MEET BATH’S INDIE HEROES MEET BATH’S INDIE HEROES

We speak to Nicholas Wylde, Founder of Wylde Jewellers on Northumberland Place.

Tell us a bit about your business...

I opened the Bath store in 1987 with 12 rings in the window. I always wanted to be an innovator and to have a window where jewellery loving clients would stop and admire my pieces. The Wylde Flower Diamond® must be my proudest achievement. I set out to deliver unique jewellery and it was a goal from the very start to have my own cut of diamond and I launched this unique patented, diamond on my 25th anniversary. It sparkles more than a round brilliant cut, and has a beautiful romantic flower reflecting from the bottom of the stone. I am also very proud to have twice won, the national award for Best Jewellery Retailer in the UK.

Why Bath?

I grew up in Birmingham and went to the Jewellery College there. At 20, I arrived in Bath as a trainee jeweller and haven’t looked back. I like Bath, as it is a little bubble of happiness. When the sun is out, the music is in the streets, the cafes are buzzing and all the festivals are being enjoyed, where could be nicer? It’s a big city with a little footprint, easy to visit the cultural attractions and to stroll around the streets seeking out the small and friendly independent shops and restaurants.

Share something new and exciting that you have discovered in Bath.

There are always new and exciting things popping up in and around Bath. Bristol’s Pieminister has opened a restaurant at the start of the year. This is what Bath’s about, strolling around, looking up at the architecture, discovering the side streets, enjoying the cafes, and visiting the places you stumble across.

What would be your perfect day in Bath?

Living in Bath is wonderful. I would enjoy a spa and a gin. Together is perfect! We are spoiled for choice with spas. My perfect day would start with a treatment at Neal’s Yard and a visit to the main Thermae Spa or I would try the beautifully restored outdoor Cleveland Pools. Then it’s off to the Gin Bar to meet friends and to soak up the atmosphere of the city. Which Gin to choose? There are so many! It has to be Bath Gin of course! There are so many lovely restaurants to choose from, but we would probably finish a special day going to The Walcot in Walcot Street as it is one of our favourites.

Your top indie recommendation in Bath?

Bath has always been known as a shopping destination. I would recommend walking up to Margaret’s Buildings, down through Bartlett Street, on to Walcot Street, through the Guildhall Market, into Northumberland Place and down to Abbey Green. You can find Rossiters of Bath a small independent department store in Broad Street, Gabucci menswear in Milsom Street, and Moss Hi-Fi on James Parade who has been trading over 35 years. There are some great new independents like Always Sunday, Chapter 22 (a lovely florist and café) and the Botanica Studio near us to name just a few.

What are you most looking forward to in the city over the next few months?

Summer and Christmas are wonderful times to be in Bath. Seeing people enjoy the city is very important to me. There are many people behind the scenes working hard to deliver the festivals, monthly events, the Christmas market etc. to create the ‘all year-round’ atmosphere that makes Bath so special.

Always Sunday Store

9 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LJ alwayssunday.store

@always_sunday_store

A curated collection of items for an inspired life and home. Discover artist-designed, vintage, limited editions, Always Sunday exclusive and locally-made finds in this ever changing store.

Bartlett Street Antiques Centre

8 Bartlett Street, Bath, BA1 2QZ bartlettstreetantiquescentre.com

The largest antiques centre in Bath, with over 65 dealers represented.

Bath Aqua Glass Shop

15 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1NA bathaquaglass.com

/bathaquaglass @bathaquaglassshop

@bathaquaglass

One of the most beautiful shops in Bath, the flagship store of Bath Aqua Glass sells hand-blown glassware.

Bluebells

16 Cheap Street, Bath, BA1 1NA bluebellsgifts.com

/bluebellsbath @bluebellsbath

Bluebells stocks a range of on-trend gifts, homeware, fashion accessories, soft toys and Bath souvenirs from well-known brands and local artisans.

Botanica Studio

17 Union Passage, Bath, BA1 1RE botanicastudio.co.uk

@botanica_studios

Started as a market stall in 2016, Botanica Studio is an independent indoor plant shop selling plants, pots, soil, and plant accessories.

Chanii B

9 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ chaniibshoes.com

/chaniibshoes

@shoesbychaniib

/company/chanii-b @chaniibshoes

Limited-edition designer shoes and accessories, designed locally and handmade in Portugal.

