Independent Chester: My Top 5 recommendations

I love city life, but I do feel in many modern cities now, there are so many chain bars/restaurants/coffee shops, everywhere starts to look the same. I come from a small town in West Somerset, and although like most places now they have the usual chain coffee shops, and supermarkets, it's the independent places which I find give the best service, are often the best kept secret, a jewel in the crown as it were- plus if you support a local business, you are really making a difference to your town/village/city.

I have lived in Chester since 2009 -can't believe it will be 10 years next year- and although it is a small city, it is packed with things to do, places to try, and people to meet.  I've always found people in the North West so friendly and warm, and Chester definitely has a different vibe to cities like Liverpool or Manchester.  I adore all three, but scratch beneath the surface of Chester and you'll see there's far more to Cheshire Life than Chester Races -tried it once, not really my scene-, WAGs, and tweed.  So without further ado, find my top Chester Independent small businesses.  I am thinking of making this a regular feature as I always like to try new places.  If you would like your business to be featured on The Rebel Poetess, get in touch!

1. Jaunty Goat Coffee.  I love Jaunty Goat.  The first time I heard of it was a few years ago now, when I heard online of this independent coffee shop which had moved and was re-opening.  I went along with my then boyfriend, and immediately fell in love with the laid back atmosphere, the amazing coffee- mine's a Cortado- and not just one Gluten Free cake on offer but a choice, as a Coeliac this is really impressive.  It's nice to feel you can enjoy coffee and cake with your friends and not miss out because you have a food intolerance.  I went with my parents to Jaunty Goat on my 30th birthday and, after a longer than usual wait for our coffees, they explained there had been a mix-up at the counter.  As an apology they gave us some full loyalty cards for free coffees on our next visit.  I was really impressed with the level of customer service.  These days I'm sometimes in there alone, blogging on my laptop, and they always make me feel so welcome.  A must if you haven't been.

  https://www.jauntygoatcoffee.co.uk/

2. Hair Café. I've been going to Hair Cafe for about five years now.  As with many salons, my stylist has changed over the years -one went off on maternity leave, another left due to going travelling, and I've been with my current hairdresser for a couple of years now.  People of all ages go to Hair Cafe, from children getting their hair cut to retired people, it's a testament to how welcome they make their clients feel.  I used to play it very safe with my hair, I would have it coloured red, but always have the cut the same.  For years now, I've gone through a cycle of growing my hair long, getting it cut off.  My current hairdresser said to me about a year ago, 'what's the plan for your hair then?'  I'm not typically the sort of person to plan my life, let alone my hair, so was somewhat thrown, but over the past six months have tried a full fringe -love it-ombre hair, which at first I had with pink ends, have tried purple which has currently faded to a cool mermaidy blue.  This is definitely the year where I've had the hair I've always dreamed of.  I read once that hairdressers dread 'just a trim please', I think the relationship particularly women have with their hair is so important, and my hairdresser has given me superhero hair this year.  No matter what life has thrown at me, I've been able to hold my head high and be confident thanks to the hair!  I see Steven, but any of the stylists are fabulous.  It's not cheap -I go less often than I used to now and colour my hair in between visits sometimes which they are cool with-but worth every penny.  Plus the loyalty scheme means when your card is full your next cut and style is half-price! It's a win win situation.  www.hair-cafe.co.uk
3. 1. The Scented Garden Retreat. 
   I only discovered The Scented Garden Retreat in 2018, I was looking for somewhere to go for a facial, and didn't want to go to one of those salons who presume because you're in your mid-thirties, Botox and fillers are treatments you want or need.  I know girls in their mid-twenties who have Botox, and fair play to them, but it's just not my bag.  I was looking for something affordable and indulgent, and the Freshen and Balance Facial which included a cleanse, facial massage, balancing face mask, and moisturise sounded perfect.  When I phoned to book I was struck straight away by the welcoming and friendly tones of Laura who started the business in 1995 in Godstall Lane -as an aside that's my favourite street in Chester!- and booked my first appointment.  Arriving for my visit at The Scented Garden Retreat, which is now in Northgate Row, I was shown to the Relaxation Room, where it struck me that we never take time to relax and just be anymore.  We are glued to our phones, to social media and, for me at least, it's just not healthy.  The facial was incredible, the collagen face mask was perfect at restoring moisture in my 36 year old face, I always get weirdly emotional at things like that when you are left to collect your thoughts.  I suppose when you've known a lot of pain and trauma, someone showing kindness to you feels strange to get used to.  Since my first visit, I have also had the Reflexology -for someone weirdly phobic about someone touching my feet, it felt fantastic.  I have also had the Indian Head Massage, just amazing, and all of the ladies who carried out my treatments were so lovely to me, and were very adaptable as during the summer my asthma was so severe, I was unable to lie down fully without wheezing.  I recently attended the Christmas event where I purchased some Peppermint oil to help with migraines, and a gorgeous OPI nail varnish.  It's safe to say I will be a returning customer in 2019. www.scented-garden.co.uk
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Hanky Panky Pancakes.  Another discovery in 2018, I met a poet friend here when I was going through a particularly tough time, for Pancakes and Prosecco.  That time I had a pancake with marshmallows, ice cream and strawberry sauce, one suitable for a five year old me, bursting with sugar and an utter delight.  They do gluten free and dairy free options too.  Since then I've tried The Italian Job savoury pancake(with pesto, pine nuts and I think sun dried tomato) -to die for!- and the one with bacon and Maple Syrup at Pride, where they had a pop-up stall(I was a little tipsy so can't remember the name.)  I've been to Hanky Panky pancakes alone and with friends, and every time they've made me feel so welcome, nothing is too much trouble, so if you do have special dietary requirements like me -I'm a special, special girl!- they can tweak the menu to give you the Pancake of Dreams.  The iconic Testify Poetry night is also hosted here, so if you like a peppering of poetry with your Pancakes and Prosecco, make sure to pop in! http://www.hankypankypancakes.com/

5.Little Yellow Pig, Hoole. I was staying in the Hoole area of Chester over the summer. I love Hoole and lived there for five years, it does feel like its own little world with an impressive array of independent clothes boutiques, gift shops, and some well stocked charity shops, it was certainly serendipitous when I stumbled across Little Yellow Pig this year.  The coffee is incredible -the soya lattes are a dream-and they often do gluten free bread so you can choose from either breakfast(I've had an incredible sausage sandwich from here before), lunch(the famous tuna sandwich is famous for a reason, it's A-mazing), or even get your coffee to go if you're on the way to work/the school run.  I've seen loads of Mums with prams here, it's very family friendly.  The staff are extremely easy-going and always chat.  The atmosphere is always very chilled out, and you can help yourself to water as well as read one of the many leaflets for what events are up and coming in Hoole. Plus they also do a loyalty card -an excuse to go back in 2019 for another one of their bacon sandwiches.  Mm, bacon...