Our Story
Supporting independent North East businesses since 2020.
Where it all began
From local markets to nationwide gifting.
Coastal Hampers was founded in 2020 with a simple mission: support the incredible independent businesses we have here in the North East.
What started with a handful of local producers and a few hampers sold at local markets and events has grown into a business delivering thousands of gifts across the UK. Despite that growth, our mission remains exactly the same - championing local businesses and showcasing the very best our region has to offer.
The Journey
Explore the milestones that have shaped Coastal Hampers since 2020.
Founded
November 2020
In 2020, our founder Sam Black was working as a supply teacher in the North East when the COVID-19 pandemic caused teaching opportunities to disappear almost overnight. As local businesses faced their own challenges during lockdown, Sam saw an opportunity to support the region’s independent producers whilst building something of his own.
The idea was simple: create a Christmas hamper filled exclusively with products from local North East businesses. Soon after, his bedroom became a makeshift stockroom and the idea began to take shape.
After searching for the perfect name, Coastal Hampers felt like a natural fit, inspired by the beautiful coastline that so many of the region's independent businesses call home.
Developing
December 2020
Sam advertises his hampers on Facebook and the initial response is fantastic. Within 3 weeks he gets 300 orders, just before his delivery van (aka his Ford Fiesta) breaks down. Fortunately, his Mum came to the rescue and lent him her Fiat 500 to fulfil all of the deliveries around the North East.
Following an incredibly successful first Christmas, Sam realised Coastal Hampers had the potential to become much more than a side project. Taking a leap of faith, he left his teaching career behind to focus on the business full-time.
With demand continuing to grow, he secured its first dedicated premises and began building the foundations for what would become one of the North East's leading hamper companies. What started as a bedroom-based business was now becoming something much bigger.
Establishing
2021
A major milestone arrived when we secured our first large-scale NHS project, delivering 11,500 gift hampers for staff at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, just 11 months after the business was founded.
The project marked a huge step forward, hiring our own staff for the first time and working at scale. This period demonstrated our ability to successfully manage large-scale gifting programmes whilst continuing to champion independent North East producers.
Growing
2022
Following the success of the previous year's project, Coastal Hampers partnered with North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust to deliver more than 1,200 gift hampers for staff. By this point, the business had firmly established itself as a trusted gifting partner for organisations looking to recognise and reward their teams with meaningful, locally sourced gifts.
Diversifying
2023
As we continued to grow, the business began working with a wider range of organisations across the region, including Newcastle United Football Club. What started as a small lockdown idea was now supplying gifts to some of the North East's most recognised organisations whilst continuing to support independent local businesses.
Scaling
2024
One of the largest projects in the company's history saw us deliver 8,000 personalised gift boxes directly to employees of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust across the UK. The nationwide project showcased the company's large-scale fulfilment capabilities, attention to detail and ability to manage complex corporate gifting programmes from concept through to delivery.
Stability
2025
Building on years of growth, Coastal Hampers continued to work with leading organisations across the UK, including Sunderland AFC and a growing portfolio of corporate clients. With thousands of gifts delivered each year and partnerships with more than 80 independent producers, the business remains committed to its original mission of supporting local businesses whilst creating memorable gifting experiences at every scale.
Investing in the future
2026
After several years of rapid growth, 2026 marked a year of investment in the future of Coastal Hampers. A completely refreshed hamper range was introduced, alongside new luxury packaging, professional photography and a redesigned website, all aimed at creating an even more premium gifting experience. Whilst continuing to support independent North East producers, the focus shifted towards strengthening the brand, improving presentation and building the foundations for the next stage of growth.
Where We Are Today
What started as a small lockdown idea in a spare bedroom has grown into one of the North East’s leading independent gifting companies.
Today, we work with more than 60 independent producers and deliver gifts to customers, businesses and organisations across the UK. From birthday gifts and thank you hampers to large-scale corporate projects involving thousands of recipients, our mission remains exactly the same as it was in 2020: supporting local businesses and showcasing the very best of the North East.
By The Numbers
“What started as a small lockdown idea has grown into something far bigger than I ever imagined. Thank you for supporting Coastal Hampers and the fantastic independent businesses that make everything we do possible.”
Sam Black
Founder, Coastal Hampers