Shop Dorking Support Local

Whether you are planning a bit of retail therapy to lift your mood, getting to grips with your Christmas shopping or you just need some essentials, don’t forget the most important item to put on your list…“SHOP LOCAL”.

Never has it been more vital to pull together as a community and show our loyalty to Dorking’s retailers and businesses. There are many benefits to be enjoyed – emotionally as well as economically.

– Supporting individual Dorking businesses boosts our local economy as a whole

– You’ll get exceptional, often personalised, customer service

– Local businesses tend to know more about what they are selling

– Shopping locally reduces environmental impact so it’s better for the planet too

– It feels good, as well as doing good!

Our fabulous eclectic range of shops, businesses and stall holders means there is so much to discover in Dorking. Browse shop windows, websites or our markets for inspiration and you’ll find truly unique gifts and treats as well as those all important everyday essentials.

What’s more, Dorking’s LoyalFree app features tours and trails to make your shopping even easier – including listings of businesses who deliver to your door or provide click and collect services, as well as special deals, discounts and offers for you to take advantage of.

Dorking’s weekly Friday market continues to trade as usual (with social distancing measures in place) in the upper area of St Martin’s Walk car park. Just a short distance from the Friday market, you will also find Dorking’s FoodFloat in its temporary new location of the main square in St Martin’s Walk. The FoodFloat is open Fridays only for the time-being from 8.30am – mid afternoon, but customers can also book local deliveries online which will be carried out on Thursdays and Saturdays. Contact [email protected] for details or click here.

Don’t forget, Dorking’s Artisan Market will be back in St Martin’s Walk car park on Sunday 6th December (11am – 4pm) – presenting a perfect opportunity to shop its exciting and enticing stalls for gorgeous Christmas presents and festive treats! See below for more Christmas shopping in Dorking news…

If shopping improves your mood (and who doesn’t need a bit of that right now?), when you “Shop Dorking, Support Local” you’ll be lifting the spirits of our wonderful retailers too.

Make it your business to support local businesses and let’s give Dorking a boost!

Free Giveaways Up For Grabs

Shop local and you could get more than you bargained for! Dorking Town Partnership has free monthly giveaways for local shoppers. Simply tag #ShopDorking online with a picture of your local purchase (items bought online from local businesses also count) to be in with a chance to win a prize.

See @helloDorking for more details, including Dorking’s LoyalFree app.

Shop Local for Christmas

The lead up to Christmas might feel a bit different at the moment, but there are still lots of great reasons to Shop Local via Dorking’s retailers, businesses and markets. Even if some of our lovely shops can’t be open as usual right now, many are offering free delivery or click and collect services for online purchases. So please do continue to show your support for local businesses at such an important time of the year.

On Sunday 6th December, in addition to Dorking’s Artisan Market (11am – 4pm in St Martin’s Walk car park), there is also a special Christmas Market taking place at the Dorking Halls. Curated by Dorking based Dapper & Suave, the Dorking Halls Christmas Market offers a mix of art, beauty, jewellery, accessories and food perfect for gifting. Entry is free but tickets for specific shopping slots must be booked in advance to comply with social distancing measures: Book your ticket here.

You’ll find more fabulous gifts and festive feels a-plenty the following week at Dorking’s Christmas Market in St Martin’s Walk (Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December).

MVDC is offering free Saturday parking throughout the town on the 5th, 12th and 19th December, plus don’t forget Dorking Town Partnership’s “free after 3pm Friday” parking offer too which runs up to 29th January 2021 (available in St Martin’s Walk, Wathen Road, Southside and West Street car parks).

Please do keep an eye and an ear open for Government announcements regarding the lifting of the current national restrictions or the introduction of any tiered measures that will come in to effect after December 2nd. Let’s all hope our local retailers, businesses, restaurants, cafes, pubs and coffee shops will have an easier time trading in the final run up to Christmas and whatever happens let’s do all we can to Shop Dorking, Support Local.