I am going to research existing publications/ blogs/ memberships for independent businesses in other cities across the UK.
"Independent Liverpool started over a cup of coffee almost six years ago. We’ve been best mates since primary school and wanted a hobby to make people see the great things that Liverpool has to offer.
We could have never anticipated where this journey would have taken us. After just starting as a blog in 2013, almost 6 months later we released our first members discount card that rewards people for shopping local. Since then we’ve gone on to host massive food and drink festivals for thousands of people and open Baltic Market – Liverpool’s first street food market.
In the process of writing this love letter to Liverpool, we’ve created a whole platform for independent culture. Reigniting the fire for Liverpool independence."
The primary colour used for Independent Liverpool is red, inspired by the city itself it is bold and stands out. The website is split into how to search for different independents, such as what? where? and when? this makes it easy for the user to filter out stuff they don't need to see such as bars if they are searching for a breakfast venue. Independent Liverpool have both a website and an app, the only physical thing produced is their card (see above). They also have a strong social media presence and use this to stay relevant and gain attention from new customers/users. The use of illustration on the card design is really fun and makes sure to target the younger audience as well as older.
Here at Independent Life we are all about local differences, connecting independent-minded people, places and enterprises to enrich and differentiate the towns and cities we serve. Independent Leeds is where it all begun in 2012 and has been tried and tested to create the Independent Life model and the go to place to check out what we do!Our printed guides, magazines, digital on-line and on-the-move channels are a great way of discovering the distinctive going’s on and enterprises that give places their unique character.We have extensive experience of working in the leisure and retail sectors, combined with a passion for helping creative, commercial and social enterprises grow and engage with customers to bring real benefit to their businesses.
The website is again split into different types of independents as a way to search - entertainment and culture, food and drink and shopping and lifestyle. I will consider when drafting a design for the website - users will get bored of scrolling through a long list that isn't relevant to them. In contrast to the Independent Liverpool website, this is a lot duller/ black and white - which still does the job but isn't aimed as much to students and younger people.
Having lived in London a long time we were always struck by how disadvantaged independent shops are compared to the chains. Too much power with landlords with no rent controls and able to change the use of a site at their whim. The cities high streets have quickly filled with copycat chains and created homogenised high streets no longer a draw for shoppers.
I am not a fan of this website as I feel it is very dull and not very contemporary in design, it doesn't hold the users attention and so I will use this an example of what not to do. The only thing on this website that stands out is the logo in the corner, a contrasting pink.
Breaking away from the common chains, Independent Sheffield is on a mission to link up with all those special places that fill life's little spaces.
Our big idea at Independent Sheffield is to explore what our city has to offer. From the lesser-known, to the best kept secrets in Sheffield, these are the gems that have earned a place in our heart. We're searching for places with a difference, unique offerings, for places everyone will enjoy.
Our aim is to show you that there is more than meets the eye to Sheffield... so don't just follow us, join us.
Both Independent Sheffield and Birmingham are linked to the Liverpool one, therefore the website design is the same and the card is also a fun design.
Independent Birmingham began life in August 2013, acting as a guide that enabled those living and working in Birmingham to explore the city’s lesser-known aspects and unearth its best kept secrets.
In 2014, the Independent Birmingham Membership Card was released and is now owned by over 18,000 people eager to support and champion local, independent businesses. Since then Independent Birmingham has gone on to host massive food and drink festivals, held at iconic locations and attended by thousands of people, as well as create a series of cult pub quiz nights – with many more great events to follow.
In the process of writing this love letter to Birmingham, Independent Birmingham created a whole platform for celebrating independent culture. Reigniting the fire for Birmingham independence and helping people to rediscover their city, one hidden gem at a time.
Shop local. Celebrate the unique. Believe In Birmingham.
Independent shops in Manchester
Searching for that unique gift, that totally different outfit? Creativity and independence are the lifeblood of Manchester’s shopping scene. This website doesn't give me much to go off, it is not an actual independent website but a section on the general Manchester city website.
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