THE CRAFT COOP STORY:
The idea for Craft Coop came about in 2009 when Teresa Mills, a mosaic artist based in Maidenhead, wanted to find a way to reconnect the community with some of the skilled local crafters and the beautiful products they produced - and at the same time to provide a place where craftspeople could meet and support each other.
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The first Craft Coop events were traditional Christmas Craft Fairs, followed by one day pop up events.....which were followed by weekend, and then 6 week pop ups. Craft Coop continued to work to promote and support craftspeople from the local area, working closely with the Enjoy Maidenhead Team and the Nicholsons Centre to take over empty shop units and create amazing craft-centred community spaces - moving every 6 weeks from one empty shop unit to the next.
Mother's Day Pop Up Shop - 2012
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Craft Coop Shop-August 2014
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Craft Coop Shop - Feb. 2015
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Finally, in 2013, Craft Coop became a Community Interest Company, and was able to take on a longer term lease in the Nicholsons Centre. Most recently, we have also had pop up shops in the neighbouring town of Marlow.
In July 2014, The Craft Coop Shop was voted Independent of the Year in Maidenhead, and went on to become runner up in the National contest. We are extremely proud of this achievement.
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Numerous nominations for further recognition followed, including being shortlisted for The Muddy Stilettoes Best Gift Shop Award in 2016 (both Berkshire & Buckinghamshire), and Finalists in the Maidenhead Business Girls Heart of the Community Award in 2017 and Community Business Award in 2018. In 2017, our Marlow shop was voted Best Customer Experience in the Marlow FM Hidden Gems Awards.
Our Vision
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We're a Community Interest Company!
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