Best Independent Shops in Chichester

Dubbed as the ‘Narnia of Chichester’, you’ll find everything you need to take care of your inner-self at The Barn.

Nestled in ‘Little London’ -  a secret courtyard in central Chichester home to a multitude of independent businesses within itself - The Barn is a lifestyle hub celebrating all things slow food, community and wellness.

Step inside to find a restaurant serving delicious local, seasonal food to balance your soul, as well as an espresso bar and bakery counter. The Barn is a strong supporter of The Slow Food Movement and championing local food and you’ll see this reflected in everything on offer.

But it's not just food that’s designed to make you feel great. Find everything you could need to improve your inner zen on the shop shelves; from wellness and fashion books, to greeting cards, candles, knitware and homewares.

There’s no better place to buy a beautiful gift than from what is one of Chichester’s most beautiful shops.

In a red brick building adorned with flourishing hanging baskets, you’ll find Winter's Moon, one of Chichester’s thriving independent gift and homeware shops. 

Selling beautiful things for living and giving, Winter's Moon brings together a collection of modern, fairtrade, UK-made and vintage items, many of which are created exclusively for the shop.

Aside from the wonderful gifts and homeware items you’ll find on offer, what makes Winter's Moon thoroughly unique is its regular workshops.

Taking place over most weekends, each half-day and full-day workshop focuses on a different skill, giving you the chance to hand-make beautiful creations for your home.  With everything from a Paper Peony Workshop, Beginners Macrame and Block Printing for Textiles to Tapestry Weaving and Chicken Scratch Embroidery.

When it comes to independent eateries, you’re spoilt for choice in Chichester, with independent cafés and restaurants a plenty.

For vegans and vegetarians, find a great selection of mouthwatering meat-free dishes at the newly refurbished and super stylish Fat Fig on Chichester’s South Street. Mixing up Mediterranean flavours with the comforts of the English kitchen, this exciting independent restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Menu favourites include vegetarian and vegan breakfasts, pancakes, eggs fat fig style, lasagna al forno verdo and vegetarian musakka.

For meat lovers, head to The Sty in Chi at the top end of Chichester’s North Street. Having worked together on many Hampshire and West Sussex Hog Roast events,  the brains behind The Sty in Chi, Angie and Jason, have now partnered their talents to bring you this first class city centre service.

Offering eat in and take away, you’ll find a huge range of all day breakfasts, street food, baps and salads on the menu. Choose from popular options including the Ham-Boree bap (honey and mustard glazed gammon slices with mustard, gravy or chutney sauce), loaded Yorkshires, the Moo Yorker (beef patties with BBQ pulled pork, cheese, mixed leaf salad and chipotle mayo in a brioche bun) and loaded fries.
 

There are a whole host of independent clothes shops in Chichester, but two rule the roost when it comes to ethically and sustainably produced clothing. 

For sustainably produced womenswear, Albaray, located on East Street, is an independent pandemic-born brand created by an all-female trio with over 25 years in the fashion industry. Believing that sustainable fashion doesn’t have to compromise on quality, or cost the earth, this successful brand is now expanding to to other locations with it’s first store in Bath having opened this May.

Inside Albaray, you’ll find a range of versatile styles to stand the test of time; from wear anywhere dresses to feel-good loungewear.

After ‘booty calling’ Chichester’s high street with pop-up shops for years, sustainable outdoor clothing brand Gnarly Tree opened its first permanent home in 2022.

The store, which can now be found in East Dean - just 15 mins by car (or 35 mins by bus) from Chichester City Centre, has a strong focus on respecting the environment, valuing workers and building a community of like-minded people who enjoy good design and adventure. Inside, you’ll find a great range of ethical outdoor apparel for men, women and children, in addition to HOST Coffee; another great independent initiative from Chichester.
 

Eat. Create. Hang out. Repeat.

If this motto doesn’t give you a taster of what Jam Café is about, then we’re here to help.

Based in the heart of Central Chichetser, Jam is a community café where everyone is welcome. All profits made by the café power the charitable causes by its charity Creative Beatz, helping young people thrive.

In addition to great food (including toasties, paninis and pizza), amazing coffee and the chance to be part of the community, Jam Café has a selection of crafting activities and musical challenges for you to get involved in during your visit.

Showcase your talents at one of Jam’s weekly open mic nights, get competitive at the family and friends night, or keep an eye out for monthly events including live music and exhibitions. There’s always plenty to do.

Thanks to the popularity of the famous Goodwood Revival, you’ll find the streets of Chichester adorned with vintage clothing shops. Whether you’re shopping for the event, or for everyday vintage finds, you won’t be short on choice.

Having recently relocated to South Street in Chichester’s City Centre, Cherry Vintage is a retro vintage store offering everything you’ll need to conquer the world. From comfortable and colourful dungarees to eye-popping dresses, you’ll find quirky fashion on offer for all shapes, sizes and ages here. Brands stocked include Collectif, Lady Vintage, Hell Bunny and Unique Vintage; but most importantly you’ll also find unique items from local independent creators including Isabella Josie Bespoke Millinery and Mac and Tees Jewellery. With a focus on fun fashion for everyone, this is guaranteed to be one fun-filled shopping trip.

If you’re on the hunt for a unique and treasured gift, look no further than a piece of bespoke jewellery.

At the family-owned Timothy Roe Fine Jewellery on Chichester’s South Street, the focus is on controlling all the critical stages involved in jewellery making to create a true, bespoke masterpiece. Unlike many other jewellers who combine components from other jewellery suppliers to make an ‘original’ piece of jewellery, Timothy Roe Fine Jewellery guarantees you’ll walk away with an original, bespoke gift for you or a loved one.

While the shop itself is looking fantastic thanks to its brand new refurbishment, you can still rely on the exceptional standards that Timothy Rowe himself dreamed of when he first started working in the industry back in the 1970s.

You don’t have to walk away with an item in a bag to feel that you’ve supported Chichester’s fabulous independents. With a wealth of hair and beauty establishments adoring Chichester’s City Centre, it would be rude not to pop in for a pamper on route!

One of Chichester’s great independent success stories is Hannah Prior Beauty. Having started in 2018 with just one therapist and one treatment room, Hannah Prior Beauty is now a fully-fledged beauty salon in Eastgate Square, with a full team of beauty therapists, hairdressers and make up artists.

Offering affordable, luxury treatments, you’ll find everything you need for a full pamper, from relaxing facials and rejuvenating massages to waxing, advanced facial treatments and manicures.

The bar at Purchases is the perfect place to meet friends for a cocktail and the list is extensive and delicious. We love how Purchases supports our local vineyards too and you can enjoy a glass of Tinwood or Ashling Park on a balmy summer's evening on the terrace (heated for cooler evenings). The restaurant offers a pre theatre menu, a la carte, Sunday lunch or lighter bites so there’s something to suit every occasion. With a boutique hotel upstairs and self-catering options across the city, Purchases is an independent business Chichester can certainly be proud of.

Last but certainly not least is a new and exciting independent business offering an experience to remember in Chichester.

Whether you’re an art buff, a supporter of local talent or are simply seeking something new to do in our fabulous city, Kunst Gallery opened its doors in late 2023 and has been making an impact on the city ever since.

Located on South Street, you’ll find a wide range of work inside. From a Bansky print and work by James Hewlett – made famous for his Gorillaz artwork  – to coffee (with accompanying artwork of course) by Fat Boy Slim and a great selection of pieces from local artists, this gallery really packs a punch. 

Of course, you can buy art here too. With everything from Bansky prints for £1,800 to £60 poster prints, you can walk away with a treasured item, but walk in admirers are very much welcomed too.