A bookshop, a barbers, two pubs and a beauty salon are among the businesses named among Sidmouth’s best independent traders.

July was Independent Retailer Month UK - encouraging people to shop locally and appreciate the stand-alone traders who give our towns their individual character.

The initiative was launched in the UK in 2011 to highlight the importance of small independent businesses to the economy of their towns and cities.

Traders such as artisan food producers, coffee houses, quirky arts and crafts shops, vintage clothes retailers and zero waste stores bring a special vibe to local shopping areas. They’re also attractive to visitors, as a contrast to the chain stores and restaurants that are common in most high streets.

Also, by supporting local independent traders, shoppers are keeping money circulating in the local economy, benefiting the suppliers and service providers used by these businesses.

We asked visitors to our Facebook page to nominate their favourite independent businesses in Sidmouth.

They singled out Paragon Books, CT Shave Shop & Barbers, Kylie Howitt Beauty Studios and Fields of Sidmouth. The Volunteer Inn got three mentions, The Courtyard restaurant got two and The Swan Inn was also named.

Sidmouth has many other independent shops and businesses, particularly its small cafes, food takeaways and restaurants. The Mustard Seed Cafe won the Herald's Cafe of the Year in 2023, voted for by readers. 

Nominations closed last week for the Herald's Beauty Therapist of the Year. - the top 10 will be announced soon and voting coupons will be published in the paper later in August.