I Love North Shields has unveiled the latest additions to its popular Tote Bag Challenge, announcing four brand-new limited-edition designs, each sponsored by a local business or creative partner.
The Tote Bag Challenge — which invites people to take their I Love North Shields tote on adventures near and far — has become a colourful, community-driven celebration of local pride. Every tote tells a story, and the newest line-up showcases four very different sides of North Shields life: music, community, culture, and pure joy.
💜 Tune Army Records – The Purple Tote
A love letter to the town’s independent music scene.
Based in The Haswell Building on Bedford Street, Tune Army Records is a vinyl haven run by Shirley and Dylan, dedicated to keeping the spirit of record collecting alive.
📸 @tune.army.records_northshields
💛 R Place – The Yellow Tote
Bright, warm, and welcoming — just like its sponsor.
R Place, the inclusive coffee and donut shop at 11 Nile Street, has fast become a community favourite. A space where everyone’s welcome and good vibes are guaranteed.
📸 @itsrplace
🖤 The Exchange 1856 – The Black Tote
Where heritage meets creativity.
The Exchange 1856, based on Howard Street, is a cultural landmark and creative hub for music, theatre, and art in North Shields. Its tote celebrates the town’s artistic heartbeat.
🌐 theexchange1856.com
📸 @theexchange1856
😊 Mr. Smiley Man – The Smile Tote
The wildcard of the collection.
He’s not a business — he’s a vibe. The Smile Tote features a natural canvas base with neon pink lettering, spreading positivity and reminding everyone to smile a little more.
Each tote is a limited-edition piece of local pride — designed to celebrate the people and places that make North Shields unique. Every purchase helps support I Love North Shields’ ongoing community work, from storytelling and heritage projects to creative events and local collaborations.
🗺️ Join the Tote Bag Challenge:
Take your tote on your travels, snap a photo, and tag @ilovenorthshields to be featured on the official Tote Map.
👉 View the Map
🛍️ Shop the full collection:
👉 www.ilovenorthshields.com/shop
