Shopping local in Workington when buying gifts over the festive period

Christmas is, in part, a time for gift giving and with that gift buying, so it seemed like the perfect time to highlight some of the wonderful businesses local to Workington where you can get your festive fix.

There are not many family businesses in Workington that have been in business as long as Sinclair's. The family jewellers which is now run by fourth-generation owner Ross Sinclair has a whole host on offer for shoppers this Christmas.

Ross Sinclair in Sinclair's jewellers, Workington. (Image: NQ staff) In its 75th year, the jewellery store in Workington town centre stocks a wide range of brands and collections of products.

Speaking about the festive period, owner Ross said: "It's always our busiest time of year. Once we get into December it's busier still, but that gradual run-up is the busiest time I think for the whole jewellery trade.

"When I first started nearly 40 years ago there was no internet and if you wanted to buy something you had to go to the high street. It is more difficult now because things are online.

"It's massively important (to shop locally) because if we don't have that we are going to have no high street."

Although there are no independent toy stores in Workington town centre, the Entertainer is hoping to provide a whole lot of magic to children in the town this festive season and cement its place 'at the heart of the community'.

Gary Hall and assistant manager Gareth Coulson show off some of their Christmas crackers. (Image: NQ staff) Speaking about the Christmas period, assistant manager at The Entertainer, Gareth Coulson said: "It's brilliant, we want to be at the heart of the community, we want to be the place that when you look back as an adult and remember your toy shop - you have really good memories.

"Years ago, we had a shop called Mark Taylor's (in Workington). That was my toy shop. I want people to feel the same as I did as a child when they come in here."

And the town also has an offering for the younger children too, with a baby store which opened earlier this year bringing in a whole host of products for over the Christmas period, with gifts for the little ones in your life.

Sarah Marsh from The Baby Store (Image: NQ staff) Sarah Marsh from The Baby Store has a huge range of baby products throughout the year - adding a number of toys, Christmas clothing and other gifts over the festive season.

Speaking about supporting business on the high street, Sarah said: "Christmas is a time when we are giving gifts, spending quite a bit of money in the economy, but to support an independent supports your local community at the same time. I am a massive supporter of shopping local."

Slightly hidden from our high street there is one very popular business where you can add that personal touch to all your Christmas gifts.

Crafty Workshop owner Lesley Edmondson with some of the Christmas gift idea's. (Image: Supplied) Based on Corporation Road, The Crafty Workshop is a wonderful venue to create your own Christmas gifts, whether you would like to purchase a voucher from the store (a few days' notice is needed for these to be created on a fired four-inch tile), paint a gift for loved one, or purchase a pot to be created by the recipient.

Crafty Workshop owner Lesley Edmondson said: "You can come in yourself and paint an item to give as a gift - handmade Christmas presents are always appreciated because of the thought and time that goes into them.

"The other popular way of gifting is call into the shop, choose the piece of pottery you would like to gift and we can wrap it in cellophane for you to gift to your loved one. You can then come back together after Christmas to have a painting session and make that gift into a lovely memory."

Sue Johnstone of Dahlia Floristry Cumbria (Image: Supplied) And if all this fails - can you ever go wrong with flowers ? We don't think so. Local florist Sue Johnstone, who has prided herself over the last few years in serving her village of Seaton, as well as Workington and the surrounding areas, has a whole host on offer over the festive period.

Sue believes her style of floristry is very natural and unstructured, trying to use British grown flowers wherever possible, and always with a great awareness of the environment.

There are a whole host of gift bouquets, pretty posies and door wreaths on offer for those who love the floral touch over the festive period.

You can contact Dahlia Floristry via social media at Dahlia Floristry Cumbria or via telephone. 

The Lakes Home Centre, Cockermouth, General manager Gary Whetton said: "It's good to keep things local, that's the main thing. Everybody is battling for customers with the rise of the internet so I am all for shopping local."

Cockermouth and Maryport will see their high street businesses showcased in the coming weeks.