BECOME A MEMBER
Do you run an independent business in Oxfordshire? Do you believe in the value of shopping locally, sustainably and independently? Are you, like us, invested in building a community of people who share these values? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Affordable membership packages are available for independent businesses that not only provides genuine and engaging promotional opportunities for your business, but also welcomes you into a supportive, active community.
Sound great? Then email Rosie and she’ll send you back all the information you need.
MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES –
Support & Community
Attend regular Indie Oxford Business Meet Ups
Opportunity to join the Independent Oxford Business Community WhatsApp Group
Monthly Members Only Newsletter to hear the latest news from us and our network, including additional retail and collaboration opportunities
Connect with other local indies and organisations
Marketing & Promotion
Directory Listing and entry on the online searchable map
Independent Oxford window decal (if you have premises) and/or online sticker
Unlimited event listings on our events page
+ there are always lots of projects and ideas on the go too like the Indie Oxford Magazine and the Indie Oxford Podcast.
Here’s what Indie Oxford members think…
As an indie, it is important to be part of a community and feel supported by other indies that understand what it is to be on your own.
Maud Schmitt, Co-Owner of Maudika Baby (gorgeous handmade baby gifts and clothes) // Summer 2022
We love being part of the IO Comunity because indie businesses are the best! IO has creative, fresh ideas and inspiring people.
Ellie Murphy, Manager of The Garden of Oxford (Oxford’s leading florist with seasonality at it’s heart) // Summer 2022
I love being part of the Indie Oxford Community as the resources the organisation put together are fantastic. The group of local indie businesses are so diverse therefore you really do meet like-minded people doing all sorts of amazing things.
Anna Butler, Owner of Custom Made (awesome modern jewellery brand based in Oxford) // Summer 2022
It’s a joy being around other indies, many of whom are starting up, but all of whom are brilliant in their fields and passionate about what they do. It’s really inspiring to hear their stories and ambitions. Also, the magazine is great!
Graeme Woodward, Co-Owner of Grape Minds (a community focussed wine merchant in Summertown & Wallingford) // Summer 2022
Oxford has such a fantastic local business network, with truly passionate people that love what they do and enhance the local community. Anything to support that is a win-win in my book.
Lewis Ratto, Owner of Alfonso Gelateria (the best gelato in the county) // Summer 2022
I find it very inspirational being part of a community that has so many amazing small business owners.
Jason Warner, Owner of Fyrefly Studios (the coolest indie photographer in the county!) // Summer 2022
Great PR for us plus we want the Indie community to thrive so the more the merrier!
Amy Williams, Co-Owner at May + Co (a super cool indie selling restored furniture & homewares) // Spring 2022
It is great to support each other and keep Oxford as a destination for visiting independent shops.
Rona Marsden, Owner at ronapainting gallery (a neighbourhood art gallery on Walton Street in Jericho) // Winter 2021
It is a great place to link up with, and support local businesses. With a focus on community – it feels like being part of a big family that runs through Oxford.
Ben Bateman, General Manager at Arbequina (a fantastic tapas restaurant on Cowley Road) // Winter 2021
The people and businesses are amazing!! It’s a wonderfully friendly community and a great place to discover all your new favourite things!
Rianna Low, Owner of Jam Puppy Designs (a brilliant graphic designer with a passion for working with small businesses) // Autumn 2021
It is great to know that there is a wealth of ideas and business knowledge/experience that can be tapped into based on our common ground as independent businesses. Alongside the collective promotion of indie businesses with the city and county.
Philip Marston, Co-Owner of Sanders of Oxford (a city centre gem of an indie in the 17th centuary Salutation Inn) // Summer 2021
We’ve made so many wonderful connections through Independent Oxford, Rosie does an amazing job of keeping the indie community connected! It’s a privilege to be part of the community.
Jacqui Thorndyke, Owner of Bitten Digital (a digital agency creating awesome websites & digital content for indies) // Summer 2021
We are grateful for the ongoing support from Indie Oxford. It feels amazing to be a part of a community of like-minded business owners that are dedicated to meaningful collaboration and entrepreneurship.
Ashley Cavers, Co-Founder of The Wonky Food Company (an awesome business tackling food waste by turning surplus food into delicious relishes) // Summer 2021
It’s great to hear about other independent businesses and to share ideas through the network.
