Unchained is a website founded by Lea Simpson and Dave Birss, where you’ll find the best independent shops in London and New York. All unchained shops are unique, one-offs.

None of them are multinational chains, they’re owned and run by real people with a passion for what they sell. Have a look to find anything from the little hidden gems to first-of-a-kind, world-famous boutiques. If you find and discover your own unchained gem nominate it for the website listing!

It all started in 2005 when Dave and Lea, two of the three founding partners in Unchained, moved to an area of London they didn’t know well. One of the first things they did was search for a local butcher, greengrocer and neighbourhood shop. And used the internet for that, but found nothing.

It didn’t talk long before they realised that running a guide was only a small part of what they could achieve - they also wanted to work with these shops, to help level the playing field between them and the big chainstores they struggle to compete with.

Then they started to see that other cities needed guides too and launched our Unchained Guide to New York a few months later (other cities are coming soon, so watch this space).