About us
Debbie Bryan crowned TripAdvisor’s number one shopping destination in Nottingham, six years running.
Origins
Here at Debbie Bryan, we’ve curated spaces to enable the freedom of creativity at our Nottingham City Centre and Ruddington Village galleries, creative spaces and tea room.
We’re proud to be a destination where creativity meets individuality. Our galleries showcase hand-crafted collections, while our tea rooms serve up lovingly prepared, own-recipe menus. Our team is passionate about organising and hosting memorable experiences, whether it's a creative workshop or a relaxed afternoon tea.
“Fantastic gem of a place, wonderful team of people who helped us to make the most of this creative opportunity. Thank you so much, great fun and most informative!”
Steve Robson ,5* TripAdvisor review
Debbie Bryan began her venture in 2007, after graduating from The School of Art & Design at Nottingham Trent University with a Masters in Fashion & Textiles and a Degree in Textile Design. Setting up home in Nottingham, Debbie first expanded her design studio in 2009, opening our St. Mary’s Gate gallery doors to the public. Come 2020, we open our second gallery in the museum village of Ruddington. Since Debbie showcased her textile collections at The Past Present Future Exhibition at the Ruddington’s Framework Knitters Museum over 16 years ago, a steep history and love of Ruddington felt like a perfect second home.
After 15 wonderful years in the Lace Market, we relocated to St. Peter’s Gate in 2024, bringing our unique blend of artistry and hospitality to a new chapter in the heart of the city.
Our galleries thoughtfully curate fashion, lighting, art, glass, ceramics and jewellery designed and made by nationwide and international designers. Specialising in handcrafted textiles, jewellery and original prints made in our own design studio, we also sell selected Nottingham Lace gifts; historic papers, framed fabrics and haberdashery trims. Debbie Bryan also houses an impressive Nottingham Lace Heritage Archive.
“A great introduction to cyanotype printing, using lace to create intricate designs. Debbie's tuition was first class, and what better way to wait for our prints than to enjoy afternoon tea in the glorious autumn sunshine.”
Glyn, 5* TripAdvisor review
At Debbie Bryan, we are known for our individuality and creativity, the team is dedicated to sharing their ideas and knowledge via our tutored classes. We have expertise and have a love of textiles, floristry paper craft and print, which led to the creation of our more recently established Crafternoons; pre-book your curated creativity or pop in for a spontaneous make with cake and for more special occasions we recommend partnering with cocktails and our famous Afternoon Tea.
“This was my second visit - the first having been so positive I decided to book this for a hen event. Absolutely brilliant - staff incredibly helpful from start to finish, great atmosphere, lovely craft activity with plenty of resources and ideas to get great results that were all very different and personal.”
Maggie, 5* TripAdvisor review
Come 2014, the now much-loved tea room, was firstly introduced at our Lace Market venue. From quintessentially English tea and freshly baked cakes, to wonderful lunches and our successful Afternoon Tea menu – which has fast become a staple of anyone visit the Lace Market. You can read all about our own recipes, best loved suppliers and our popular Supperclub origins here. Plus, read our venues details and find out how we can accommodate your celebratory or business needs.
Team Debbie Bryan
Alongside Debbie, Katie manages online communication, customer experiences and is in charge of the cocktail menu. In 2020, Katie completed a four-year management degree apprenticeship at Nottingham Business School. Debbie and Katie work collectively with Nottingham College Art & Design graduate, Hannah, who develops ideas for paper craft, illustration and printmaking. To top it off, her superb baking skills have gained us many of our five-star tea room reviews, most of which can be found on TripAdvisor, Google and Facebook.
“The staff were extremely helpful, friendly and always on hand if we needed anything.”
Claire, 5* TripAdvisor Review
Emilia, Georgia and Luke make up the energetic and enthusiastic weekend team, supporting customer service and creative development.
With a long-standing relationship with the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and University of Lincoln we have supported numerous students’ professional development via our internship program. Daria made up our most recent intern alumni from University of Lincoln and was an asset to the team during the summer of 2024. We wish her the best of luck for her final year of study.
“We had great fun. It stimulated some interesting chat, and we all enjoyed the brownies and the whole vibe. Only one of the team turned up with a firm plan about what they were going to paint, however for the rest of us there was plenty of inspiration and guidance available so we could all get down to being creative without anxiety.”
Susie, 5* TripAdvisor Review
Design studio
Debbie Bryan established her studio shortly after graduating in 2005, initially focusing on designing and crafting knitted scarves, corsage brooches, and intricate hand-cast resin pieces, which were sold to leading galleries and stores.
By 2009, the studio had expanded to specialize in both British and international craftsmanship, with Debbie’s original collections showcased alongside the work of other talented designers.
Today, our gallery offers a curated selection of ceramics, glassware, jewelry, prints, books, clothing, lighting, homeware, and Nottingham Lace. In-house, we create innovative textiles, detailed jewelry, and unique print designs, producing distinctive collections for both wear and home.
Heritage archive
Having lived and studied in Nottingham, Debbie fell head over heels for the stories of regions rich textile heritage, that started with securing student sponsorship from royal lace knit manufacturer GH Hurts & Sons est. 1912 who supported Debbie with yarn and mentoring for Textile Degree and Masters.
On establishing her first jewellery collection in 2006, Debbie experimented with casting Nottingham made knit and lace fabrics cast within her own resin jewellery collections.
The opportunity to meet Nick Povey, owner of Fewkes Lace Embroidery Company, and visit Nottingham’s last lace manufacturer, was a catalyst for the creation of the Debbie Bryan Heritage Archive Collection in 2010. A collection of Nottingham Lace technical illustrations, Jacquard punch cards, antique Nottingham lace trims and motifs, alongside fabric, Lace embroidery hoops, and table cloths from Cluny Lace were added, each purchasable in our Nottingham City Centre gallery.
Original pieces for Nottingham industrial lace heritage are also now housed in-store, repurposed as unique display props for the gallery and tearoom. You can spot technician’s tables, lace winders, stools and chairs. You can read more about our Nottingham Lace Archive and local heritage here.
“Based on our Nottingham heritage, this is a shopping experience not to be missed.”
Eddy, 5* TripAdvisor Review
“If you like independent shops, good service, interesting gift ideas and a look into the lace heritage of Nottingham, the this should be an essential shop on your visit to Nottingham.”
C Ducklin, 5* TripAdvisor Review