Keeping It Local: The Story Behind Our Stay Salty Merch
- News
If you’ve seen the Stay Salty campaign appearing across Plymouth, you’ll know it’s not about perfection. It’s about real people, real places, and the everyday connections that tie this city to the sea around it.
So when it came to creating the campaign merchandise, there was one thing we were clear on from the outset: we weren’t going to order a batch of off-the-shelf promotional products and call it a day. That simply wasn’t going to reflect what Stay Salty stands for.
We wanted to create something people would genuinely want to wear – something that felt rooted in Plymouth, had longevity, and, importantly, backed up the values of the campaign itself.
Keeping It in the City
From the beginning, it was important to us that the work stayed local. Stay Salty is a campaign about Plymouth – about pride in place, community, and showing up for where you live – so it made sense that the people behind the merchandise were part of that same story.
That’s where Creative Stitches comes in.
Founded and run by Heidi, Creative Stitches is a Plymouth-based start-up that has been quietly building a strong reputation for high-quality, custom-made merchandise. Working with individuals, businesses and organisations across the city, Heidi has grown the business steadily, with a clear focus on quality and care in what she produces.
We’ve been following that journey since the early days – watching the business evolve, the work gain momentum, and the projects get bigger and bolder. So when the opportunity came to collaborate, it felt like a natural fit.
More Than Just Merch
This wasn’t simply about printing a logo onto a t-shirt. We wanted to create a range that felt considered and wearable—pieces that people would come back to again and again, rather than something worn once and forgotten.
In a world already saturated with fast and disposable fashion, that felt like an important place to start.
Working with Heidi allowed us to take a more thoughtful approach. The aim was to produce merchandise that reflects the Stay Salty attitude: simple, authentic, and grounded in Plymouth.
At the same time, Creative Stitches works with suppliers who prioritise organic materials and more responsible production methods. While no process is perfect, choosing to work in this way felt like a positive step towards doing things more responsibly and with intent.
Backing Local Talent
Beyond the products themselves, working with a local start-up has a wider impact. It means supporting a Plymouth business, keeping investment within the city, and backing someone who is building something here from the ground up.
That aligns closely with what Stay Salty is all about – community, connection, and local pride.
The result is merchandise that feels like more than just a giveaway. It’s something people can wear as part of their everyday lives – a subtle marker of belonging and connection to Plymouth and its waterfront.
You’ll start to see it out and about, worn across the city in the places where Plymouth naturally comes to life.
Watch This Space…
For now, the first pieces of Stay Salty merchandise are being shared with our Salty Ambassadors as part of their content creator kit bags, as they begin to bring the campaign to life in their own way.
But if you’re keen to get your hands on some, you’re in luck.
We’ll be giving away Stay Salty merch across the summer at our Ranger events and Meet the Marine Park sessions – so keep an eye out and come and get involved while the first batch lasts.
And if you’re not quick enough to get your hands on it…
You will find Stay Salty popping up in a shop near you very soon.
Find out more about Creative Stitches by Heidi on her social media.