The future of Craft Central

[Tommy67]

At the new owners of Craft Central Ltd. I would firstly like to offer my sympathy to all staff for what they have gone through in the previous few months. On the 14th of January we acquired of the trading name and stock from the administrators, I would like to thank both ‘Susic’ and ‘Cake n craft’ for their assistance in this matter. Despite several rumors on this and other forums, I can clearlt state that there is no any connection between the new owners of Craft Central Ltd and the previous owners. We have acquired the company with the intention of relaunching Craft Central, locations of the shops will be very much dependent on the willingness of the garden centers to operate shops on a franchise basis, and number have already expressed an interest in doing so (and hopefully re-employee craft central staff). A select few of the shops will be reopened and operated by ourselves. We would ask all customers and staff to be patient with us a little bit longer, as I'm am sure you all will appreciate, it will take a little bit of time to unravel the mess left. The philosophy of the new company will be one that listens closely to its staff and customers I would therefore appreciate any suggestions you may have regarding the future development of Craft Central.

[jacs]

I don't know about anyone else but if Craft Central has been taken over by someone completely different I would love to be part of the relaunch and get my job back ,a job that I loved doing and possibly re establishing contact with all the lovely customers that supported us to the bitter end a few of which are still supporting me now through these far from ideal times.

[paper crafter]

That`s a bit of good news for a change. Good luck with it & I hope to visit one of your stores soon. Any idea which garden centres you`ll be in?

[Fairy Monk]

Well, here's hoping........

[Bod]

Good luck. There are a lot of crafters out here who can't wait to support local craft shops should we get them back. I hope you will look to locations that were closed in the months leading up to the end of the old Craft Central I'm sure that both the staff and the local crafters will be keen to be involved again.

Fingers crossed for a successful relaunch.

[sue_playingwithpaper]

I'll be over the moon if Bristol reopens, nice staff and it's less than 10 mins away so I visited weekly.

I would ask tho that you take a bit more notice of the staffs ideas on stock than Dan did. With no offence intended to docrafts & some of the other brands stocked but I could get them in near on every craft shop going and there was rarely anything interesting at CC. I'd much prefer a bit less "common" stock but a more rapid turnover, if I dont like say a stamp/die today then chances are I'll still not like it in 6 months, let alone 18 months later.

[Bod]

I think one of the biggest problems has been the lack of new stock in the stores. I appreciate that this all costs money but with the crafting industry being so trend driven if craft shops are not getting in the latest releases regularly the regular customers are not going to be there.

Certainly with my local store the staff were not allowed to order stock in then were told they had to up their takings in order to stay open. They were stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea as the little stock they were left with was not enticing customers to buy and the fact that there was no potential for new things coming in there was no incentive to return to the shop again.

It has been clear and you touched on this in your first message that the old owners were obviously not good at listening to their staff, customers or indeed suppliers in some cases and this I feel was their downfall. In these financially tight times people are looking to more cost effective pastimes and craft often comes to the fore in these situations. Either as a cheaper alternative to days and nights out, in the form of make do and mend and even to make a little extra pocket money.

All the best and here's to the successful future of Craft Central.

[charliecraft]

That is brilliant news and I wish you every success, I would definitely use the store if I was certain that the old owners had nothing to do with it. I will keep my fingers crossed that you open again in Altrincham and that the brilliant staff get their jobs back as they were the backbone of the business.

I would hope that you will start stocking docraft products again as these seem very popular.

Well good luck and keep us all informed as to what you are doing.

[sarah84]

I agree totally you will do well as long as certain people arent involved. Certain docraft products was a great seller and new stock in when its actually new.
It was always said that the customers were right and what they wanted was priority. HAHA. That was a joke.
I felt awful for the loyal customers they would always come back and support us even after we closed. Even today so much support. Thank you to you all.
Good luck if you have the staff back you will do well. Good staff and good products.

[CRAFTY PAULINE]

Great news!Fingers crossed Gourock Store will be one of the lucky ones to re-open.As a staff member it was my dream job and we all made so many friends.Customers loved the shop before it went into decline and I know are all desperate for it to reopen.Hopefully we will have a bit of good news and I can assure the new owners we would give 120%!!

[craftylel]

I wish the new owners every success and if they ever decide to re-open in this area it would make a lot of people very happy.

[Tiny Tina]

I would love it if they opened up our old store or if they didnt open that one maybe one in West Sussex again as i would love to go back to that job as i really enjoyed going to a job i loved

Tina

[larryal]

I wish the new owners all the very best, you have a very loyal customer and staff base available to you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a call

[susic]

Thankyou Tommy67 for the thankyou all i did was pass on the information, I started work today as our garden centre has taken us over now and we open on Monday.

Good luck in your venture and get these more than willing ladies back into their dream jobs.

Certain x boss has really stripped the girls of all their confidence and in getting their jobs back they will get it back

[bryanandliz@supanet.com]

do you know if Kingsley or Havant are re-opening ?