If you're after a distinctive stocking filler, Babylon Trading offer a range of delights - many of which are ethically sourced, and all of which are original, and guaranteed to be a memorable gift for a loved one. We spoke to co-founder Miri Allen.
Tell us about what you sell
An eclectic selection of cherry-picked giftware and home interiors.
How long has your business been going?
This is our third year trading in Oxford city centre, and we have previous retail and buying experience of over 25 years in other cities.
What motivated you to start a business?
A passion for interesting décor and handmade objects started it all, with the view that the high street is lacking diversity and originality.
What do you like best about being based in Oxford?
Too much to mention, but
we certainly love being amongst the historic buildings of Oxford and having these amazing views all around us.
Do you think Oxford is a good place to run a small business?
Absolutely.
What attracted us to Oxford in the first place was the strong indie spirit and individuality of the place, with its arty, quirky variety of shops & cafes that you just don’t find so much of in most city centres these days.
What's the best thing about running a small business?
The complete freedom to choose the business direction without restrictions, which allows for our eclectic mix to thrive. Having no one telling you what to do all the time isn’t a bad thing either!
What’s the biggest challenge?
Making the walk to our shop down the High Street worthwhile for our customers, by keeping the shop’s originality and uniqueness at the forefront of our product sourcing.
What's the funniest thing that's happened in the shop?
Our shopfront and windows had an overnight makeover in 2017, transforming them into a bank in the 1960s for the recent Mamma Mia 2 movie, filmed opposite in Queens Lane - only for the part that our shopfront appeared in to end up on the editing floor. The transformation lasted for 5 hours, during which our customers were left wondering what’d happened...
What’s your favorite product?
That changes on a daily basis due to the regular deliveries of new products at the moment, so at the time of writing I would have to say a range Mango Wooden bowls with nautical-themed designs that have been applied to the interior of the bowl using decal enameled technics. They make great salad bowls, are made from sustainable wood and will liven up any dining table as a centrepiece.
Is there anything else you’d like to highlight?
Sustainability has got to be the main issue of our time which must be reflected in our buying policy. We work hard to increase the range of sustainable products and we’re currently displaying a dining furniture range made from reclaimed wood, cork placemats, soy candles, bamboo socks & cups to name a just few items. We are also constantly looking to increase our UK-made goods, and even better if it’s made in Oxfordshire.
Welcome to Daily Info’s 2023 Advent Calendar – 24 days of festive tips, free activities & local shopping suggestions!
This year's calendar offers a mix of Christmas suggestions, taking in traditions in Oxford and the wider area, and free activities & events in the build up to the big day.
