We asked our readers to tell us who their favourite independent traders were.

1 TNT Records:

Found on Duke Street, Barrow, this record shop won Record Shop of the Year in 2019.

The store stocks vinyls from a variety of genres, as well as band merchandise so you can get kitted out with items from your favourite artists.

2 Bumblebee at the Hive:

Tucked away on Scott Street, Barrow, is Bumblebee at the Hive.

The unique shop sells giftware for all occasions.They specialise in painting, distressing and giving new life to furniture.

3 Crafty Hobbies:

Craft Hobbies, based on Cavendish Street in Barrow, describes themselves as the number one model shop in South Cumbria for model railways, dolls’ houses and crafts.

They cater for younger crafters as well as those with more experience.

4 Little Beasties:

Little Beasties is a pet store that caters for all animal, no matter how big or small, or how hairy or scaly.

As well as selling pets, they help to rehome those looking for new families too.

They also sell a wide range of items to keep your pets happy, as well as a range of fishing products.

They can be found on North Lonsdale Terrace, Ulverston.

5 Jenny Stitches:

Jenny Stitches has recently opened in Dalton road, Barrow after having a stall in the market hall for 2 years.

The store specialises in fabrics, patterns and haberdashery.

Jenny Stitches has also been an international hit - selling fabric across Europe and as far as Canada.

6 Board Nerds:

Board Nerds on Cavendish Street, Barrow, is a hobbyist shop for those with a passion for all things geek.

They are focused around Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer and other table top miniatured games.

7 Expressions:

Expressions is a gift shop offering up a wide selection of handbags, accessories, homeware and gifts for all occasions.

Not stopping there, they are also a piercing studio, meaning you can get a brand new piercing at the same time as picking up some great gifts.

Expressions can be found on Dalton Road, Barrow.

8 Heaths:

The toy master himself Phil Heath has been running Heaths Toymaster in Dalton Road, Barrow, since 1971.

Families know Heaths for supplying the best indoor and outdoor toys as well as electronic equipment and board games.

9 Oscar's Nest

Oscar's Nest, Dalton Road, Barrow, is the fundraising store for charity The Owl Sanctuary.

Shop around for gifts while raising money for a brilliant cause. You might even have chance to hold an owl!

10 Squirrel - A Store of Buried Treasure:

The store describes itself as an eclectic mix of home and giftware - the items not usually found in the high street.

This store can be found on Market Street, Ulverston.