More than 300 independent businesses help make Chichester city centre one of the South Coast’s most distinctive places to shop, eat, drink and explore.
But spend a little longer inside these businesses and you’ll discover they’re about far more than the products they sell.
From cycling communities and book clubs to creative workshops, wine tastings and welcoming cafés, many of Chichester’s independent businesses have become places where friendships are formed, new interests are discovered and people simply enjoy spending time together.
That’s the inspiration behind this year’s Proudly Chichester, Proudly Independent campaign: More Than…
Throughout July, Chichester BID is celebrating the people, passion and experiences behind the city’s independent businesses, beginning with those that have built communities around what they do.
Bringing people together
Some of Chichester’s strongest communities begin in the most unexpected places.
Just two years after opening on Crane Street, The Guilty Cyclist has become much more than a cycling shop. Owner Kateryna Kryvokhat’ko-Furlong (pictured right) set out to create a welcoming community where riders of all abilities could meet, share experiences and enjoy getting out on two wheels together. Today, regular social rides have become a defining part of the business.
Perhaps nowhere demonstrates how independent businesses continue to evolve quite like Fernleigh. More than a café, it has grown into a lifestyle destination where visitors can enjoy food and coffee together, take part in a workshop, listen to live music, browse the Cowdray Farm Shop, discover independent brands including The Little Botanical and Lola and Toff, join yoga classes, enjoy beauty treatments, work remotely or simply spend time catching up with friends. It has evolved into a true community hub in the heart of the city centre offering visitors so much more than a place to meet.
A few streets away, Robin’s Nest Coffee Shop in Baffins Court has created a different kind of community through its Silent Book Club, bringing people together over a shared love of reading in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Community can be found in many forms across Chichester’s independent cafés too. Real Eating Company on North Street describes itself as “more than a café – a place where everyone belongs”, while Spires Café on Crane Street continues to provide the warm welcome, friendly conversation and familiar faces that keep customers returning long after their first visit.
Inspiring curiosity
Community isn’t always about bringing people together. Sometimes it’s about inspiring people to discover something new.
Former teacher Peter Allinson founded Whirligig on South Street believing the best toys should encourage curiosity, creativity and learning. Every shelf has been thoughtfully curated to inspire children to make, build, explore and imagine, helping families discover toys that offer far more than entertainment.
That same sense of discovery can be found at Cavavin on North Street. Through wine tastings, guided experiences and an impressive collection of wines from France, the New World and local producers, Cavavin has created somewhere people can broaden their horizons, share recommendations and discover new favourites.
This year, Oxmarket Contemporary celebrates its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of supporting artists and nurturing creativity in Chichester. Alongside fellow independent Artisan Gallery, it continues to inspire visitors through exhibitions, workshops and opportunities to discover local creative talent.
More Than…
Every independent business has its own story.
Some create communities. Others inspire creativity. Some encourage us to try something new, while others simply become part of our everyday lives.
Together, they’re what make Chichester city centre about so much more than shopping.
The businesses featured here are just a handful of over 300 independent businesses that call Chichester home. Throughout July, Chichester BID will continue sharing the city’s More Than… stories across our website and social media channels, celebrating the people and places that make Chichester proudly independent.