Shoppers have spoken of their sadness after the sudden closure of the Crafter’s Companion store at The Valley, with many expressing sympathy for staff and concern about the future of the site.
The craft retailer, founded by Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies, has shut its Evesham store following the liquidation of the company behind the business. The closure has resulted in the loss of 16 jobs at the Evesham branch, along with 42 roles at the firm’s headquarters in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
A notice displayed on the store’s door states that the landlord took possession of the property on October 19, confirming the unit’s closure.
The news prompted an outpouring of reaction from customers, many of whom said the store and its café would be greatly missed.
Lesley Brockbank said: “Oh no – I loved the cafe and had a sandwich and a cuppa there last week. I feel so sorry for the staff!”
Deborah Cotter added: “Mom and I loved their coffee shop; the food and drinks were lovely. Such a shame wonder how long it’ll remain an empty unit?”
Kate Price said she had suspected difficulties for some time, adding: “I feel the writing on the wall for this has been there for quite a few months. Big reduction in workshops offered, and the stock range was drastically reduced and spread out along the shelves.
“Such a shame for the staff in the store and cafe who were always pleasant and helpful.”
Donna Lewis wrote: “Now I know! So sad! Love that place!”
The Evesham store had become a popular destination for crafting enthusiasts, offering a retail outlet, workshops and a café which attracted customers from across the region.
READ MORE: Sara Davies’ firm issues update after entering liquidation
Sara told The Northern Echo that Crafter’s Companion went into liquidation after talks to merge it with Gemporia, one of its biggest UK customers.
Gemporia’s board decided the businesses could operate under one trading entity, making the existing Crafter’s Companion company redundant.
“Ever since I came back to Crafter’s Companion a year ago, I worked to try and make it a stable entity,” she said.
“Gemporia are our biggest customers in the UK, and we secured a partnership together.
“We wanted Crafter’s Companion and the wider group to merge with Gemporia.
“However, last week, their board found a solution that meant the best way forward was to continue with one trading entity, so they no longer needed the Crafter’s Companion head office.
“Everything happened very, very quickly.”
Sara, who founded the business while studying at university in 2005, said telling its long-serving workers they were losing their jobs was particularly difficult.
She said she wanted to tell staff personally rather than let them hear about the closure elsewhere.
“It was heartbreaking to sit down with the staff at the company and give them the news,” she said.
“There’s a lot of people who had been with us a long time.
“People who had been there from apprenticeships or on work experience, but I’m glad I got to do it face-to-face and tell them that they now had the skills to go on elsewhere and do a great job.”
Despite the liquidation and redundancies, Sara said the Crafter’s Companion brand and website would continue.
She said the liquidation affected the trading company, headquarters and retail operation—not the brand itself.
A spokesperson for The Valley said: “Our first thoughts are with the staff affected and the uncertainty this situation inevitably brings.
“Crafters Companion has been part of The Valley since 2017 and has built a loyal following over the years, particularly within the crafting community, so they will undoubtedly be missed.
“A number of shoppers have already been in touch with us and, like ourselves, their immediate concern has been for the team.
“Many customers had developed genuine friendships with staff through their shared passion for crafting, which reflects the strong community the business created during its time here.”
