Nusye McComish – SouthSeaEyes

Simple Steps to Build a Thriving Community

Before we end the year, I’d like to share an observation. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a year-on-year reduction in local support—2024 feels quieter compared to 2023, and 2023 compared to 2022. This decline matters deeply as we move further into the 2020s, especially for local businesses and creatives who depend on their communities to thrive.

Local busineses are the backbone of Portsmouth and Southsea, offering unique products, personalised service, and a connection that larger corporations simply can’t replace. It’s about bringing not just goods and services, but also heart, creativity, and connection to our community.

For me these small, welcoming spaces are more than businesses – they are a lifeline. Managing anxieties can make stepping outside alone a challenge, and it takes careful (and some days, extensive) planning to push past those barriers. And I’ve found that certain places in our community – especially the incredible cafés scattered throughout, give me the courage to take that step.

Whether it’s Cafe Fresco at CourtX, where Flo and Head Chef Wayne and the team greet every visitor with genuine warmth, or Southsea Coffee Co., where Jenny’s earlier front-of-house (Jen, I miss you and wish you the very best!) created a safe, comforting atmosphere that Tara and her team now continue with equal charm, these cafés have become destinations where I feel welcomed and supported. Walking in to see a friendly smile or experincing the thoughtful care that goes into creating such spaces has made all the difference.

Cafés like Offbeet Café on Albert Road, Pie&Vinyl, The Tenth Hole, Garage Lounge, The Parade TeaRooms, Smile Cafe on Marmion Road, and the newer Blue’s Eatery on Osborne Road, with Laila and Kaltrina serving delicious Eastern European cuisine, all contribute to this sense of comfort and familiarity, making it feel a little …gentler.

This is why it’s so important to support local businesses. Without consistent help from the community, these spaces can struggle to stay open. Remember Sparkle Rocket on Albert Road? Natalie’s delightful kawaii chibi plushies brought joy to so many but lasted about one year. Every small business we lose is a loss for all of us – a missed opportunity to connect, learn, grow, and thrive.

Beyond cafés, independent natural beauty shops like Stef Soares’ Goły Natural frequents markets like Hotwalls Studios Wellbeing at The Round Tower, and Love Southsea Market.

The reality is that the current economic system favours billionaires and monopolies. Local small businesses rely on the relationships and trust they build with their communitities to survive. We, the people who frequent these spaces and love what thy bring to our lives, hold the key to their success.

These are the businesses that make Portsmouth and Southsea unique – but they need our support to thrive. Here’s how yuou can help from today:

1. Shop Local and Share The Joy

Supporting local businesses is one of the easiest ways to invest in our community. Every purchase contributes to the vibrant network of makers, shops, and cafés that make Portsmouth and Southsea unique. It’s not about limiting choices—it’s about choosing to sustain the places that give our area its character and strength.

Ideas to try:

Explore independent shops like Strong Island on Marmion Road, owned by Tristan and Katie with their baby, Elias. And for sustainability, visit Robyn and Merlin’s Vintage Clothing Store on Albert Road, Southsea.

Celebrate the seasons with local makers. For example, at Christmas, I ordered my wreath from Vanessa Jayne Design, who has a beautiful ethos of using seasonal and natural florals for weddings and events across the South of England. The wreath not only made my front door look happy and well-dressed but filled the air with gorgeous scents of pine, eucalyptus, and moss—pure charm.

Consider purchasing gift certificates for your loved ones, from your local artist and creatives, like Alice Hume, based at the Portsmouth Museum, who regularly runs a charming textile weaving workshops. Or Liz Linfield’s AhoyDare knitting creations, situated just above Bay Coffee on Burgoyne Road.

Visit new gems like Stay Lucky for thoughtful gifts and homewares on Elm Grove – Louise O’Brien’s, our Lou of SouthseaFolk, runs a fun and flash new gift and lifestyle store – reminding us of the vibrancy that local businesss bring. Share your positive shopping experiences on social media to help spread the word.

For example: As a local artist, I run meetings with other creatives at local cafés, like Café Fresco and Southsea Coffee co . We share our love for these cafes on social media, inspiring others to visit.

2. Gather at the Southsea Seafront

The newly revitalised Southsea Seafront Coastal Scheme offers a stunning space for the community to come together.

Ideas to Try

• Organise a group walk or creative meet-up along the promenade
• Host pop-up showcases or local markets near the new Windbreaks shelter.
• Strengthen relationships by simply showing up and supporting each other.
• Example: Perhaps members of The Creative Social Southsea are to gather for a brainstorming walk along the promenade, sparking new ideas for collaboration?

3. Collaborate with Local Businesses

Collaboration is key to innovation and mutual growth. By partnering with local businesses, you help expand their reach while enriching your own offerings.

Ideas to try:

Visit local galleries at The Corner Collective Gallery on Albert Road, including artists Midge, Mook, Pogo and Roo Abrook. With Fark managing the space, it’s become a dynamic hub blending street art with fine art—and perhaps, in the spring, something particularly special *may* bloom there (nudge nudge, ahem, cough cough).
Example: SouthSeaEyes Printmaker collaborated with The Corner Collective Gallery and Southsea Paper Blooms for an exhibition that brought together crossover between mythology and art and makers, strengthening community ties.

