Inside Seven Dials’ Most Characterful Vintage Shop…

Tucked into Seven Dials, Salvage & Sawdust has become one of Brighton’s most characterful vintage shops - the kind of place where everything has a story, and where the duo behind the counter is just as much part of the experience as the pieces on the rails.

Founded by Jack Woodward, the shop was born out of a moment of reckoning. After years in a job he wasn’t enjoying and a commute that was draining the life out of him, he realised he wanted something more — something that actually felt like his.

“I wanted to do something that I loved,” Jack tells us. “I'd had shops and brands before and had fond memories of my time working for myself”

What he didn’t know then was that a twist of fate — and a Saturday coffee — would land him in the perfect spot.

How it started

Jack didn’t set out to build a vintage business. Salvage & Sawdust took shape when he admitted to himself that something needed to change.

“I found myself in a job that I wasn't enjoying, the commute was killing me and I got to a point in life where I wanted more for myself, I wanted to do something that I loved and something that was rewarded.”

Before that job, he’d spent years in Camden running shops and market stalls.

“I'd always loved the vintage stores and antique stores and the whole buzz of an inner city market. I was an avid collector of old things although what I actually sold was modern clothing.”

The eye, the instinct, the appreciation for old things — it was all already there.

From Camden to Brighton

That early love of vintage followed him south when he made the move to Brighton — ready to rebuild his life, open a shop, and leave behind the building job in London that no longer felt right.

Landing in Seven Dials by Pure Chance

The location of Salvage & Sawdust wasn’t planned. In fact, Jack describes it as “an absolute fluke.”

“I rented a flat in Seven Dials and used to come for a coffee every Saturday morning. One day the owner of the coffee shop said he wanted to get rid of his shop, I said I'll have it, we shook hands, job done.”

And just like that, Salvage & Sawdust was born — a shop built on instinct, timing, and a bit of old-fashioned handshake trust.

How Jack Curates the Pieces

In the early days, Jack stocked what he thought other people wanted. But with time came confidence — and a shift.

“Now I just buy stuff I like. I’m not a purist. If I like it, I buy it.”

Everything in Salvage & Sawdust is handpicked. Nothing comes from a bale. There’s no formula — just instinct, experience and an eye for pieces that carry their own quiet stories.

Jack lights up when he talks about being a dealer.

“I'm a dealer, I love having a deal and buying and selling. I get a buzz finding very rare items of course and a buzz again when it sells. I like stuff that's really well worn, faded and repaired and shows all its history.”

A Shop Built on Community

Ask Jack what sets Salvage & Sawdust apart and he doesn’t point to the stock — he talks about the people.

“I genuinely do love doing this and I think it shows, well hopefully. Also, I do kind of think that the friends I've made through my shop and the community of people that have all sort of stuck around makes the place what it is.”

The old-school customer service, the chance conversations, the storytelling behind each find is part of the magic. In a fast-paced retail world, his shop feels personal, grounded and human.

What Comes Next

There’s change on the horizon for Salvage & Sawdust — and it’s an exciting one.

“It’s the start of a whole new chapter,” Jack hints. “Lewis has come on board and we’re moving to a bigger store very soon. Watch this space…”

A new chapter, a bigger space, and the same love of old things — it feels exactly right for a shop that grew from instinct, connection and a handshake.