About Us

Hi! Independent Worthing is our passion project: and we are Sophie and Graeme. We met in 2012, married in 2016 and started working together in 2020 – on Independent Worthing. Sophie grew up in Worthing; Graeme moved to the area from London. We have since gone on to become full-time indie business owners ourselves; something we both feel is in our blood having been bought up by indie parents and even having indie grandparents.

Independent Worthing was born in the early days of the Covid Pandemic, though the seed was sown even earlier than that. In 2015, we moved to a vibrant Worthing neighbourhood which we chose in part due to its indie vibe with local shops and bars, and a real buzz. We got to know the owners of our local micropub, met some of our neighbours over drinks and formed friendships and connections. Our local florist provided our wedding flowers, and before that the flowers for Sophie’s mum’s funeral. Our local baker made food for our wedding, and we bought wines for special occasions from a nearby shop that we now own – the owner at the time is now considered a friend. We couldn’t have been happier with our choice of where to call home – it just felt ‘right’. The community vibe and sense of belonging we felt largely a result of the wonderful indies on our doorstep.

In 2020, Covid happened. It’s easy to forget how new and difficult it was for everyone at the very start, with no knowledge or guidance… not knowing what lay ahead, or what to do for the best. Coming back from the shops one day during this time, we bumped into one of the owners of the local micropub and chatted to them about it. They described how they were struggling to know what to do: some businesses had started closing but nothing was really known so early on; there were no lockdowns yet, and indies faced a total loss of income and mounting debt if they didn’t stay open. We really felt the moral angst and worry of this indie owner, and felt for them, and for our way of life. At home, we reflected on the plight of our beloved local indies – and all the small businesses in the town we called home. We decided to try and help in our own small way, so we started a Facebook group! The aim was to encourage people to support, and connect with, indie businesses in Worthing, as well as to provide a space for information sharing in what would become an unpredictable and changeable landscape over the years of the global pandemic.

The feedback we received – from businesses and customers alike, quite honestly blew us away. Before we really knew what was happening, we had thousands of followers, and people relying on our platform to know how to get vital services for themselves and their loved ones, and to give support and thanks to their valued local indies.

Since then, the evolution of IW has been organic, and it very much remains something we feel deeply attached to, and proud of. We have grown our social media presence through Facebook and Instagram, organised and curated a monthly makers and producers market, built a website and app, and launched a subscription designed as a ‘circular economy’, where people are rewarded with discounts for shopping with local indies, and the income used to maintain the support we provide to those same IW member business owners. The subscription supports our platforms promoting indies, enables us to offer business to business discounts and support, as well as online and in-person networking and peer support. A real community.

Over the past few years, we have learned so much, especially since becoming business owners ourselves – which has enriched our understanding of what small businesses need, as well as how best to support them. We feel that the economic and political climate (globally, nationally and locally) has strengthened our (already strong!) belief in the value of indies – and demonstrated the importance of shopping local, now more than ever.

Independent businesses represent so many values and characteristics that we all need to hold on to – independence of course, but also ingenuity, adaptability, resilience, originality, care, craftsmanship, community, reduced environmental impact, and so much more. Sadly, support for independent business does not appear to be at the forefront of political or economic agendas, and often local initiatives like ours are vital to allow access to support for isolated indie businesses.

Thank you to every one of you that has supported our work. We can’t wait to see where IW takes us in the future.

With access to discounts from over 145 local businesses, you can discover a vibrant array of offerings. From charming independent cafes serving artisanal coffee to boutique shops offering unique handmade crafts, and family-run restaurants serving delicious food, there’s something for everyone.

Explore the diverse offerings, including antique stores, craft shops, art, cinemas, pubs and restaurants, to support the local economy and find hidden gems.