Vintage Shop of the Year 2013

Read about our shortlisted businesses and then vote for your favourite below – you could win a fabulous two-night break in London. And remember, if the shop you'd like to vote for isn't on the list, simply nominate them in the 'People's choice' section.

Barter Books

Housed within the magnificent old Alnwick railway station, Barter Books has grown into one of the largest secondhand bookshops in Britain, selling everything from pre-loved children’s books for 90p to collectable antique books for £10,000. Dogs are welcome, fireside browsing is encouraged and the buffet is a treat.

Alnwick Station, Northumberland, NE66 2NP.
01665 604888;
barterbooks.co.uk
Beatengreen

A vintage shop with a whole lot of other things going on, Beaten Green offers an array of services including upholstery, interior design, creative workshops, upcycling courses, furniture restoration and house clearances, as well as designing new pieces from vintage or recycled raw materials.

The Old Masonic Lodge, St Andrew’s Street, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1AH.
01736 796799;
beatengreen.co.uk
Berties

Situated in the market town of Craven Arms, Berties stocks glamorous period fashions from the 1930s to the 1960s. To complete the look, there's an array of accessories – from walking canes to vintage sunglasses – and, if you want to create your own pieces, an extensive haberdashery.

14 Market Street, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9NW.
07532 004313;
berties-vintage.co.uk
Catherine Smith Vintage Fashion

Owner Catherine Smith seeks out only the best and rarest in vintage fashion from all eras. Beautifully displayed and staged with original, antique shop fittings, this exquisite boutique has a growing reputation as a ‘must visit’ for vintage lovers everywhere.

57a Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, HG2 0NL.
01423 500234;
catherinesmithvintage.co.uk
Cristobal

For 30 years Cristobal has specialised in costume jewellery dating from the turn of the 20th century to the 1970s, attracting a clientele as far afield as Australia, China and the USA. It makes a special effort to acquire unusual or rare pieces for clients by request.

6 Church Street, London, NW8 8EP.
020 7724 7230;
cristobal.co.uk
Decoratum

Decoratum specialises in vintage and retro furniture with a huge stock of original pieces from the 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s, which are becoming increasingly sought-after by collectors. Also on offer is a great range of contemporary pieces from some of today's most gifted designers.

31-33 Church Street, London, NW8 8ES.
020 7724 6969;
decoratum.com
Edward & Vintage

Situated in a former post office in the heart of the Peak District National Park, Edward & Vintage offers a wide range of vintage homeware, handmade baskets and locally crafted vintage gifts, alongside a mouth-wateringly magical 1940s-style sweet shop.

Beech Cottage, Chapel Lane, Tissington, Derbyshire, DE6 1RA.
01335 390537;
edwardandvintage.co.uk
Elemental

Established 15 years ago in Spitalfields, east London, Elemental has a reputation for finding unique, inspiring and aspirational antique and vintage pieces. From industrial lighting and steel-tube chairs to mahogany shop fittings and eye-catching curiosities, the collection is always evolving.

67 Brushfield Street, London, E1 6AA.
020 7247 7588;
elemental.uk.com
Fanny’s Antiques

Housed in a characterful old meat depot, Fanny’s prides itself on being Reading's most interesting vintage shop. It's been established for over 20 years – owner Julia Lyons puts its success down to the range of quality, no-nonsense antiques and collectables at good-value prices.

1 Lynmouth Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8DE.
0118 950 8261
Fragile Design

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Fragile Design specialises in high-quality mid-century modern furniture and collectables. The well laid out showroom is a pleasure to browse – and there isn’t the faintest whiff of the hard sell.

3 Devonshire House, The Custard Factory, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AA.
0121 224 7378;
fragiledesign.com
Hope & Harlequin

Not only does this popular Brighton store have a lovely selection of hand-picked vintage clothing and wedding dresses, you'll also find a range of objets d'art and classic interior pieces, all carefully sourced, beautifully presented and sensibly priced.

31 Sydney Street, Brighton, BN1 4EP.
01273 675222;
hopeandharlequin.com
In My Room

Unusual or forgotten classic pieces (think Bond villain Blofeld’s chair – a G Plan model 6250) are what makes owner Oliver Learmonth’s heart beat faster. Regularly changing stock includes 20th-century design, art deco, industrial, mid-century and contemporary pieces, all individually sourced and lovingly restored.

