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LEADING craft supplies company, Crafter’s Companion, has unveiled its plans to open its second retail outlet in the UK hot off the heels of its flagship store launch earlier this year.
The new store is set to open in Chesterfield as part of the Dobbies Garden Centre Shopping Village in September. The move follows the opening of the company’s first ever store in Newton Aycliffe in May and represents a further £250K investment into its retail operations.
Working in partnership with Dobbies, the outlet is expected to create 14 new jobs, bringing the total number of jobs created as part of the company’s retail expansion to over 50 so far in 2016.
Crafter’s Companion, which was founded in 2005 by County-Durham-born entrepreneur Sara Davies MBE is now a national and global success. The business manufactures and sells craft tools and products via its website, on TV shopping channels, through independent retailers and through in its own retail stores.
Sara said: “The launch of our first store has been incredible and has gone down very well with customers from across the UK. When the chance to collaborate with Dobbies arose, it was an opportunity too good to turn down given the strength of the brand and its loyal customer base.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Dobbies on this project and hope that it’s the start of a great relationship. The company’s established retail presence and customer demographics fit perfectly with our own, making Chesterfield the perfect location for us.
“As with our flagship store in Newton Aycliffe, we will be creating a destination at the heart of the community, where people can come to learn about craft, get involved with the brand and be inspired to get crafting. We’re really looking forward to seeing the store take shape.”
The new store will join several other brands such as Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Holland and Barrett, Lakeland, Pets at Home and Cotton Traders, as well as an extensive garden centre, farm shop food hall and a restaurant.
The company’s stores, which focus on education, enjoyment and inspiration, offer visitors the chance the explore themed shopping areas covering papercraft, arts, sewing, home décor and haberdashery and take part in workshops in dedicated demonstration areas.
The outlets are designed to give both craft enthusiasts and people who are trying the hobby for the first time the opportunity to learn about craft and get to know the brand.
For more information about the Crafter’s Companion, please visit http://www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/.