Discover a charming and vibrant atmosphere on Union Street

Union Street in Newton Abbot is a charming and vibrant part of the town’s shopping area, reflecting its rich market-town heritage. Tucked just off the main high street, it offers a welcoming mix of independent shops and small businesses. The street has a friendly, community-focused atmosphere, where visitors can enjoy more personal service and discover unique items. Its close connection to the town centre makes it both convenient and appealing. Overall, Union Street stands out as a lively and positive space that supports local enterprise while adding character and variety to Newton Abbot’s retail scene.

Tucked away at the top of Union Street, The Cwtch Hub is so much more than a community café.

For us, it has always been about asking a simple question: what kind of town do we want Newton Abbot to be? A town where people keep their heads down and get on with their own lives or a town where people actually know each other, back each other and build things together rather than tearing others down.

We know which one we want.

That is why The Cwtch Hub has never just been about coffee and cake. It is about spreading kindness. It is about giving people somewhere to belong. It is about making things actually happen.

Along with other amazing businesses we’ve formed the Union Street Traders Association and will be pushing forward the Union Street revival plans that we first announced last year.

Not ones to sit around, we will shortly be opening a second building on Union Street. The new space will help us build even more for the community, with room for the Repair Café that launches on May 30 giving people the chance to fix, mend and learn instead of simply chucking things away. A podcast studio documenting local lives and stories, lots more youth opportunities and OpCwtch, the armed forces hub for veterans, serving personnel and their families across Teignbridge & Torbay.

We’re really proud that after the success of last year, The Newton Abbot Business and Community Awards are now in their 2nd year and will be held on September 11 at Newton Abbot Rugby Club. There are so many people and businesses in this town doing brilliant work and they deserve to be seen.

The Sunday Markets have gone from strength to strength and are now the 1st and 3rd weekends of the month, helping bring more life back into the town centre and creating space for local traders, charities & community groups. May 24 sees the brand new Food Festival take place. Something positive, lively and full of local flavour and if successful will see a second one take place on August 30.

If you’ve taken a detour up Union Street, Newton Abbot recently, you may have spotted a burst of colour that’s hard to miss. Keepsy Box, the town’s boldest and arguably most purple gift shop, is quickly becoming one of the town’s most talked about independent spaces.

Having opened in December 2025 by a mother-and-son team with over 20 years of retail experience in the town, Keepsy Box offers something refreshingly outside of the box. Step inside and you’ll discover what many customers are calling “an all-year-round craft fair”; a vibrant, ever-changing collection of handmade gifts, art and curiosities, all created by over 100 South West-based makers.

Keepsy Box is built on the idea that creativity should be accessible, celebrated, and shared. Every item under its roof is handmade or designed by independent creators, from established craft businesses to passionate hobbyists. The result is a shopping experience packed full of personality, where no two visits are the same.

Unlike traditional “rent-a-shelf” spaces, Keepsy Box works closely with its makers, offering flexible, affordable opportunities without long tie-ins, and providing daily sales updates. It’s a model designed to support creativity, not restrict it – and it’s already supporting new talent to find its audience. That commitment also extends to the next generation, too. Through its Young Artists Enterprise initiative, Keepsy Box offers free shelf space to local creatives aged 14–18, giving them a real platform to sell their work and build confidence in the retail environment. Sustainability is also at the heart of the business, from thoughtfully sourced materials in a wide range of makers’ products, to the team’s own original “Keepsy Boxes” – intricate framed scenes made using pre-loved vintage and collectible toys.

Whether you’re searching for a one-of-a-kind gift, a treat for yourself, or simply a dose of inspiration, Keepsy Boxinvites you to explore the quirky, the fun and the unforgettable – including one or two treasures sure to make you smile. You’ll find them at 5 Union Street, just off the high street – and if you’re a maker with something unique to share, they’d love to hear from you. www.keepsybox.co.uk