VisitStoke has created an online campaign to help local businesses that would usually benefit from the high footfall of visitors to the world-famous “Potteries”.
Badged as a “Shop Local” opportunity, what makes this very different is the list of famous names which actually makes this a one-stop shopping opportunity for anyone looking for some high quality, and unusual, Christmas gifts – including ceramics direct from some of Britain’s leading manufacturers.
The ‘treats-off-the-streets’ include “gifts that keep giving”, such as entry tickets, courses, day visits and nights out; “local arts & gifts”, featuring some original ideas from the likes of Yellowstone Art Boutique, local illustrators and artists, one-off designs from craftsmen and women and some fine art and ceramics connected with Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire; and merchandise from the city’s two football clubs (yes, two – Stoke City FC, and Robbie Williams’ favourites Port Vale FC).
And, of course, no visit to the world capital of ceramics could be complete without a spot of “Pottery Shopping” – just as no visit to this website would be complete without an opportunity to find bargains, collectibles and one-offs from the famous names of Portmeirion, Dunoon, Emma Bridgewater, Moorland Pottery and Moorcroft.
Highlights from this shopping bonanza include the chance to buy someone the gift of annual membership to the unique Monkey Forest visitor attraction; vouchers to future performances at the New Vic Theatre, Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall; Gems by Soph, designed and handmade by a Staffordshire University Graduate who was made redundant from Monsoon Accessorize earlier in the year; Stokie Ware and Stokie Gin from Moorland Pottery; spotty mugs from Emma Bridgewater; Christmas decorations from Moorcroft Pottery; and original artwork by Stoke-on-Trent’s very own Lowry – Arthur Berry.
For full details, and ideas to add to your Christmas shopping list, visit https://www.visitstoke.co.uk/see-and-do/shopping/support-local-christmas-shopping.
All tourist information, meanwhile, can be found at www.visitstoke.co.uk.