Support local businesses this festive period

Islington’s small, local and independent businesses are at the heart of our local economy and open for business over the festive winter celebrations. We want to celebrate how they:  

• help to create connected communities
• create local jobs 
• breathe life into our neighbourhoods and high streets
• provide a variety of essential goods and services for everyone who lives and works in or visits the borough. 

Play your part to support Islington’s fantastic local businesses and find out what we are doing to help businesses establish, stay and grow in the borough.

How to support local and independent businesses

1. Shop local

Islington’s brilliant small, local businesses are a big part of what makes the borough such a great place to live, work, and visit. Many rely on the festive season to see them through quieter times of the year. You can make a massive difference by choosing to shop for gifts at an independent shop, dine out at a local restaurant, pop to your nearby pub or do your grocery shopping at one of our many markets. 

Discover more on your doorstep on My Virtual Neighbourhood.

2. Leave positive reviews online

Many small businesses need your positive online feedback because it can generate new business for them. It’s free to leave reviews on Google or TripAdvisor, or to give them a shout out on social media. Let others know about your great experience in a local shop, restaurant, cafe, pub or hairdresser with a glowing review.

Let people know about an Islington business you love on social media and make sure you tag us (@IslingtonBC or @IslingtonLife) so we can share your recommendations.

3. Order your takeaway direct

Ordering from local restaurants or cafes is another way to support local businesses. Some third-party delivery apps can charge fees to restaurants, so if you can, order or pick-up from them instead.

4. Buy vouchers and gift cards

Many small and local businesses offer their own gift cards, which is a great gift idea that supports local businesses. Help friends and family to discover a local business that you love by treating them to a voucher. The Local Buyers Club card offers savings at hundreds of small businesses in London – dozens of them in Islington. The club promotes independent businesses and the 'shop local' movement.

5. Recommend to family and friends

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to show your support for small and local businesses. Talking about a small business and recommending them to friends and family will help them get new customers and hopefully get more people to spread the word.

6. Leave a tip

Did you know that employers now have to share all tips by law? That means that when you leave a tip at a local restaurant or business, it will go to everyone who works there. Leave a little (or a lot) to show your appreciation and brighten a local worker's day.

7. Swap your bigger shops and supermarkets for a small business

It may be easier to pop into a big supermarket for a food shop but smaller local shops really value your custom. Try to shop locally and swap in even just one or two products from your weekly shop. You'll be doing your bit and helping a local business, and the local economy.

And as it’s the festive season, small businesses and markets offer lots of original gift ideas and unique finds for that special gift for a loved one. On Black Friday and after, instead of buying online, head to your local high street.

Festive events on your high street 

Islington’s town centres and high streets are vibrant hubs packed with unique shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, lively markets and much more. So, whether you're heading for Angel, Archway, Cally, Finsbury Park, or Nag’s Head and Holloway, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for!

And during the festive season, many of Islington’s high streets and town centres will have a little extra sparkle with free festive events where you can enjoy live music, free mince pies and family-friendly activities. 

Love your local markets 

Islington’s markets are full of independent traders providing a wide range of affordable products. These spaces help bring people in the local community together and are also very popular with tourists and visitors. 

Market Trader of the Year competition

The Market Trader of the Year awards give people a chance to celebrate their favourite local businesses and nominate a trader who goes the extra mile for their customers.

There are two categories: ‘Trader of the year’ and ‘Street food trader of the year’. The winning traders will receive £250 off their stall rent.

You can email a nomination to lovemarkets@islington.gov.uk with the name of the trader and the market they operate in, as well as the reason why they should win. If you don't have access to email, post your nomination to Islington Town Hall, Upper Street, N1 2UD, addressed to Parris Langridge.

The competition is open to traders directly licensed by Islington Council. For example, traders at Camden Passage, Chapel Market, Exmouth Market and Whitecross Street – as well as street traders found across the borough. Look out for the Islington Council stall card.

The competition closes at midnight at the end of Sunday 1 December and the winners will be announced at the council’s festive event at Chapel Market on Saturday 7 December.

How we’re supporting small and local businesses in Islington

Islington's small businesses play a vital role in our local economy and recent challenges, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, have made it more important than ever that our small businesses have access to the support they need to grow and thrive.

There are a range of ongoing and new or upcoming schemes for small businesses that can provide support, help and advice - from recruitment support through to discounted membership to the Federation of Small Businesses. 

Providing affordable workspace

Islington is full of talented, creative and ambitious people. Through our affordable workspace programme, we want to support them to start or grow a business. There are a range of hi-spec, flexible workspaces in Islington. No matter what business you’re in, you’ll find a local space that’s right for you in the heart of London.

Want regular updates about vacancies and free events? Sign up for our affordable workspace bulletin.

Working in partnership: Islington Anchor Institution Network

Together with nine other major employers and key organisations, we're dedicated to working in partnership to boost the local economy and helping to create a more equal borough.

Anchor Institutions employ a lot of people, have significant purchasing power, and own or manage buildings and land. The way they do each of these things makes a significant difference to local communities. The anchor institutions are committed to:

• Employ locally: making sure that as many jobs within the anchor institutions as possible are open and accessible to Islington residents
• Buy locally: supporting existing and emerging local businesses to deliver affordable, quality goods and services to maximise local social value and wealth creation
• Lead locally: managing and developing buildings and spaces to create accessible, sustainable and better assets and places

Community wealth building

For more information about how we are supporting Islington’s local economy, read more about community wealth building and helping to shape a more equal local economy where wealth is fairly shared, and residents and businesses have a genuine stake in their local community.