Shopping in Looe

Looe is a small Cornish fishing and tourist-friendly town. It thrives (and survives) because of these two main industries.

As such, Looe doesn’t suffer from the same old high street shops that you tend to see in other seaside towns around the UK. Shopping in Looe is an experience because you probably haven’t seen many of the items the shop keepers have on sale here.

Shopping in Looe

Looe boasts a large number of independent traders selling everything from designer sunglasses to telescopes, ropes to water-colours and crab lines to iPod accessories! That’s not to say we don’t have some mainstream stores too, we do. Boots, The Co-Operative, Texaco and all the high street banks have shops etc in town but it’s the smaller retailers who really make shopping in Looe so special.

The main factor that keeps Looe how it is are the narrow road and lanes throughout the town. The inability of large delivery trucks to restock larger mainstream branded shops keeps these retailers away and helps to keep Looe the way it is by providing shoppers with an intimate and friendly atmosphere in which to peruse and explore the town. Most of East Looe is virtually a pedestrian precinct too. There is right of way for traffic but hardly any comes through the busy streets due to their physical nature.

So if you’re coming to Looe for a holiday or day-out, be prepared to have a ‘mooch’ around the shops. Below is a short list of what you’ll find.

HANDY TIP: Many shops sell more than one kind of item i.e. the front of the shop will sell books, the middle art supplies and at the back an amazing array of toys!

  • Health foods
  • Pharmacy
  • Teddy bears
  • Bakeries
  • Fishmongers
  • Charity shops
  • Books
  • Art supplies
  • Cards
  • Cameras and telescopes
  • Phones
  • Menswear
  • Womenswear
  • Antiques
  • Souvenirs
  • Haberdashery
  • Paint-a-pot
  • Beach items – buckets and spades
  • Fishing tackle
  • Fashion
  • Chocolates
  • Ice cream
  • Toys
  • Jokes
  • Fancy dress
  • Yacht chandlery
  • Food and take-a-ways
  • Wood carvings
  • Art galleries
  • Newsagents

Food Stores

Looe offers a range of food outlets from supermarkets and convenience stores to local produce shops offering everything from home grown vegetables to luxury hampers.

With boats coming into Looe harbour daily carrying a variety of fish and supplying local shops, there is always a great choice to be had and it’s always fresh.

And don’t forget, many of Looe’s shops sell a variety of products from gifts to food items, so pop in and have a browse around, you might find just what you’re looking for.

Home Furnishing

Explore Looe’s quiet and quaint streets and you will discover friendly and helpful home furnishing shops packed with exciting and individual items to brighten every home.

You will find everything from tables and chairs, sideboards and bookcases to luxury gifts, teapots and dinner services. All styles and tastes are catered for, from the reserved and traditional to modern and funky.

For those wishing to get away from larger town, high street chain store designs, local entrepreneurs are offering bespoke curtain and upholstery services to bring your designs to life. If you’re just moving in or wanting a change, Looe‘s furnishing stores are the places to start.

Gift Shops

The town of Looe, Cornwall with its cobbled narrow streets, working quayside and busy beaches, is a very popular holiday destination. Many visitor return year after year and take advantage of the quaint gift shops to find that souvenir or gift to remind them of the great time they had.

Wandering the lanes and alleyways, you will find eye catching, appealing gift shops, selling quality, affordable items that would grace any home. Much of the wooden and pottery items are made by local craftspeople and are often purchased by locals for their own houses and gardens.

Paintings are a favourite too, depicting the colourful town of Looe or the rugged coast. Again, many by local artists, visitors are spoilt for choice. Or why not treat yourself to some new kitchen tableware, maybe a clock, some lamps, mirrors, jewellery… the choice is endless.