Sarah Dennis, Owner of Mostly Books (a fab community orientated bookshop in the heart of Abingdon) // Summer 2021
Indie Oxford is such a fantastic community of supportive, helpful and inspiring businesses and people. Having so many like minded people that are eager to collaborate, promote others and celebrate each other is really empowering and we are really proud to be part of it!
Tess Taylor, Co-Founder of Tap Social Movement (an amazing Oxford brewery helping people who have been through the criminal justice system) // Summer 2021
I like being part of the Indie Oxford community as you get to discover and meet fantastic businesses and interesting people who you might not otherwise have the opportunity to meet, through a range of meet ups/ workshops that are on offer. It helps to join the dots in a city where Independents are not always that visible or easy to find. The Indie Ox team have a great enthusiasm and energy behind all that they do and have a genuine love for helping independents which makes being part of the community something I feel proud to be a part of.
Daniella Cromwell, Manager of Fairtrade at St Michaels (the best kept secret shop in the basement of St Michaels Church right in the centre of Oxford on Cornmarket Street) // Summer 2021
We love the fun, informal yet supportive vibe of Independent Oxford. It’s a useful resource for both customers and business owners – the directory is brilliant for finding things to do, places to eat or shop without immediately gravitating towards the big brands or chains, especially for anyone who’s new in town or visiting.
While there are tremendous joys and benefits, running a small business can be overwhelming. It’s great to connect with other independent business-owners going through the same things, to share experiences and learn from each other. Indie Oxford runs some brilliant meet-ups and events for its members which are invaluable to all.
Sarah Wiseman, Owner of the Sarah Wiseman Gallery (a gorgeous gallery in Summertown, showcasing the best contemporary artists) // Summer 2022
Independent Oxford is the most vibrant, kind, helpful, and just plain fun network I’ve ever been part of! The community are all so supportive and Rosie and Anna go above and beyond to champion each and every indie business. Becoming a member is one of the best investments you could make in your business – and yourself!
Beth Sparey of Bethany Joy (Brand voice crafter and wordsmith extraordinaire) // Spring 2020
I absolutely love being a member of the Independent Oxford community. Rosie and Anna are hugely inspirational and enthusiastic champions of the small independent businesses in Oxford. I’ve had great advice from them, made useful contacts and shared fun social events.
Julia Atkinson, Owner of Happy Cakes (mouthwatering cupcake creator) // Spring 2020
We benefit hugely from the well-thought through workshops and events. Although we all do very different things, we’re all experiencing many of the same highs and lows of being small businesses so it’s wonderful to be able to use the community as a network.
Jake Motion, Owner of House of Fun (fun-filled, family-run holiday camp for little ones) // Spring 2023
I greatly value the support I receive from Independent Oxford – for my business but also for me personally. Being a member of Indie Oxford has opened doors to opportunities, knowledge, and connections. I have met some truly lovely people at actual and virtual meetups, and gained tips and ideas for moving my business forward. It is also great to find out about other independent businesses in Oxford and be able to support them, whether through sales, social media shares, or kind words. Thank you Rosie and Anna.
Claire Waite Brown, Director of Creativity Found (an inspiring community and podcast for creatives) // Spring 2020
Independent Oxford have been a great support and really quite inspirational for us – as an independent coffee business operating in an increasingly difficult climate Rosie and Anna have been real champions for what is special about small indie businesses and raising awareness about buying local. They have created a real community of Oxford independent businesses which has been very supportive, we regularly meet up to share ideas, talk about initiatives that they are working on, or looking at how to turn challenges to our advantage.
Vicky Troth, Creative Director of The Missing Bean (an awesome local collection of coffee shops with a roastery in east Oxford) // Autumn 2018
B2B MEMBERSHIP
Graphic Designer? Small Oxfordshire based HR company? Or local accountant? Welcome!
Indie Oxford also offers membership packages for business to business, service based independents. Just because B2Bs aren’t B2C focused, it doesn’t mean their values aren’t centred around being independent and community orientated.
The Business Services Package gives your business a visible marketing platform and access to the community of 150+ independents who love to know the services they need are also provided by indies.
If you would like more information about the Business Services Package, please send an email and I’ll be in touch with all the details.