Chapter 22 Roots And Records

9 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ chapter22rootsandrecords.com

/chapter22rootsandrecords chapter22rootsandrecords

An unique and beautiful space, with plants, records and also a cafe. A destination not just a shop.

Coopers Home Appliances

13/15 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BN coopershomeappliances.com

/coopers.stores.bath @coopers_stores

Offering value-driven and customer-focused independent retailing, Coopers strive to make buying home appliances a pleasurable and human experience – an antidote to the soulless online shopping ‘trip’.

Cream Cornwall

29 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG www.creamcornwall.co.uk

/creamcornwall @ creamcornwall

Inspired by the coast, Cream Cornwall makes luxury and exclusive homewares for people who love to be surrounded by beautiful things.

The Dressing Room

7 Quiet Street, Bath, BA1 2JU dressingroombath.com

/thedressingroombath @dressing_room_bath

The Dressing Room has sold the finest lingerie, beachwear and nightwear since 1985, catering for the petite to the luscious and thoroughly enjoying what they do.

Fat Giraffe Gifts

25 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG fatgiraffegifts.com

/fatgiraffegifts @fatgiraffegifts

Handcrafted, unique wooden gifts, all sustainably & ethically produced from local artisans in Bali, Indonesia.

Gabucci

35 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DN gabucci.co.uk

Sitting proudly on one of the most iconic shopping streets in the UK, Gabucci has been dressing men for over 16 years, and offers a unique men’s fashion experience, with a highly individual, on-trend European style.

George Bayntun

23 Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JW georgebayntun.com

/georgebayntunbookshop @georgebayntun @georgebayntun

George Bayntun is one of the world’s most famous bookshops and is home to the Bayntun-Riviere bindery.

GOLD & PLATINUM STUDIO

19 Northumberland Place, Bath, BA1 5AR goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk

/goldandplatinumstudio @goldandplatinumstudio

A bespoke jeweller specialising in engagement and wedding rings, designed and handmade in their on-site workshop with a personal service from start to finish.

Graham And Green

92 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BG grahamandgreen.co.uk

/grahamandgreen @grahamandgreen

/company/graham-and-green @grahamandgreen

An independent brand that is synonymous with eclectic furniture, hand-picked homeware and unique gifts sourced from artisans across the globe.

Guitarbitz

6 Quiet Street, Bath, BA1 2JS guitarbitz.com

/guitarbitz @guitarbitz

Guitarbitz is a friendly music store supplying instruments, parts, accessories and guitar repairs, with a large range of guitars for beginners up to pros.

Haus

3 Abbeygate Street, Bath, BA1 1NP hauslife.co.uk

/hauslifestyle @haus.life_

Haus is a homewares, clothing and gift shop, stocking unique, travel-inspired items sourced from artisans across the globe. They also stock Swyft sofas.

Honey Willow

8 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AX honeywillow.com

@honeywillowjewellery

Honey Willow is an independent jewellery shop selling meaningful, personalised jewellery, handmade in their central Bath workshop.

Icarus Jewellery

3 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AX icarusjewellery.com

/icarusjewellery @icarusjewellery icarusjewellery

An independent jewellery shop that has been based in Bath since 2015. Icarus is known for its elegant, bold and finestquality silver, handmade jewellery.

John Anthony

28 High Street, Bath, BA1 5AJ john-anthony.com

/johnanthonyfashion

@johnanthonyfashion

An independent retailer of global luxury menswear, selling cutting-edge designer gear, tailored suits and accessories.

John Moore Sports

2 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BA johnmooresports.co.uk

/ johnmooresports @johnmooresports @johnmooresports

John Moore Sports is Bath’s sports and school outfitter. Aside from apparel and sports equipment, they offer free gait analysis, racket restringing, printing and embroidery.

A Yarn Story

128 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BG

American Dream Comics

72 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BD

Jody Cory Goldsmiths

9 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LY

Pulteney Bridge Flowers

14 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AY

Minerva Art Supplies

13 Green Street, Bath, BA1 2JZ minervaartsupplies.co.uk @minervaartshop

A 200-year-old family business offering artists’ materials including paint, brushes, papers, graphic markers, technical pens, folios, sprays and much more.

