FAIR OAK CLOSES THIS SUNDAY 21st DECEMBER 2008

[fairoaky]

I said I wouldnt write on this site about the store closures, but I have changed my mind over the last week.
First I have to say how I have loved working at Fair Oak with my friends, our shop is a beautiful thatched barn, which is freezing in winter, with spiders, a bad electricity supply, and a resident spook we called "Dobin". I have made good friends with many of our customers, and would like to thank them for all the little tips and ideas they shared.
This week after receiving the faxes about the situation, we had the last one on Tuesday. I think this one had not been finished, I couldnt see the part thanking the staff for all their efforts, and to wish them all the best for the future.
I do realise that this is a very stressful time, but staff helped build Craft Central, and we all go down too, so a few words would go along way and bring mutual respect. Just sad it didnt flow naturally from the keyboard.
I still look forward to having a happy christmas with my family and hope you all have a good one too.

[larry]

I'm so sorry, knowing you are not alone hardly helps at all, as the staff of wollworths know, but you are amongst friends and we are all thinking of each other. Its the lack of concideration being shown to us that realy hurts, thank you and sorry are only small words but they mean a lot.

It sounds an idillic place to have worked(except for the spiders) sorry I never visited.
All the best for 2009
God Bless
Larry(Blackpool)

[andrea]

Funny isnt it how just a simple thank you for all your hard work and we are sorry its come to this would go some way to ease the pain of losing your jobs. Well i would like to say thank you to all of you at Fair Oak for working hard and for being thoroughly nice ladies. I looked after you for a while with graham and it was a pleasure. As you know i was made redundant in the summer and i never heard a peep from either Dan or Pat not even a thank you or a sorry either.
Having said all that, the friends you have made with both ur colleagues and your customers cant be taken away from you and these you will treasure along with the eventual realisation that there is indeed life after craft central and a lot of happiness to be had with new jobs where u dont get shouted at or belittled at every opportunity.

So heres to 2009, may you all be happy, properous and joyful

Merry Christmass xxxxxxxxx

Andrea

[Christine 1]

I have just found out from a friend of mine that some of the stores are closing & i am sad like a lot of you on here.

As for Fair Oak - that is one of my nearest places i can get to. I wasn't going to go up there before Christmas but i think i will this weekend before they close. It is a shame as it was ideal for when my parents wanted to go out for a Sunday afternoon drive (when i wasn't working - which was at least once a month) and we used to pop in there on route home.

Wonder about the other 2 i can get to - Havant & Bordon, will have to check them out this weekend as well & will keep you posted

Not nice @ this time of year with so many shops closing is it? I feel sorry for the staff and hope they find work soon

Christine x

[craftmad]

I was a staff member at the Ramsgate store for four years and decided to leave in July because of how staff were disregarded by the owners because no matter how the staff tried to make a go of the shop it was never enough, I did enjoy all the lovely customers and the great ladies i worked with who have become close friends, i wish all the ex staff of craft central a better future hope you all find new jobs soon Lorraine W X

[Tiny Tina]

Jan and Maz send me your email address over the weekend so we can keep in touch as ive got Sheila from Kingsleys already

Tina xx

[Scotbabe1948]

To Jan and Maz,

So sorry to hear the shops closed, will miss visiting you both when I 'm in the area, won't be the same now, Chris and I wish you both every success in wherever you find a new job, will keep in touch, thanks for your friendship, take care

Janet from Scotland

in Memory of Aileen

[Mad Linda]

Totally Gob smacked. My one and only favorite Craft Shop closed without WARNING. NOT GIVEN THE CHANCE TO STOCK UP ON CRAFT MATERIALS. The girls that worked there were a fantastic crew who helped you no matter what stress they were under. they will be sorely missed. WHAT A WAY TO TREAT LOYAL STAFF. I KNOW TIMES ARE HARD BUT THEY COULD HAVE GIVEN THEM LONGER THAN FOUR DAY'S NOTICE.

]ANY WAY YOU CRAFTERS GOOD NEW'S ' MAZ' WHO WAS AT THE FAIROAK STORE.
HAS OPENED HER OWN CRAFT SHOP
THE ADDRESS IS 161 FAIROAK ROAD, BISHOPSTOKE SO50 8LQ.

I HOPE YOU WILL ALL JOIN ME AND VISIT HER FOR YOU'R CRAFT MATERIALS AND SUPPORT HER IN HER NEW SHOP

Linda