What Colchester's independent businesses offer in city centre

From cosy cafes and boutique stores to fun activities and specialty retailers, these local enterprises have not only survived but thrived, breathing life and personality into the heart of the city.

We popped into the centre of Colchester to have a browse in the many indy businesses to see what they have to offer.

It was a Wednesday afternoon, and the streets were busy with students coming out of school and shoppers browsing the quaint lanes.

Lanes - Colchester's independent lanes, including Short Wyre Street (pictured), are packed with unique businesses (Image: Newsquest)

We both often pop into the city centre but didn’t realise the vast range of independent shops and all the items available in them.

One thing that stuck out to us was the number of electrical shops and shops selling vapes - there seemed to be quite a few on just one road.

Several shops were advertising that they had KSI and Logan Paul’s Prime drink in stock – with many businesses competing on price.

Independent bakeries and cafés are very much at the heart of the city centre, including Victoria Yum, in Red Lion Walk, which is owned by Kiersten George.

Master baker - Kiersten George, of Victoria Yum (Image: Newsquest)

Kiersten opened the family-run bakery almost three years ago and was working alongside her teenage daughter when we popped in.

The business owner has gone from strength to strength, amassing 27,000 followers on Instagram and bagging an award at last year’s Colchester Business Awards.

We weren’t able to tuck into any of Kiersten’s sweet treats as we’d already filled ourselves up with a slice of chocolate and cherry cake from the plant based Caffe Sala, in Eld Lane, and a delicious iced latte from Sir Isaac’s Artisan Coffee, in Sir Isaac’s Walk.

Vegan business - Caffe Sala staff Oliver Culley and Grace Connie Church (Image: Newsquest)

Coffee master - James Channon, of Sir Isaac's Artisan Coffee (Image: Newsquest)

Delicious - Iced latte from Sir Isaac's Artisan Coffee (Image: Newsquest)

We also popped into the new unique No Name Bar and spoke to its boss, Karl Zabroski, about his plans for the future of the site.

A karaoke room, with the option of being a private function room is currently under development and the owner was excited for the future.

He said in just two weeks of being open it has been very busy and he already has some great online reviews.

New business - No Name Bar's Karl Zabroski and Bethany Harnden (Image: Newsquest)

Beer pong - Just one of the activities on offer at No Name Bar (Image: Newsquest)

While food, coffee, and leisure venues are prominent in the city centre, there is plenty of other businesses to explore, too.

Vintage clothes lovers will feel at home at Best Days Vintage, in Eld Lane, which has rails full of pre-loved clothes alongside a strong vinyl collection and coffee counter.

We both found it easy to find clothes we loved, and it made a very welcome change from scrolling through apps and online marketplaces like Vinted and Depop.

Vintage - A selection of clothes for sale at Best Days Vintage (Image: Newsquest)

Owner - Steve Hurdle, of Best Days Vintage (Image: Newsquest)

A furry friend greeted us as we walked through the doors of the newly relaunched Frippery Sisters, in Sir Isaac’s Walk.

Owner Samantha Godden-Wood was holding the fort with her adorable dog Binky in the cute shop which sells women’s clothing and accessories, as well as candles, homeware and more.

Woman's best friend - Frippery Sisters owner Sam and dog Binky (Image: Newsquest)

Our Gazette colleagues were delighted to see we returned to the office with an abundance of sweet goodies from Darcy's Traditional Sweet Shoppe, in Eld Lane, where we got stuck into a huge selection of treats and some quirkier items like Pizza Hut flavoured crisps.

Browsing - Gazette reporter Millie Emmett picked up some sweet treats for her colleagues at Darcy's, in Eld Lane (Image: Newsquest)

The success of these independent businesses can be attributed, in part, to the strong sense of community that permeates Colchester.

Local organisations, like the Our Colchester business improvement district, have actively encouraged the growth of small businesses, offering support and resources to budding entrepreneurs.