OUR STORY
A MOTHER & DAUGHTER DUO
Jane and Harry have been connected to Alnmouth for over 18 years, with this in mind, the creative duo decided to open an independent lifestyle store that celebrates local makers and creators, giving them a retail platform in which they can expand and sell their products.
Always full of lovingly hand-selected designs, unique and inspiring, whether you are looking for something for your home, yourself or someone else, many of which are inspired by the idillic Northumberland seascapes and countryside.
MEET THE OWNERS
JANE
My Story
I'm Jane, and after spending my career as a nurse and midwife, I've always been fascinated by the power of aromatherapy and essential oils and the way they can help us slow down, unwind and feel a little more like ourselves.
During the pandemic, I started making candles from my kitchen in Alnmouth. At first, they were simply gifts for family and friends, but the lovely feedback kept coming. People would tell me how beautifully they burned, how long they lasted and how the natural scents filled their homes without ever feeling overpowering.
That's when I realised this little hobby might become something more.
Today, every Plain Jane candle is still handmade by me using certified organic soy wax and pure essential oils. I don't use synthetic fragrances, just carefully chosen essential oils that smell beautiful while bringing their own wellbeing benefits too.
For me, a candle has never just been about making a room smell nice. It's about creating a moment to pause, whether that's with a cup of tea after a long day, a quiet bath, a good book or simply five minutes to yourself.
I hope my candles bring a little bit of that calm into your home too.
HARRIETT
My Story
I'm Harriett, and after graduating from Leeds College of Art with a First-Class Honours degree, I packed up and moved to London, where I started Just Harry from a tiny shared flat.
I've always believed fashion should be made to last, not rushed. My process is slow, thoughtful and completely hands-on, which isn't always the easiest way to build a business, especially in a city as expensive as London. Before long, I realised I was spending more time trying to afford living there than I was growing the business I loved.
So I made the decision to move back home to Alnmouth and give Just Harry the time, space and attention it deserved.
Seven years on, Just Harry is still built around the same idea: giving preloved denim a second life. I carefully source old jeans and transform them into one-of-a-kind jackets and accessories. Every piece is handmade, and because of that, no two are ever the same.
One of the biggest pinch-me moments came when Just Harry was featured in Selfridges London as part of a collaboration with DEPOP. Seeing a brand that started in a shared London flat end up on the shop floor of Selfridges was something I'd never imagined.
For me, Just Harry has never been about chasing trends. It's about creating timeless pieces with a story behind them. Clothes that are made slowly, worn often, and loved for years to come.
And if you've made it this far... here's how our two creative journeys became one.
Believe it or not, Jane & Harry was actually Mum's idea.
She'd always dreamed of owning a little gift shop, but after a lifetime of nursing, medical repping and running a pub, retirement was on the horizon and she wasn't sure she wanted the full commitment of running one by herself.
At the same time, both of us were at a bit of a crossroads. Plain Jane was just getting started, and Just Harry had outgrown the market stall. I'd spent years travelling up and down the country to markets, loading and unloading the van in every kind of weather. I loved meeting people, but it was exhausting, and I'd started to wonder whether it was time to put down some roots.
The best part of those markets was never just selling my own work. It was getting to know so many incredibly talented independent makers and local artists. Time and time again, I'd hear the same thing: "I just wish there were more places to showcase my work."
That's when it all clicked.
What if we didn't just create a home for our own businesses? What if we created one for lots of small businesses?
So, in April 2021, as the country was slowly emerging from lockdown, we took a leap of faith and opened the very first Jane & Harry. A tiny little shop in Alnmouth, tucked away behind the Red Lion pub, filled with handmade products, local creativity and the work of independent makers whose stories deserved to be told.
The early days certainly weren't glamorous. I was juggling three jobs, running the shop during the day, making and growing Just Harry whenever I could, and then spending my evenings making pizzas and working behind a bar just to make ends meet.
It wasn't quite the dream I'd imagined... but I believed in it enough to keep going.
Looking back now, every late night, every market, every pizza shift and every risk was worth it. Jane & Harry has become so much more than a shop. It's a place where small businesses can grow, where creativity is celebrated, and where people can discover something with a story behind it.
And that's exactly what we hoped it would be.
We’re still a small independent shop in our little coastal village of Alnmouth, and we hope we always keep that feeling.
Everything you’ll find inside has been chosen because we genuinely love it, whether it’s something we’ve made ourselves, something created just down the road, or something from another small business we’ve fallen in love with along the way.
So whether you’re looking for a gift, a little reminder of your time in Northumberland, or you’re just having a nosey, pop in and say hello. We’re always happy to see you, and there’s usually a good story behind whatever you pick up.
OUR VALUES
At the heart of Jane & Harry is a love of beautiful things, thoughtful design and the people behind them. We believe shopping should feel personal, welcoming and never overwhelming. That’s why we carefully choose pieces that bring a little joy to the everyday, while supporting independent makers, artists and small businesses wherever we can.
More than anything, we want Jane & Harry to feel like somewhere you belong, whether you’re popping in for a gift, treating yourself or simply coming in for a chat.
WHY SHOP AT JANE & HARRY'S
When you shop with Jane & Harry, you’re supporting more than just our little shop. You’re helping us champion independent makers, local artists and beautifully considered brands. Everything we choose has a story, and we hope you’ll always find something that feels a little different, thoughtful and completely you.