North Shields Est. 1225 Tote Bag

Our tote bags are made to order, because we think good things are worth waiting for (and making only what’s actually wanted is a bit kinder to the planet).

North Shields is where we came back to our roots. Our grandparents and great-grandparents called the town home, and after growing up along the coast in Whitley Bay, it felt right that we’d come back to Shields to raise our own families. It’s our happy place, our home and, fittingly, where Norsh began - and where it got its name, from the first few letters of NORth SHields.

The official North Shields story goes back to 1225, when fishermen’s huts known as ‘shielings’ were built around the mouth of the Pow Burn to supply nearby Tynemouth Priory with fish. Over time, ‘shielings’ became shortened to ‘shiels’ and eventually ‘shields’ - giving North Shields the name we know today. From those few huts, the town grew into a busy fishing and trading port along the Tyne - despite Newcastle spending a fair few centuries trying to stop it.

Made from sturdy 100% recycled cotton canvas, our North Shields tote bag has plenty of room for all the everyday stuff you somehow end up carrying around. Bottom and side gussets give you extra space, while long reinforced handles make it easy to throw over your shoulder - ideal for a wander along the Fish Quay, a trip to the shops or wherever else the day takes you.

Each tote is finished with a black printed “North Shields Est. 1225” design - a little nod to nearly 800 years of history in the town we call home.

Details

• 100% recycled open-end cotton
• 220gsm midweight canvas – sturdy and made for everyday use
• Dimensions: 37 x 40cm, strap length: 54cm
• 54cm long handles – easy to carry over your shoulder
• Bottom and side gussets – extra room for all your stuff
• Internal pocket – handy for the little things you don't want disappearing to the bottom
• Reinforced cross-stitching on the handles
• Folded hem top edge and single-needle stitching
• Black printed “North Shields Est. 1225” design
• Designed in North Shields, England
• Made to order

Why you’ll love it

It’s a little bit of North Shields you can take with you. For the locals, the ones who’ve moved away, the Fish Quay regulars and anyone who knows there’s nowt quite like being back home by the Tyne. For us, it’s generations of family history printed onto a bag that’ll probably end up carrying your meal deal - and we’re quite happy with that.