MR B’S EMPORIUM OF READING DELIGHTS

13–15 John Street, Bath, BA1 2JL mrbsemporium.com

/mrbsemporiumofreadingdelights @mrbsemporium @mrbsemporium

Mr B’s is an award-winning, energetic and innovative bookshop in the heart of Bath. A bright labyrinthine space, where book chatter and advice seem ever-present.

Mallory Jewellers

1–5 Bridge Street, Bath BA2 4AP mallory-jewellers.com

@mallory_jewellers @mallorybath

The destination for fine and contemporary jewellery, bespoke commissions, Swiss timepieces and luxury accessories. Family-owned and run since 1898.

My Small World Toy Store

19–21 St Lawrence Street, Bath, BA1 1AN mysmallworld.co.uk

/mysmallworldtoys @mysmallworldtoys

Bath’s famous, award-winning toy store, filled to the brim with a unique collection of toys, games and books – and utterly child-friendly, of course!

Portman

28 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG portmanbath.co.uk

@portmanbathboutique @portmanbathuk

An independent fashion boutique in the heart of Bath’s shopping district, specialising in Italian fashion, handbags, jewellery and accessories.

Perfecto Market

Unit A, Westpoint, Avon Street, Bath, BA1 1UN perfectomarket.com

/perfectomarketbath @perfectomarket

With foods from over 50 countries, Perfecto Market will catapult you into a whole new world of great cultures, foods and people.

SAM WILSON

36 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DN samwilsonstudio.com

/samwilsonstudio @samwilsonstudio

Sam Wilson is a luxury homeware brand inspired by the British countryside.

QUIET STREET ANTIQUES

3 Quiet Street, Bath, BA1 2JS quietstreetantiques.co.uk

/quietstreetantiques

Four floors of quality antiques at sensible prices with over 40 years of exercience with beautiful Regency and Georgian pieces.

THE BATH HUMBUG SHOP

49 Guildhall Market, High Street, Bath, BA2 4AW

THE CORK AND TRUCKLE

4 Abbey Grn, Bath BA1 1NW

MILES MANN

9 Cheap Street, Bath, BA1 1NE

TEA HOUSE EMPORIUM

22 New Bond Street, Bath, BA1 1RE

SP GREEN

7 Green Street, Bath, BA1 2JY spgreen.com

/spgreenjewellers

@spgreenjewellersbath

An independent family manufacturing jewellers specialising in diamonds, gemstones and bespoke design.

Suave Owl

33 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG suaveowl.co.uk

/suaveowlltd @suaveowl

/company/suave-owl @suaveowl

An award-winning independent company offering a wide range of formal and casual men’s clothing. Assisting gents with feeling their best from everyday to wedding day.

The San Francisco Fudge Factory

6 Church Street, Bath, BA1 1NL sanfranciscofudge.co.uk

/bathfudgeshop @fudgefactorybath

@bathfudgeshop

A family-run business in the heart of Bath that has been making fudge with all-natural ingredients every day since 1995.

The Silver Shop

25 Union Passage, Bath, BA1 1RD thesilvershopofbath.co.uk @thesilvershopbath

Established in 1952, The Silver Shop has offerered Bath’s largest collection of stunning silver jewellery and a unique range of gifts for 70 years.

Timber Treasures

5 Abbey Green, Bath, BA1 1NW timber-treasures.co.uk /timbertreasuresbath @timber_treasures_ @timbertreasures

A home accessories store in Abbey Green, specialising in handmade wooden gifts.

TOPPING & COMPANY BOOKSELLERS OF BATH

York Street, Bath, BA1 1NG toppingbooks.co.uk /toppingsstas @toppingsstas @toppingsstas

A family-run independent bookshop based in Bath since 2004, with a focus on live author events and a friendly, knowledgeable bookselling team.

Vintage Abs

6 Upper Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1RG vintageabs.com vintageabs_bath

Proudly independent shop selling reworked and vintage clothing!

Wylde Jewellers

12 Northumberland Place, Bath, BA1 5AR nicholaswylde.com

/nicholaswylde.jeweller.and.goldsmith @nicholaswyldegoldsmith @nicholaswylde

An award-winning jeweller specialising in bespoke jewellery and their own diamond cut, The Wylde Flower Diamond®.

Zucci Clothes

7–13 Upper Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1RG @zucci_clothing

A family-run independent retailer, specialising in premium menswear brands, and providing a personal service to their customers.