Business duo set up shop to support Doncaster creatives and artists who have been struggling to sell their wares due to the pandemic

A group of Doncaster crafters who usually trade on markets have come together to create a space where they can sell their wares and follow social distance guidelines whilst supporting the independent crafters and artists in the community.
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The last six months have been hard for the creative industry.

Due to Covid-19, many independent artists and crafters have lost the ability to trade on markets and the internet has been saturated by hobbyists starting up their own rival businesses.

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After seeing the decline of the industry two Doncaster women decided to do something about it.

Owners Tammy Freer and Marie Wilson both from South Elmsall.Owners Tammy Freer and Marie Wilson both from South Elmsall.
Owners Tammy Freer and Marie Wilson both from South Elmsall.

Crafters Tammy Freer and Marie Wilson both from South Elmsall wanted to find a space where they could feel safe selling their products.

Tammy, who is aged 42 said: “We used to run craft fairs in the Frenchgate Centre but due to Covid-19 we can’t do that anymore.

“We got the opportunity to open in a unit which is absolutely fantastic.

Christmas gifts such as these tea light holders have been very popular with customers.Christmas gifts such as these tea light holders have been very popular with customers.
Christmas gifts such as these tea light holders have been very popular with customers.
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“We can make sure there is enough hand sanitizer around, check that people are wearing masks and limit the number of people who walk into the shop.”

The new business is named The Artisan Craft, Gift and Food Emporium and it is located on the first floor of the Frenchgate Centre next to the Sainsburys.

The duo opened the shop in August and have 13 independent crafters and artists in the space at any one time.

Many of them are permanent but others come in on a rotating basis similar to that of a traditional market.

Social distancing is being taken very seriously inside the new shop.Social distancing is being taken very seriously inside the new shop.
Social distancing is being taken very seriously inside the new shop.
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As Christmas fairs across the country this year have been cancelled or switched to virtual only the two women are hopeful that their indoor shop will pick up some of the trade.

Marie, who is aged 52, said: “People love going to Christmas markets and fairs but unfortunately this year there won’t be any.

“We have made that little mini Christmas market but in a shopping centre.”

Many of the stalls are gift based and the traders are already noticing an increase in people buying Christmas presents.

The shop is expecting a lot of Christmas trade due to markets across the country being cancelled. Decorations such as fairy lights have already been installed.The shop is expecting a lot of Christmas trade due to markets across the country being cancelled. Decorations such as fairy lights have already been installed.
The shop is expecting a lot of Christmas trade due to markets across the country being cancelled. Decorations such as fairy lights have already been installed.
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The shop is leaning into the festive vibe already with fairy lights strewn across stalls and low light Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling.

Both women are passionate about supporting other creatives as they have witnessed the community struggle during the last six months.

They say that many independents have had to give up their creative passions and find day jobs during the pandemic to get by.

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“It’s been very difficult for independent businesses for a while now due to Covid-19,” Tammy said.

“Fairs and markets have been cancelled and they have had nowhere to sell their products.

Independent business Karma, sells camel leather bags.Independent business Karma, sells camel leather bags.
Independent business Karma, sells camel leather bags.

“The internet and social media are absolutely saturated with people making things.”

According to Tammy there has been a steep rise in the number of novice crafters who started a creative hobby during the lockdown due to surplus time.

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But many of those beginners do not have knowledge in areas such as health and safety or insurance.

Tammy says it has made it harder for experienced crafters such as herself to survive the pandemic when there has been such a rise of new businesses undercutting the market and selling products at a much lower cost.

She said: “We love that we have been able to give people the opportunity to come and sell their products here in the real world to give them a chance against the online chaos.”

Tammy makes bath bombs herself and owns her own business named Fantastical Fizzies and Pearls and now has a permanent stand inside The Artisan Craft, Gift and Food Emporium.

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Not only has the shop opening had a positive impact on Tammy and Marie it has also helped the other traders who are using the space alongside them.

One such trader is Diane Duxbury of Black Raven Crafts, she said: “It’s been a lifeline for me.

“Everything was cancelled.

“It was awful.

“It’s lovely to see people and have a chat.

“We’ve even started getting regulars.”

Other businesses inside the new shop include Pixi Daisy, K and C Fragrances, Karma, MAS Fragrances, Wooden Dogs and Gifts and LA Skincare.

All business owners are from Yorkshire and the majority live in and around Doncaster.

Marie said: “We’ve got some amazing crafters.

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“We have a guy that makes furniture out of whisky barrels, a man who makes satchells from camel leather and even a couple who make wooden jigsaws by hand.

“Everything is quite unique and handmade.

“There are lots of things that you cannot buy on the High Street.”

Marie says there is a large range of products in the shop from as little as £1 up into the hundreds.

The duo want to expand the business and hope to have more events planned in the shop when Covid-19 guidelines allow.

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They want to encourage creatives in the community to approach them with their independent businesses as they want their supportive collaboration project to grow.

The shop is open on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays from 10am to 5pm.

And it is open 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Marie said: “We just want everybody to know that we’re here.

“We invite you to come down and look for yourself at all the amazing things that we have here.”

You can check out the shop online here.

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