Created In Kent
Kent Life|December 2017

It’s not easy buying Christmas presents. With so much choice out there, how do you pick the perfect gift? This year, why not see what Kent has to offer?

Francesca Baker
Created In Kent

BUYING local benefits everybody. Research on spending by local authorities shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business, 63p stays in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.

A thriving high street attracts visitors, makes for social-interaction, and builds a nicer community environment.

Your Christmas gift will be unique and special. Knowing the story behind a product and present can make the giving and receiving that much more enjoyable. Here’s a few places to do your Christmas shopping – right on your doorstep.

HAPPY & GLORIOUS 

Happy & Glorious in Cranbrook is not just a positive name but a positive place. Owner Kate Tompsett has been working in retail since the age of 17, starting out online then exhibiting at fairs before renting her first pop-up shop in 2014.

She had a shop in Ashford for a year as part of the regeneration scheme, which gave her the chance to leave her full-time job and test out the high street in an affordable way. In January Happy & Glorious moved to Cranbrook.

Focusing on British-made gifts and homeware came naturally to Kate. “I’m a farmer’s daughter and was always encouraged to buy British goods where possible. I know the provenance behind all of my products and I feel as if I’ve created a little community of wonderful, talented people, and that my shop is at the heart of it all.”

Kate hosts guest artists and workshops in order to open up the space to more people, and create a sense of connection. In store you can find everything from candles, bath treats, cushions and throws to diffusers, stationery, lighting, art and ceramics.

This story is from the December 2017 edition of Kent Life.

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This story is from the December 2017 edition of Kent Life.

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