Black Friday weekend is fast becoming one of the biggest shopping events worldwide, but small retailers often get forgotten amongst the chaos.
Here at BA i360, we’re proud to call Brighton and Sussex home and are passionate about supporting local businesses, artists and makers.
Here are our top 5 reasons why you should stay small this Black Friday:
1) Find quirky one-off gifts that are made locally
Small businesses pride themselves on selling unique, handmade or locally sourced products. These are items that you won’t find elsewhere, especially in large chain stores. If you’re looking for that one-off hidden gem, small independent shops are troves full of treasure.
2) Your spending will boost the local economy
By spending with small local businesses rather than large chain stores, your money is three times more likely to stay within your town and community – talk about a gift that keeps on giving!
3) You will help reduce your carbon footprint
By buying local, the products and services you purchase are likely to be sourced locally, helping reduce transportation from across the country or even the world.
4) Better customer service
Small businesses are owned by your neighbours and friends, they value your business and will go the extra mile to accommodate your needs.
5) Help create an area’s identity
Areas that contain a range of unique shops and businesses shape an area’s personality. In Brighton and Hove we are blessed with independent shops in the North Laine, South Lanes, and The Open Market, each adding their own unique touch of personality to our eclectic and vibrant city.
Wondering where to start shopping local? Visit our fabulous neighbours:
Great shops among the King’s Road arches to visit include:
West side
For a wide range of hand-picked gifts, which include stylish, high-quality stationery items and unusual gifts for the home, men, babies and children. Everything is expertly sourced locally, particularly through Sussex artists, and internationally from Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Poland, and France.
Mia Beach sells an array of bespoke and handmade crochet and knitwear – woven with lots of love and time by the owner Mia, herself! Pop in here for lots of lovely gifts and clothing for all the bohemian hearted, and ocean souls of the world.
Brighton’s first Organic beachfront Hairdressers creating a calm, relaxing hair experience with front-row views of Brighton’s iconic West Pier and the sea. They use natural products such as Natulique and colours are free from ammonia, parabens, and ppds are kept to a minimum.
The gallery features the very best photography of Brighton and the South Downs by some of the city’s favourite photographers. Pop in here for stunning framed and unframed prints in various sizes, alongside a range of greetings cards, photobooks, and the world-famous Brighton and Hove Calendar.
The gallery is free to enter, dog-friendly, fully accessible and open every day throughout the year.
The newest addition to the King’s Road arches. Gelato Gusto is a traditional artisan ice cream parlour who are passionate about making fresh gelato each day. Pop in for delicious flavours of ice cream from classic vanilla, cookies and cream to delicious vegan alternatives like their vegan cherry pie ice cream. Yummy!
East side
The Flour Pot is a modern British bakery, Made in Brighton, with a commitment to all things artisanal and delicious. They are obsessive about the detail of the craft, passionate about the experience they create and in love with the idea that something so special can be created out of three simple ingredients – flour, water, salt.
Rebound Store is the ultimate destination for all things preloved. Not only do they buy and sell authentic pre-owned items with designer labels, from Saturday 30th November they will be selling some fantastic beauty products.
Sister restaurant to the award-winning 64 Degrees, Murmur was opened to offer a different dining concept, serving healthy and honest food for lunch and dinner in a stunning beachside location. The restaurant is named Murmur from the word murmuration which is the shape that the starlings make when they flock and fly between the two piers here on the coast.
Inspired by Brighton and Hove, with its distinctive, incomparable character, the chefs at West Beach Bar & Kitchen are passionate about showcasing local ingredients to create delicious dishes that can be enjoyed together while savouring the stunning views of the sea and the hauntingly beautiful West Pier.
BA i360 beachside shop
Here at the BA i360 we stock a range of unique products, including ethical clothing, stylish prints and cards, deli worthy jams, chutneys, children’s toys and more – all supplied from local artists and makers.
To celebrate the small businesses we stock in our beachside shop this Black Friday weekend, all visitors will receive a 10% discount. Local Resident and Annual Pass Members will get a staggering discount with 15% off. So join us from Friday 29th November to Monday 2nd December and treat your loved ones (and yourself) to some beautiful gifts.
*Discount not available on Kindness Coop or Magic Memories concessions
This Black Friday you can save up to 40% on standard tickets up to the 21st December. Book your tickets Black Friday weekend and enjoy Brighton’s best views for less!
Save up to 40% on tickets £10 /£5
Annual passes £25 / £12.50