Fig and Sparrow

This establishment combines a coffee shop and a shop selling independently made gifts, homeware and soaps, as well as artwork created by locally made designers and artists from Islington Mill and beyond. Towards the front of the shop you’ll find an ever-changing stock of artwork and gift items, perfect for something unique for the home or as a present. Head towards the back of the shop and you’ll find a rather rustic looking cafe area, complete with long trestle tables and lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling. The cafe sources its tea and coffee from Ringtons in the North East — a personal favourite of the owners themselves — and all of their food is freshly made from local ingredients. Fig And Sparrow was set out as somewhere to meet friends or to work in, while as a workspace there are plenty of places to plug your laptop in and make use of the free wifi and peaceful surroundings. [Charlotte Davies]