Growing Food for Health & Well-being is the theme for National Allotment Week 2020, a campaign that will run from 10th-16th August. This year’s focus couldn’t be more spot on for a year that has confirmed the importance of good health and of course food has a huge role to play in that. Everything begins with fresh produce and its important to know that you can make good food choices whilst out and about too. So, if you’re heading to one of iCandy’s independent retailers for an appointment then why not check out some of the independent restaurants nearby that are participating in the government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme which gives people a discount of up to 50% up to the value of £10 when eating or drinking soft drinks every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 and 31 August. We’ve put together our top picks of independent restaurants with a focus on delicious, fresh produce…
London
If you’re heading to Bella Baby for a private shopping appointment in their beautiful Twickenham showroom, then why not round off the day with an authentic Nepalese meal at Panas which was awarded a Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice Award this year.
South East
Babycare of Dagenham recently featured in Nursery Online’s Retailer Spotlight series where they explained how they have adapted their business to keep going with the safety of their customers and team at the forefront of their thinking. Enjoy an appointment to chat all things baby essentials followed by a trip to nearby Amira’s Coffee for a frothy coffee and a slice of Organic or vegan cake.
If Whites Farm Baby Barn is your nearest independent retailer then be sure to make an appointment and tie it in with a visit to Platform Two Cafe at the East Anglian Railway Museum. Whether you make the most of the sunny outdoor seating area or hop into the vintage dining car, enjoy homemade cake, afternoon tea or lunch all locally produced food where possible.
Famed for its Cathedral, Canterbury is a great place to visit and there’s plenty to see and do if you’re visiting the Baby Lady for an appointment and want to make the most of the day. If you’re feeling peckish after choosing your perfect pushchair then head to Lily’s Bistro which is a “ not for profit organisation working to provide employment and real, commercial work support to people who face barriers to employment”.
Bumpstart Babyshop in Buckinghamshire is situated in a quirky converted tractor shed on the family’s working farm just outside Whaddon. Combine an appointment at the store with a trip to Thrift Farm and their Food 4 Thought Café where the menu is curated alongside the farmer, local butcher and horticulturist.
South West
If you’re enjoying a Staycation in Exeter and are on the hunt for your perfect iCandy then book an appointment at Just Another Baby before checking in to the Bull Ball Inn. This 17th Century thatched pub and restaurant with accommodation in Sandygate on the edge of Exeter Devon is considered to be one of the prettiest in the area.
Another great spot for a Staycation, Weymouth offers the perfect seaside break. Enjoy a personal shopping appointment at Baby Birds before heading to Café Monet for a coffee and a slice of homemade cake.
Midlands
Baby Planet has an appointment system as well as walk ins across its four stores. If you’re heading to one of their stores across the Midlands and then want to enjoy a meal to celebrate your pushchair purchase, make use of the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out online tool and simply enter the store’s postcode to find participating restaurants nearby.
Choosing your baby’s pushchair is hungry work so after an appointment at Lullaby’s Baby Den in Scunthorpe, treat yourself to a portion of fish & chips from Scalinis, rated number 1 on Trip Advisor for seafood.
Newbie & Me has recently celebrated the opening of its Telford store so be sure to book a one hour appointment at the beautiful new premises. After purchasing all your baby essentials, head to Nanny’s Craft Bakery which offers both ‘traditional English delicacies and ‘secret’ Bulgarian recipes’.
Hilltop Farm is not to be missed if you have an appointment at The Baby Barn Pram & Nursery Centre . The café ‘overlooks the finest views in Warwickshire’ and from the full English to the afternoon tea, its all prepared ‘using the best, locally-sourced ingredients from the Hilltop Farm Shop’.
North East
‘Locally sourced and crafted with love’ is the mantra of Fellini’s Restaurant & Bar in Teesside. Be sure to book a table when booking an appointment at W.H. Watts Pram Centre.
North West
Winstanleys Pram World Stoke-on-Trent store, open by appointment only, is located close to the Emma Bridgewater Factory so why not tie in your pushchair purchase with a pre-booked afternoon tea served on that famous crockery!
Direct 4 Baby is open for business as usual so if you’re bringing along little ones on a shopping trip with the promise of soft play and a sweet treat, then look no further than Brew and Buddies Play & Learn Centre. The centre is an open-plan space, so you will always be able to see your children in the soft play area whilst you are enjoying a much-deserved rest in the café!
If you’ve got an appointment lined up at Listers Baby Shop then follow it with a visit to The Penny Farthing Coffee House for a bowl of homemade soup or tea and fresh cake.
After choosing your dream pushchair at Simple Baby Lancashire, why not indulge in a delicious lunchtime panini made with Roman focaccia bread at Buccellis.
Wales
After a successful nursery appointment at Bump to Baby, enjoy locally produced food at Foxes Tea Rooms nearby.
Scotland
Tinto Tapas is close by to Jan Stewart Pram and Nursery so after all that shopping indulge in some authentic Spanish tapas.
If you’re after a delicious quick bite with fresh ingredients after visiting Victoria Houston Pram & Nursery then check out nearby Antonios Deli.