Eight independent shops shortlisted for high street award

From a Cornish yarn shop to a Yorkshire herbalist, eight independent retailers have been shortlisted for this year's Love Your High Street Awards, with the public now able to vote for their favourite.

The finalists are a vast and varied mix, spanning a sewing shop in Cornwall, a garden centre in Derbyshire, a herbalist in Doncaster and businesses from Somerset, Bath, Stafford and East Grinstead.

Over 600 nominations were received this year, up from 588 last year, despite a nomination window three weeks shorter than 2025. The shortlist was decided by a panel of four judges, who were given each business's profile and asked to make their picks independently, with most reaching the same conclusions on who should make the final eight.

A Darn Good Yarn in Camborne, Cornwall opened just two years ago but has already become a social hub for the town, running a free after school crochet club for Year 5 and 6 pupils and offering sign language support for deaf and non verbal customers.

Garden King in Swadlincote, Derbyshire has been trading for 26 years and is known locally for its Halloween woodland walk and scarecrow competition, as well as a free summer beach and paddling pool built for families visiting during the school holidays.

Health & Remedy in Chard has been open for less than a year but has already set up Chard Guide, a free community page dedicated entirely to promoting other local businesses rather than itself.

Jackson's, the Herbalists of Yorkshire in Doncaster has been trading since 1933. The 94 year old apothecary stocks around 900 products, 90% of which are made in Yorkshire, and nearly closed for good before being taken on by a new generation of owners.

Not Just Pets, which trades from Frome and Larkhall in Bath, has been serving customers since 2004 and delivers locally for just £1 per order. Its shop dog Ursa has her own following on social media.

Rocket and Bird in Taunton sells the work of 40 local makers, artists and designers. Its founder started the Taunton Independent Quarter campaign and fundraised for three murals in the town, including one of a seagull that went viral.

That Little Bookshop in Stafford opened only a year ago and has already won its local MP's award for Best New Business, hosted 16 independent authors at a showcase event and started a support group for fellow self employed traders.

The Mug Tree Tea Room in East Grinstead has been open for 11 years and was named the UK's Best Breastfeeding Venue twice. Its founder also runs the town's Repair Café and once spent two days delivering drinking water to residents during a five day water outage.