Panificio Chirico Bakery
Bedford stalwart, Chiricos has been trading as long as we can remember. Head down to the Saturday market to pick up freshly baked Italian loaves
Our favourite is a Greek!
Panificio Chirico Bakery
Bedford stalwart, Chiricos has been trading as long as we can remember. Head down to the Saturday market to pick up freshly baked Italian loaves
Our favourite is a Greek!
GCH Fishmongers
2 Newnham St, Bedford MK40 3JR
The place for all things seafood.
Also a nice line in condiments, quality tinned fish and sushi making ingredients.
Rollback World
7, Church Arcade, Bedford MK40 1LQ
For all your roller skating, scooter and skateboarding needs!
Rewind Entertainment
18 The Arcade, Bedford MK40 1NS
“For nostalgia nerds and movie lovers” their words not mine! A great little shop/arcade set in the lovely Edwardian arcade, full of unique and quirky items and home to a retro gaming arcade. Booking for game playing), advisable but not essential. Perfect gifts emporium for the nostalgia need in your life!
The Collective Club (pop up)
The Arcade, Bedford
An airy space showcasing the wares of a variety local, independent producers (we love this concept!) From soy candles to floral art pieces. Sustainable, handmade homeware to bath products and baby products. There is truly something for everyone here. (I love my purchase of brass earrings).
This is a pop up, but word is that business is going well and this lovely shop could become a more permanent fixture…
The Arc
7 Howard Street, Bedford
Eclectic is probably the best word to describe this emporium of delights. Sister business (literally) to the wonderful Gallery, this is a go to destination, not only for art supplies, but also quirky prints, jewellry, homeware, retro and vintage finds, the list goes on…. Gift ideas aplenty! Check out the octopus mural that now regales the carpark and keep an eye out for workshops and special events….
Impakt PreLoved
Selling a host of affordable, preloved furniture. Prevents items from ending up in landfill and benefits a local housing charity.
Boxxed Vintage
10 Church Arcade, Bedford MK40 1LQ
Budget friendly, used branded and vintage clothing and accessories
The Sound Garage
St Cuthberts Arcade, St Cuthberts Street, Bedford MK40 3JG
Pre loved vinyl and CDs. Music books, instruments, t shirts, artwork, accessories and collectibles. A real mecca for music lovers and an excellent place to find a gift for the muso in your life. A friendly, family run spot for all things musical. Great for a rummage!
Boutique Planet
8 The Arcade, Bedford MK40 1NS
“Unique, sustainable, stylish” sums it up nicely. This women’s clothing store in the heart of the Edwardian arcade has been around a long while and with good reason. Offering a calm, uncluttered environment, high quality women’s wear, shoes and accessories with friendly style advice available on request, it’s difficult to beat.
Fealy’s
6, Church Arcade, Bedford MK40 1LQ
Irish grocery produce including the legendary Taytos, Red lemonade and Barry’s tea, to name a few!
Slide Records
9 The Arcade, Bedford MK40 1NS
If vinyl is your thing, this is just a great independent record shop. Primarily stocking new releases of all genres, there is also a nice line in music books, and Slide merchandise, such as fabric tote bags. Gift vouchers available. A good spot to pick up tickets for gigs at Esquires. Watch out for in store events.
Rudi’s shoe repairs and keys
7 Mill St, Bedford, MK40 3EU
A lovely chap who sorts all our shoe based woes. Wouldn’t go anywhere else.
Epanoui
44 Mill Street, Bedford MK40 3HD
This diminutive shop offers owner Hannah’s hand crafted jewellery collections inspired by nature. Also home to a perfectly curated collection of homeware and wellbeing products. It is the perfect place to pick up a gift. Lookout for workshops and one off events.
Kasztelan
62 High Street, Bedford, Mk40 1NT
A Polish mini market on the High Street. We went initially as we had a tip off about the tomatoes! Yes, they are good! Also a nice range of loose fresh fruit and veg and some excellent fresh pickled gherkins. A great deli counter, fresh cakes and an impressive range of herbal teas that we are currently working our way through….
Meat & More
7 North Parade, Greyfriars, Bedford Mk40 1JF
Millar Tree
53 Roff Avenue, Bedford Mk41 7TJ
Been around since I was a teenager – maybe longer! If you find your self in need of khakis, camo gear, or anything military surplus, you need look no further!
Ser & Beri
2 Dane Street, Bedford, England, MK40 1AH
Not long open, this friendly, primarily Turkish mini market located in Dane Street offers a vast array of Mediterranean products. Unusual fruit and veg and dried fruit and nuts, all available loose, by weight. Exotic looking breads, meats, pulses and ambient goods. More baklava than you can shake a stick at! Each customer receives a free Turkish tea or coffee, which we think is a particularly nice touch….
Lotus Store
16 Castle Lane, Bedford, MK40 3US
This gem of a shop is a stockist of world foods; from Vietnamese to Moroccan and everything in between. Also a nice line in CDs (perfect for old schoolers like us!)
Montego’s Market
15-19 Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3EU
Our go to place for spices and more exotic fruit and veg. Always come away with a couple of bottles of Red Stripe too!
Olawa Bakery
33 Tavistock St, Bedford MK40 2RB
People travel from afar to sample the fabulous array of fresh Polish bread and cakes. You will be impressed by the sheer variety of breads and may not know where to start – I advise starting at the top row and working your way down! Now also serving ice cream and French hotdogs with new seating – should you need to indulge your cravings straight away…
The Store
26 St Cuthbert’s St, Bedford MK40 3JG
We are regulars at this recently extended zero waste shop. Just about everything you can imagine from cleaning products, to dried goods, even olive oil and oat milk on tap.
Ideal Supermarket
71-73 Midland Road, Bedford MK40 1QH
Just love this place for authentic flatbreads, tahini, colorful tins of eye watering harissa, pul biber, and jars of beautiful pulses.
Price Check
Harpur Centre, 100 Horne Ln, Bedford MK40 1TJ
Town centre based for emporium of italian foods. Walls of pasta, an impressive range of dried herbs and spices and Cinzano for all our aperitivo needs!
Gunns Bakery
51 High St, Bedford MK40 1RZ
Traditional old school bakers. Home of the legendary sweet/savoury Bedfordshire Clanger. Good range of loaves, scones and cakes. Great line in seasonal baked goods such as mince pies, hot cross buns etc.
Impakt interiors
14-15 The Arcade, Bedford MK40 1NS
A charity shop with a difference; taking donated preloved furniture and upcycling it into one off pieces and things of beauty. All for the great cause of alleviating local homelessness.
The Flying Cork
43 St Cuthbert’s St, Bedford MK40 3JG
A great spot for less run of the mill wine and spirit options. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, they have been known to take requests!
Wholefoods
1 Thurlow St, Bedford MK40 1LR
This Bedford stalwart has been here for more than 30 years. Our go to for vitamins, supplements, eco toiletries, herbal teas etc. On occasion I have also may found the odd ingredient I’ve struggled to find elsewhere such as orange flower water, rosewater and the like.
La Boutique of South America! (dormant)
71 High St, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7BT
A little piece of Brazil, here in Kempston! From top quality cuts for the barbecue to a host of Brazilian products to try including pao de queijo (cheese bread) and a range of hot sauces! Now also serving ice cold beer!
Rosehip Bespoke Floristry
Unit 1, The Barn, Cople Rd, Cardington, Bedford MK44 3SH
Based at The Barn, Cardington this friendly duo create the most stunning floral displays with their own organic and natural style.