To Open a Shop Window to British-Made

Great Britain has a global reputation for excellence in innovation, design and manufacturing. Our role is to give this wealth of talent a shop window to the world, both here in Bakewell and online.

To Support British makers, designers and innovators

We believe in the skills of the people of Great Britain, and we love the quality products they create. Our makers range from long-established household names to emerging manufacturers, independent craft producers and high-end designers. Every purchase supports a British maker.

To Curate an Enticing Range

Our shelves reflect Britain’s colourful heritage and wonderful traditions, alongside exciting new lines that showcase the best in contemporary British design. Many of our products are made especially for us, so you won’t find them anywhere else.

To Make British-Made Quality Accessible to All

Our products are well made and available at every price point. From a humble pencil to a handmade leather handbag, there’s something for everyone who appreciates quality British craftsmanship.

Our definition of “British Made” is that the product must have gone through “a substantive change”.

For example, if a company imports a hide of leather and turns it into a pair of shoes, we consider those shoes to be made in Great Britain. There are many products in the marketplace that, at first glance, seem to be made here but would not satisfy our criteria; for example, we often see ceramics labelled “Decorated in Great Britain”. If a mug is imported and the final decoration is done here, the product came into the country as a mug and, after decoration, it is still a mug, so we would not be satisfied that it was wholly made in Great Britain.

We share what “British Made” truly means to us, why it matters, and how it shapes everything we do – from choosing our suppliers to creating our own collections. Because for us, it’s not just a label. It’s a commitment to integrity, provenance, and the makers whose skill and passion shape every product.

Authenticity

One of the driving motivations behind creating the British Emporium was the widespread use of misleading phrases used to describe something as “Made in Great Britain”, for which surprisingly there is no ‘official’ definition.

Over the past thirty years or so, retail buyers in Britain have steadily moved their product sourcing overseas, to obtain higher margins through cheaper and often poorer quality alternatives. We have become increasingly dismayed by labelling intended to give the impression that these products are still being made in Britain. Typical misleading phases used by many iconic brands include: “Designed in Britain”, “British Heritage”, “Great British Design”, “British Innovation”. Confusingly, many of these brands make liberal use of the Union Jack, the application of which sadly is not restricted in any way.

The British Emporium only sells products genuinely made in Great Britain.

Honesty

Not every raw material or component is available in Great Britain, sometimes because the industry has sadly been lost or perhaps because it is not grown or extracted here. 

We will always strive to make such circumstances as clear as possible to our customers.

Exceptional Customer Service

We believe exceptional service means being available when you need us - whether that's in our shop, over the phone, or when shopping online. We respect and care about our customers. 

We like to talk to you. 

You can therefore find our phone number, address and email address on our website.

Sustainability

Any manufacturing process has an impact on the environment around us and it is unrealistic to suggest otherwise.  Concern for the world we live in should therefore be an integral part of every business.  

Responsible manufacturing combines good design and quality material with efficient production methods and safe waste management, to make worthwhile products that will stand the test of time. We believe that if we pay a little bit more for something that is well made it will not only last longer, but we will also care for it more. 

Many of the things you buy from us you may well be handing down to your children!

Integrity & Pride

As a wholly owned family business we are not subject to the pressures of shareholders or external investors; we make our own decisions, choosing products we think our customers will love, rather than being purely commercially driven by margins.

We are proud of our ethics and proud of our suppliers, who strive to produce beautiful quality products you can be proud to own.

We would like to take a moment to explain what we define as “Great Britain”, as it is not as straightforward as you might think!

Great Britain is the union of England, Scotland the Wales. England was formally united with Wales by the Acts of Union of 1536 and 1542. In 1707 the Acts of Union were passed by the parliaments of England and Scotland to unite the two kingdoms and so the United Kingdom of Great Britain was formed; a wonderful collective of three countries, each rich in its own distinctive traditions and culture. In 1801 the union with the Kingdom of Ireland created the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. However, most of Ireland seceded from the UK in 1922 to form the Republic of Ireland, which is a separate sovereign state, leaving the present United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which formally adopted its name in 1927.

The Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey in the Channel Islands are independent self-governing British Crown Dependencies with their own parliaments, governments and laws and are therefore not part of the UK. To confuse things just a little more The British Isles is a purely geographical term – referring to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland.

So, to conclude; at the British Emporium we stock products made in Great Britain, comprising – Wales, Scotland and England.

Situated in the heart of the beautiful Peak District National Park, our Bakewell store can be found in the centre of Bakewell, on Bridge Street. With ample parking in the town and an abundance of tempting food stores, cafes and pubs, it is the ideal lunch spot for a day out in the Peaks.