Julie says:

My family have been running businesses in Newport since the 18th century – they say it’s in the blood! I was pretty much bought up in this shop, which my Mum opened in 1979.

When you shop locally, you get great choice, expertise, customer service and people will go that extra mile for you. If you can’t get here by closing time, then I’ll always stay open if I can. I’ll also stay open if you want to choose Christmas presents without anyone else around. Try asking the big businesses to do the same for you!

We’ve recently had people coming in asking for lucky crystals for job interviews. We’ve got a huge range and they’ve all got slightly different properties. For example citrine is said to bring abundance – and although you can get a lovely big piece for £95, you can also get a small piece for £2.50, and size isn’t everything when it comes to crystals! We give advice then invite people to use their intuition to choose the pieces that they want.

When you come in here, you can touch, feel and see what we’ve got. You can only tell if it’s something you really want when you pick it up, smell it, or try it on – it’s a sensory experience, which shopping should be, as we’re sensory beings.

We can give lots of specialist advice. So I might say ‘before you go, try this oil to enhance your confidence, and here’s a great book that could help you find success’.

Also because we’re a small business, we can adapt to trends very quickly – if someone wants something new, like the latest oracle card deck or a rare essential oil, we can get it in next week. Chain stores plan months ahead and don’t have that flexibility.

Independent shops give texture, excitement and variety to an area and we’re really linked into our community. When people visit Newport they say they love our small shops – their high streets have become homogenised, and they don’t have the lovely range of small shops that we do here on the Island.”

BEST SELLERS

· Incense –Nag Champa, a traditional Indian blend, transports you to another continent.

· Crystals – Amethyst is popular as it’s believed to reduce worry and aids relaxation.

· Silver jewellery – particularly crystal nose studs.

TRY SOMETHING NEW:

“How about a crystal face roller? They’re widely used in China, where face rolling is an ancient technique used to promote glowing skin. Lots of celebrities swear by it and Meghan Markle is said to be a fan. You roll the big end over your cheeks and forehead and the little end around the delicate eye area. Come into the shop and I can show you how they work.

Crystals have healing properties and the jade roller is said to bring health, wealth and prosperity – it’s the ‘stone of heaven’ in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The rose crystal roller is all about self care and it’s very nurturing.

You can use the rollers with oils to improve the skin tone and they feel really soothing and cooling (particularly if you keep them in the fridge). It’s very relaxing to roll one over your face in the evening, brushing the stress of the day away!”

· Crystal face rollers cost £25

JULIE’S FAVE LOCAL SPOTS:

· The secret gardens around Newport – including the garden at the back of One Holyrood. This town is full of surprises!

· Board – we had our Christmas do there and it was great fun having a meal and a couple of drinks and playing board games!

· Peach – for their chickpea pasties and salads.

· Easy Weigh – for all kinds of spices, homebrew essentials and Sosmix (vegan sausage mix)!

· Farmhouse Fayre – for Island produce and great fruit and veg, including unusual ingredients for my curries, like fresh turmeric root.

· Newport Ale House – it’s my ‘go to’ escape place for real ales and a lovely atmosphere. It’s IW Camra Pub of the Year and the smallest pub on the Island.

· Quay Arts Centre – for culture and drinks by the waterside.

· Bijou Hairdressing and Take 2 Hair and Beauty Salon for a pamper.

CONTACT

Dragonfly, 80 St James St, Newport PO30 1LG

Tel: 01983 523278

www.dragonflywellbeing.co.uk

www.facebook.com/dragonflywellbeingisleofwight

She runs Market Days, a community interest company that aims to re-energise the Friday markets in Newport and celebrate the town’s market heritage.

“I quit my job to do this! I’ve had many professions – including being a pharmacist, Chemistry teacher, entrepreneur and working for the Council – and now I’m having a whale of a time running the markets in Newport. I’m passionate about their role within the community and they’re a really fun place to shop and have a chat.

There have been markets in Newport for over 1000 years and they’ve always been an integral part of the town. There used to be a beast market in the 1950s (known for the loud animals and drunk farmers!), a butter market and a corn market. Now we have the traditional Farmers’ Market every Friday which has been running for 21 years. Everything you see is home produced, and most of it is made on the Island. We’re looking at setting up more markets across the Island too, and ultimately getting a permanent undercover site.

What I love about markets is the buzz and community feeling. Plus markets have the potential to rejuvenate the town centre. Look around at Newport market – it’s so alive! Markets like this are all about connecting the growers and produces with the community – and post Covid, it’s the right time to do this, as the open air provide a safe place to shop.

Part of my role involves nurturing microbusinesses – there’s a high number of these little businesses on the Island and you can find them at the markets. They’re very creative but someone who’s great at making bath bombs in their kitchen might not know about all the red tape involved in running a business or how to set up a merchant bank account. We’ve got the knowledge to support them. Plus we can give them somewhere to sell their products alongside large producers, such as the Garlic Farm.

We want the markets on the Island to become a destination, as they have so much to offer, with eclectic stalls and a great atmosphere. That’s why we’re asking people to ‘take a fresh look at Fridays’ and support your local markets – they’re busy and thriving and a sight to see!

• The Newport Farmers’ Market runs every Friday from 8am-2pm (weather permitting) in St Thomas’ Square.

TOP 3 BEST SELLERS AT NEWPORT MARKET

• Garlic from the Garlic Farm stall

• Mary Case’s honey

• Island shaped biscuits by Clatterford Kitchen