A COMMUNITY shop in Thornbury is looking for more crafters to join its team.

Castle Crafts, in The Plain, was opened by Karen Woodman in May last year after taking over the shop that was previously Loobylou Yarns and Mint Plants.

Karen, who also works as a chiropodist in a clinic behind the shop, says she wants to enable local crafters to showcase and sell their work, while offering shoppers the opportunity to purchase locally made products, support local crafters and reduce the carbon footprint of mass produced, often imported goods.

Crafters are invited to either pay a small rent, after getting their first month for free, and/or volunteer in the shop.

In return they gain a local presence and any profits they make from selling their work.

"We also like to support charitable causes, recently knitting poppies for Remembrance Day and a shopping event for Brain Tumour Support," said Karen.

Crafters already involved with the shop include jewellers, glass makers, candle makers, potters, decoupage artists, felters, card makers, sewers, conserve and jam makers, macrame makers, and wood turners.

Bee products, eco products, plus wool and haberdashery products are also available at the shop.

Upon opening Karen said: "Through the pandemic, people have increasingly turned to online shopping and are missing the pleasure of physical shopping.

"We would love to see a return of customers to the high street, not only as a social experience but to support local retailers."

The shop was supported in its infancy through a Help us Thrive grant from South Gloucestershire Council, a scheme designed to make a positive contribution to high streets to help them thrive after Covid.

Now the shop is more established, Karen is keen for more crafters to get involved.

Anyone interested in joining the team should email castlecraftsandclinic@gmail.com or send them a message via the website castlecraftsandclinic.co.uk.

Alternatively, just pop in and say hello.

For more information about the crafters already onboard visit castlecraftsandclinic.co.uk/meet-the-crafters