LOCAL LIST
EACH WEEK WE’RE ENCOURAGING YOU TO KEEP THE HIGH STREET ALIVE BY BUYING FROM YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT SHOPS ONLINE. THIS WEEK, Nicole Mowbray GIVES BRISTOL’S STORES A HELPING HAND
‘Work that is a joy to make is a joy to see.' So goes the mantra of Sophie Rees' ‘curated space for contemporary design and craft'. It features the wares of more than 70 independent makers and Rees knows her stuff – she's written a book called Artisan Bristol.
3 Lower Redland Rd, BS6,
thebristolartisan.com
This multiple-award-winning-shop, which until recently was housed in a shipping container in the cool Wapping Wharf area, is still trading online and features more than 100 varieties of cider and perry, produced at traditional farms. All its ciders are vegan-friendly and gluten-free.
bristolcidershop.co.uk
Founded by three women – Emma White of sustainable fashion brand Duvet Days (which upcycles pieces from old duvet covers), Beth Izzard of lifestyle brand The DIY Supermarket and Josee Irvine, fashion designer at Palace Flophouse – this store is not only a showcase for their wares but also an open-plan textile studio home to 50 local creatives.
31 Old Market St, BS2, goodstorestudio.co.uk
Featuring handpicked vintage pieces for men and women, Loot has a big focus on retro streetwear and reworked styles created on-site. Pieces here are always in good condition.
6-9 Haymarket Walk, BS1,
gimmetheloot.co.uk
Committed to creating sourdough bread, cakes and pastries of the highest quality (90 per cent of loaves are organically certified), the Bristol Loaf is drool-inducing. Expect vegan and freefrom alternatives alongside regular fare. It also sells gourmet food, and organic wines from The Bristol Vine. With locations in Bedminster (96 Bedminster Parade, BS3) and Redfield (213 Church Rd,
BS5), thebristolloaf.co.uk
Roughly translated from French, ‘mon pote' means ‘my mate' and this shop is a great place to shop for gifts, stationery and homewares for any of yours (or yourself, obvs). Owners Anna and Natalie handpick wares with an emphasis on lasting quality. Their choice of ceramics is gorgeous.
217 North St, BS3,
monpote.co.uk
I'm in love with this urban retreat. Housed in a repurposed shipping container, it offers insanely good holistic, deep-tissue and sports massages, amongst other things – and has a lovely natural beauty store too.
Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf, Museum St, BS1, loopmassage.com
In a city with a thriving local foodie scene, the pick at Hugo's stands out as one of the best. These guys skilfully mix the hyper local – greenery from Bristol Urban Farms and Pirate Farms, for instance, and home-made kefir, and local dairy produce – with high-quality imports. Foodie heaven.
73 North St, BS3, thebristolloaf.co.uk/product-tag/hugo
Joy to behold: The Bristol Artisan (left) has wares by independent makers and Bristol Cider Shop (below) stocks 100 varieties
This ‘treasure trove' vintage clothing and homewares store is located on one of the liveliest independent shopping streets in the UK. Downstairs you'll also find Prime Cuts record shop, one of the city's largest vintage music sellers.
85 Gloucester Rd, BS7, repsycho.co.uk
Looking for the best pick of independent men's and womenswear and interiors? Fox and Feather, together with sister store Ida (the two shops have temporarily become one during the pandemic), has done all the hard work for you. 41 Gloucester Rd, BS7, foxandfeather.co.uk
MY HUSBAND and I separated soon after we opened our marriage. He’d lost interest in sex and then I met my current partner and fell in love. Because of lockdown, we moved in together while it was still early days. Things were lovely to start with but the past few weeks have been difficult and our relationship feels like it’s aged. Although we aren’t fighting, we have begun to bicker. But I’m most upset about our sex life, which is suffering. Sex feels so disappointing in comparison to what it was. We’ve had some chats about it but I just want to get back to how things were. What’s your advice?
Wanting to get back to how things were is quite universal.
‘But it’s never possible,’ says James McConnachie. ‘Do you know the old line about the
Greek philosopher who said nobody can step into the same river twice? Even if you stand in exactly the same place, it’s different water and a different time – and, most importantly, it’s a different you.’
Lockdown might have taken you on a crash course in each other’s annoying habits but it doesn’t mean your relationship is necessarily doomed.
‘Under the current circumstances, I’m surprised and delighted if anyone can muster the enthusiasm to have sex, so please don’t start predicting the worst,’ says Rupert Smith.
Whenever a new union settles into a steadier rhythm, sex becomes predictable.
‘This is an inevitability rather than a sign something is wrong,’ says Dr Angharad Rudkin. ‘But you sound restless, searching for something you haven’t found with either your husband or your partner.’
If you’re always chasing some sort of sexual euphoria, no relationship will last.
‘It might be useful to reflect on why you need the constant validation of that sexual high to convince you a relationship is working,’ says Smith.
While sex is important, there are many other essential facets of a relationship. Shared interests, kindness, hopes and aspirations are all just as vital.
‘Because, call it what you like – love, infatuation, first flush, the honeymoon period – that thrillingly erotic first phase cannot be sustained,’ says McConnachie.
What you’re left with, once the first flush has faded, is the fact that bickering is simply part of the work of living with someone.
‘It’s not easy and it’s often a compromise,’ says Smith.
So focus now on what you have together, says Rudkin.
‘At the end of each day, note down what you have enjoyed about your partner and remember to spoil each other with presents sometimes,’ she says. ‘If this feels too hard, then your relationship hasn’t just aged, it’s over.’