35 Gloucester Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4AQ.
01273 675506;
inmyroom.co.uk
Little Paris

The sounds of Edith Piaf and Serge Gainsbourg welcome you to Little Paris – an authentic piece of le Rive Gauche in north London. Shop for vintage French furniture, curiosities and decorative items, along with fashion accessories, candles and perfumes.

39 Park Road, Crouch End, London, N8 8TE.
020 8340 9008;
littleparis.co.uk
Odyssey

Recently relocated to Camden Passage, Odyssey offers an eye-popping selection of colourful mid-century modern lighting, ceramics, glass and furniture from British, Scandinavian and European designers. Complementary industrial lighting and furniture is another speciality.

47 Camden Passage, Islington, London N1 8EA.
020 7226 3255
Pimpernel & Partners

This shop has an unusual claim to fame: its window appeared on the cover of Mumford & Sons' first album. The store's fans love it for other reasons though – namely the pretty stock of vintage French home accessories, enamelware, mirrors, flower paintings, garden ornaments and upholstered furniture.

596 Kings Road, Fulham, London, SW6 2DX.
020 7731 2448;
pimpernelandpartners.co.uk
Pineapple Ice Bucket Retro

This small shop in the New Forest village of Brockenhurst is every bit as fun as its name suggests. Expect colourful vintage glassware, 1950s china, vibrant Melaware plastics, lighting, quality furniture and so much more, all with just a sprinkle of kitsch.

Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7RH.
01590 624429;
pineappleicebucket.co.uk
Purple Haze

Nestled just round the corner from the Shambles on Fossgate, Purple Haze offers a large, ever-changing mix of vintage clothing and accessories for men and women covering the 1940s to the 1980s. Classic English tailoring and country wear for men, and 1950s day wear for women are particular strengths.

52 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF
01904 630407
Rennie's Seaside Modern

Paul and Karen Rennie's enticing shop is housed in a ship's cabin by the sea in Folkestone and specialises in 20th-century British art and design. Stock includes vintage posters, books, artist-designed ceramics, enamel badges and Hermes silk scarves.

47 The Old High Street, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1RN.
01303 242427;
rennart.co.uk
Revival

Owner Sue Nurse ‘can’t stop buying’ and her shop of 30 years is crammed to the gunnels with vintage and current clothing. You’ll need to duck under tutus to get in and to have a proper rootle through but, for fashion fans, this is a real gem.

64 High Street, Totnes, TQ9 5SQ.
07984 406826
Shabby Barn

When friends Bethan Hensser and Kate Roscoe had filled their own homes with beautifully renovated furniture, they decided to go into business together and The Shabby Barn was born. It's filled with classic and unusual furniture complemented by decorative objects including pictures, ceramics and cushions.

Thetford Road‬, Riddlesworth, Norfolk, IP22 2TD‬.
01953 681075‬‬‬‬;
theshabbybarn.co.uk
The Vintage Emporium

This fantastic boutique is crammed full of the finest in vintage clothing and accessories, dating from the Victorian era to the 1950s. And once you've finishing shopping, you can heard upstairs to its Victorian-style tea rooms, serving a tempting selection of teas and delicacies.

14 Bacon Street, Brick Lane, London, E1 6LF.
020 7739 0799;
vintageemporiumcafe.com
Vintage Emporium York

Owner Keeley Harris has a fabulous eye for quality and her shop has an eclectic mixture of genuine vintage pieces from the 1920s to 1960s. Expect fashion, costume jewellery, luggage, kitchenware, '50s ceramics, wedding dresses and more.

18 Fishergate, York, YO10 4AB.
01904 619899;
vintageemporiumyork.co.uk
Vintage to Vogue

‘Recycling quality never goes out of fashion,’ is the motto of owner Imren Eshref, who specialises in carefully selected men's and women's clothing and accessories from bygone eras, all the way through to items from the classic designers of today. Friendly advice and a styling service is also on offer.

28 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DG.
01225 337323;
vintagetovoguebath.com
Vintage Treasures

In this small, friendly shop you’ll find an eclectic mix of items for your home, from old buttons and bread bins to cushions made from vintage fabrics, via enamelware, gardenalia, mirrors and small items of furniture.

5a The Lawns, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 1DY.
07890 939236;
vintage-treasures.co.uk
Wardrobe & Vanstone

Two dealers, each with over 25 years experience in finding must-have vintage items, comprise this interesting shop. Vintage clothing, accessories and homeware are all on offer but it’s the extraordinary range of Bakelite jewellery that catches the eye.

51 Upper North Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3FH.
01273 202201