painted artworks celebrating the beauty within design and architecture.
Juniper Calluna
One-off artisan pieces made using vegetable tanned leather, including keyrings, trays, wallets and bags.