With more businesses set to reopen next month, The Advertiser has asked our readers to share their favourite small and independent firms around the town to give them a much-needed boost after a challenging year for most sectors.

From gyms to bakeries to cafes and service providers, nearly 100 people got in touch to tell us why they love their local businesses and what sets them apart from the competition.

Among the recommendations we received, most were for craft makers, cafes and service providers.

But there were also shoutouts for beauty and fitness centres.

Recommending Dawn Breakers, a fitness centre, Paula Deverill said: “[I recommend] DAWN Breakers [for] keeping us all fit and mentally healthy! Amazing support group.”

Among the beauty and therapy providers who got the recommendation were The Alternatives, Cinderella’s Hair Boutique, Andover Aesthetic Practitioners and Avon with Laura Burchell.

Annie Flackett said: “I recommend Isabella [at The Alternatives] for all massage and beauty needs. I have been going for 19 years!!”

While, Emma Giles said: “Cinderella’s Hair Boutique Cindy Marie Carolan is an amazing hairdresser. Not only do you get a smile and chat whilst having your hair done, you also come out feeling a million dollars thank you.”

According to SmallBusiness.co.uk, supporting local has wide-ranging benefits for towns including increased employment and instilling a sense of community.

Local shops and High Street businesses are the backbone of our economy.

Research shows that £10 spent with a local independent shop means up to an additional £50 returning to the local economy.

This is because the local shop owners, who you are spending your money with, will then put that money back into your local community by going into local pubs and restaurants etc, thus circulating the money and allowing your community to thrive.

If you shop local more, you will also help increase local jobs. Studies have found that local shops and services employ most number of people in our country, even more than the jobs offered by multi-national, multi-chain businesses.

The minimum wage at local shops is also higher than many big chains, thus improving the financial support of our neighbourhood homes.

This page is a celebration of our local businesses. Let’s join our hands to pull these firms out of a challenging year.

Recommended by you - Amazing designers and bakers of Andover

Andover has a handful of amazing designers - fashion specialists and craft makers - and bakers.

We received several recommendations for the lovely local designers who create magic with their fingers, while the bakers were also applauded for how they keep the village sweet and happy.

Among the shops that received a shoutout were The Record Box, La di da, My Fab Find, Mooch, Wonder & Wild Kids, David Mellor Family Jewellers, Enham Village Post Office & Stores and Just bikes.

While sweets specialists The Bridge Cafe, Burbidges Bakery, Sally the Cake Fairy, Canto Gelato, Piglets Puds, Legion Lady and The Travelling Cupcake Inc Lucy’s Kitche received recommendations, spirit maker Wessex Spirits and fish and chips store Zenith Fish Bar were also suggested by the readers.

Recommending Mooch, Ria Baker said: “[Shoutout to] Mooch as it’s the only shop in Andover with lovely and friendly staff and lovely items that they sell.”

Melanie Addison had three recommendations. She said: “Sally the Cake Fairy - best baked sweet goodies!, Burbridges - more amazing baked goodies and bacon baps!, and Canto Gelato Andover - yummy gelato!”
Recommending Zenith Fish Bar, Joni Summers said: “[t’s the] Best fish and chips; and the loveliest staff.”

These businesses provide unmatched services for us

While physical stores and products are easier to be acknowledged, recognised and appreciated, the service industry provides support when we need them the most.

Andover is not short of local service providers who are always available at the end of a phone call to offer us the best support.

Among the service providers recommended under our Facebook post were Ace Domestics, DSJ Flooring, Andover carpet cleaning co an ultraclean professional company, Jaer Book-keeping Limited t/a E Giles Book-keeping, Humphrey and Crockett Ltd, The Plumbing and Heating Company, PH James Building Contractors, Stand Out Cleaning Services, Andover Domestic Appliances, Tribex Cleaning, Forces Re-Engineered, Choices Hire Services, Mucky Pups, Bear Behind Ltd, Gerry’s Timber Portway, I M Accident Repair Centre, Angel Call Handling, Andover Radio, The Lifestyle Card, Stand out cleaning services, Andover Prom Dress Free Rental, Jiggy Wrigglers and Andover Upholstery - Family Repair Service.

Recommending Jiggy Wrigglers, Gemma Coombes said: “Jiggy Wrigglers with Alice-Rose Kew, after a year of barely being able to run groups she’s managed to keep parents of young children sane through lives, wake ups and story reading. Support her next week when she can finally run face to face classes outside!”