Made in Ashford 2020 report

The last year was challenging for all retail businesses, but Made in Ashford, in Park Mall, Ashford, had a successful year building the craft community and working together to help and support others.

The shop was able to claim a government business support grant in the first lockdown which enabled them to improve their website. This made the transition to online sales smoother and led to 385 parcels being sent out in 2020. The website is growing, and there are now more than 370 listings.

During the first lockdown the social media following for the shop grew by 20%, through the free activity pack downloads for Easter and VE Day, and Halloween, the shop’s fifth birthday and Christmas. Thanks to support from Ashford Borough Council, Print Junction and Craftship Enterprise, almost 300 printed packs were given for free to foodbanks.

The community spirit shone through as more than £15,000 was raised by the Ashford, Dover and Folkestone Scrubbers to help them make and distribute PPE to hospitals and care homes during the spring lockdown. Sarah Mabb, Megan McKay and Melissa Dawkins were able to buy almost 10km of material to make more than 4,000 sets of scrubs, 6,499 scrub hats, 4,691 wash bags, 3,708 scrub masks and 450 PPE surgical gowns, as well as resizing 280 sets of scrubs for William Harvey Hospital.

To stay safe in the pandemic, the group oversaw several craft workshops and held online markets. They also made a face covering for one of the Ashford Snowdogs.

Melissa Dawkins, Director of Craftship Enterprise, said: “We’re pleased with how 2020 went, in difficult circumstances. While sales went down by 32%, the shop was closed for 34% of the year, including the last week before Christmas when we have usually done 8% of our sales for the year.

“We are excited about 2021 and are looking forward to welcoming people back to the shop when it is safe to do so. If you are crafty and want to get involved with the community, please get in touch with us.”

Cllr Paul Clokie, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Corporate Property, said: “In this very difficult year we are pleased that Made in Ashford have been able to have a good year. They continue to be an example of how a community shop can survive in the regenerated high street.”

Find out more about Made in Ashford on their website. You can also read the full 2020 report online.