Special deliveries

In these weird lockdown times, trusted suppliers have never been more important, and it really pays to have a list of strong independent outlets in your online Rolodex. Mine began as a collection of luxuries that had been developed by close friends and/or small local sources. Now it’s my lifeline for gifts and commodities. The list is growing as fast as I type; please add your favourites to the comments so I can finish off what’s left of my ailing credit card. The more local the better.

1 FOOD
Kernow Chocolate
Yes chocolate is food, and it is essential in case you really had to ask. Essential for me and for you, as gifts, and for Easter, summer, or any old time. Get your order in soon from this windswept little factory in north Cornwall. My fave? Honeycomb. Or Bakewell Tart. Or Milk Chocolate Orange. Or Hot Cross Buns.

Nono Cocoa
I met Alessandra through our networking group. Her company makes everything-free, scrumptious chocs that are perfect for those with health concerns, and employs those with special needs. Go Team Nono!

OliveOlive
I panic when I run out of this stuff, it’s liquid gold. Another one of my dear schoolfriends and her husband import this oil – and halloumi – from her family farm in Cyprus, so the goodies are coming straight from the source to you. Bottles of gourmet sunshine, some flavoured with basil, chilli or lemon, and pillowy, perfectly packaged halloumi.

CSR fruit & veg
This family-centric wholesale London-based business once provided fresh produce to restaurants from Covent Garden market, and now delivers to keyworkers and families across most of north and north-west London. Order online for a wholesome box of goodies from Mon to Fri.

Bread Lady
Sofia bakes batches of many kinds in her own bread oven and can be seen cycling around the locale to deliver in person. Our most recent sample was from a local restaurant: fluffy and lovely (and the bread).

Monsoon Curry
Is it really cheating to throw in a cuzza? Maybe, but if I have to singlehandedly keep this place open then so be it. Friday night takeouts have and always will be dedicated to this little outlet in the heart of NW5. Chicken shashlick, please, with all the trimmings, an onion bhaji, and a desk diary every year.

HOME FURNISHINGS & GIFTS
Kitty Holmes
Plunge your eyes into this treasure trove of cushions and accessories from my lovely pal Kate, once a fellow schoolmum, now one of my closest friends. She designs these sunny prints herself in her own sustainable, friendly and loving way.

St Eval Candle Co
As well as producing a varied range of deliciously fragrant candles (Wild Gorse, anyone?), this Cornish factory just down the road from the chocolate place also does a lovely line in liquid and solid soap – so get your bulk order in pronto.

Indigo Prawn
Order your wrapping paper and cards without ever having to venture to the shops. Alex is a friend who I met when we lived in Singapore. She loves zingy colours and happy, tropical themes and so do I!

Disco Beads
We all need a bit of sparkle now and then – especially now. My third and final Cornish company (bit of a theme here) is this sweet little jewellery outlet selling everything from bracelets and anklets to bag danglers and even Christmas tree decs. Be dazzled!

Mr B’s Emporium
My son got a subscription to this place from his Grandpa; it’s a clever way of gifting from afar. You get four orders per year, tailored precisely to the child in question. I’m sure they’d do it for adults too, if you asked.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Hanna Casement Yoga
Bending sessions delivered straight to your carpet from the gorgeous and gentle Hanna, who lives and teaches in deepest Scotland, and who I’ve known since those hopscotch days in the old school yard with both our sisters. Cue many an Abba, Supertramp, Osmonds, ELO disco tune… Plus yoga, of course.

If there’s an outlet you think is worth mentioning, please pop it in the comments box below. It’s up to us to keep our local businesses alive and kicking. Plus, well, chocolate.