Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 9
Crafter’ s Companion store to open on Bank Holiday weekend
Fast-growing craft business Crafter’ s Companion is set to open a retail outlet within the old Holiways site on Horndale Avenue, Newton Aycliffe at the end of May. The 7000sq ft store, which will be the first of its kind in the UK, will include themed shopping sections covering papercraft, arts, sewing, home décor and haberdashery.
The craft market is a very tactile industry with a real sense of community, so Crafter’ s Companion will be focusing on education, inspiration and enjoyment within the store. This will allow crafters a central place to come, meet up with like-minded enthusiasts, learn new skills and browse through all the latest products. There will be a coffee shop within the store, two dedicated demonstration areas and a central hub for workshops and group sessions.
Local craft groups and clubs will be able to use the store’ s facilities to meet up and there will also be a regular workshop and demonstration program, ensuring a constant hive of activity and a way for newcomers and seasoned crafters alike to pick up new hints, tips and techniques.
Extended opening hours( the store will be opening until 7pm Monday to Saturday and 4pm on Sundays) means that craft enthusiasts working during the day will be able to still come along and get involved in classes and demos after work. And you don’ t need to be a seasoned pro to get involved in the various activities available- there will be a variety of skill levels catered for. So whether you’ ve been crafting for years or have just thought about starting a new craft-based hobby, there will be something perfect for you within the program.
Sara Davies, founder and sales director at Crafter’ s Companion, said:“ We are delighted to be opening our flagship store in Newton Aycliffe and are looking forward to our new venture.
“ The new centre is intended to be a destination outlet, where people can come and enjoy a day out, take a class, learn about various crafts, visit the café and get involved with the demos.
“ The idea behind the concept is to give Crafter’ s Companion a physical presence and give our customers the chance to interact with our brand, staff and products and experience what we’ re all about.
“ Along with engaging with avid crafters and craft groups from across the UK, we’ re also hoping that it will attract people outside the crafting community to get involved in craft.
“ As well as appealing to craft consumers we will also be using the store to help us better understand the market from a‘ bricks and mortar’ retailer’ s point of view. To do this we will be creating a‘ Retail Centre for Excellence’ intended to support our retailers from across the UK with training and consumer insight based on our findings.”
The opening of the Newton Aycliffe-based store over the bank holiday weekend will be action-packed with Crafter’ s Companion’ s very own team of TV demonstrators giving tutorials in both papercrafts and sewing techniques to visitors as well as areas where people can get hands on in‘ Make and Take’ sessions- a perfect opportunity for an absolute beginner to learn a new hobby.
“ it will be a great day out for the whole family.“
Star Radio will also be attending the opening on Saturday 28th between 10am and 2pm, giving live broadcasts, playing music and joining in with the festivities. There will be refreshments available and lots of staff on-hand to help make the day as enjoyable as possible for everyone and ensuring that it will be a great day out for the whole family. So come along and see what it’ s all about!
Store contact details: Crafter ' s Companion, Unit 2, Horndale Avenue, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 6DR 01388 743763 aycliffestore @ crafterscompanion. co. uk www. crafterscompanion. co. uk / newtonaycliffe