Utilise SeaDog Print Studio for embroidery or screenprinting services, supporting Stu Linfield and Emma Nicol in their mission to assist local businesses. I had my Vinted-sourced denim jumpsuit uniforms embroidered at SeaDog Print Studio, supporting their brilliant local craftsmanship

Add a personal touch to your projects with patches from HannahSouthsea, a one-woman business whose sewing skills elevate every piece. Hannah added individual patches to my printmaking uniform, giving them a personal touch and making them uniquely my style.

when we invest in our local businesses, we’re investing in a cycle of giving that uplifts the entire community.

4. Amplify on Social Media

A simple social media post can have an incredible impact on a local business. Share their stories and help them reach a broader audience.

• Use hashtags like #SouthseaCreatives or #localbusiness to showcase local gems.
• Tag businesses in your posts to highlight their offerings.
• Share their stories and campaigns, like FatClay Pottery’s workshops offers.

5. Share Their Stories

Help local businesses reach new audiences by sharing their journeys:

• Write blog posts or articles about your favourite local businesses (I’m doing this, see?)
• Interview owners to give their stories a platform (hopefully future me can do this)
• Encourage others to share their positive experiences online.

6. Give the Gift of Local

Gift cards are an easy and thoughtful way to support local businesses;
Try purchase gift cards for friends and family from local cafés, shops, or service providers (this includes workshops). And then encourage businesses to offer digital gift cards for convenience. I have introduced this at Q4 2024. 2025 gift certificates will also be available when I continue public printmaking workshops at end of Q1.

7. Spread the Good Word

Positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations can make a significant impact. Word of mouth remains the most powerful marketing tool because it builds trust, spreads authentic experiences, and creates lasting connections—no advertisement can match a personal recommendation.

You can confidently share good things about the local businesses you use because your experience is real and meaningful—your words have the power to help others discover the same value, trust, and connection you’ve found. When you can, please do try:

• To leave thoughtful reviews on platforms like Google or Facebook.
• To highlight your favourite products or services in your posts.
• To encourage friends to do the same.

8. Be a Voice in Local Government

Advocating for policies and programmes that support local businesses and creatives can make a lasting difference. Consider:

• Attending Council Meetings: Share the perspectives of local creatives and business owners.
• Encourage Collaborations: Advocate for stronger ties between organisations like Portsmouth Creates and efforts such as The Creative Social Southsea, helping them grow, into a standalone initiative, or under the umbrella of Portsmouth Creates’ support.

9. Network and Support Creative Spaces

Connection is key. Networking events help businesses grow their reach and confidence.
You could:
Host or attend networking events at venues like The Creative Social Southsea.
Encourage collaborations between creatives, businesses, and local organisations – remember word-of-mouth? This is incredibly helpful for getting the word out.

Many of these businesses, in turn, give back to the community.

10. Make Space for Local in Your Own Business

If you run a business, collaborate with or showcase local artists and creatives.
For instance:

• Feature products from local shops or promote them in your marketing.
• Partner with creatives for exclusive products or collaborations.

Conclusion: Building a Stronger Community Together

Every purchase, every kind word, and every moment of support for a local business adds up. Portsmouth and Southsea thrive on the passion, creativity, and resilience of its local businesses and creatives. These are the spaces where community is built, ideas are shared, and dreams are nurtured.

Many of these businesses, in turn, give back to the community. The Creative Social Southsea frequently donates fundraising proceeds to local charities, while others, like myself, continue to support initiatives such as Veterans Outreach Support or pro bono efforts for causes like Portsmouth Carers. These acts of goodwill and generosity show that when we invest in our local businesses, we’re investing in a cycle of giving that uplifts the entire community.

This is what we can learn: by helping our community, we help improve lives, foster connections, and even enhance our own sense of well-being.

For those who can, here are 5 quick actions to help support local businesses today:

1. Buy Local: Make one small purchase from a local café, shop, or creative. Every bit helps!
2. Share Online: Post about your favourite local business or creative on social media to spread the word.
3. Leave a Review: Write a glowing review online—it’s like giving a big virtual high-five to a local business! Write a positive review on Google or Facebook to help boost their visibility.
4. Tell a Friend: Recommend a local business to someone—it’s simple but powerful.
5. Engage in Events: Attend a local market, exhibition, or workshop and show your support in person.

The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities to turn this around. Every small action—whether it’s sharing a kind word, attending a local event, or making a purchase from an independent shop—helps rebuild the connections that make our community strong and vibrant.

For those of you who have been supporting: THANK YOU

Together, we can ensure Portsmouth and Southsea remain vibrant, welcoming, and full of opportunities for everyone who calls this place home. Each of these small actions, done with intention, can create ripples that help our community thrive in ways big and small.

May we continue to grow together into 2025!

Your Printmaking artist, local creative,

Nusye

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