Lockdown Diaries Cheshire Quality

As part of our Lockdown Diaries Sandra Curties, Town Centre and Marketing Officer for Knutsford Town Council spoke to Sam Jeffs of Cheshire Quality who had opened their King Street shop just before Lockdown measures were introduced.

Tell us a little bit about your business

We are a Cheshire based couple who both have family roots to the county, and after spending many years travelling, in our hearts, Cheshire was always home.

Our own passion for buying handmade goods opened our eyes to the eclectic mix of artisans within the area who provide the highest quality bespoke gifts, home wares and delicious artisan food.

Whilst shopping for ourselves, it became apparent that the Cheshire area has so much to offer. We also recognised that in what is an increasingly competitive market producers of handmade goods are on an uphill struggle to get their artisan products in front of potential customers. Whilst the growing trend of Artisan and Makers markets has been a stepping-stone for some, the ability to gain a stall at one of these events is becoming increasingly difficult.

So, Cheshire Quality was born! Working in partnership with Cheshire based artisans, Cheshire Quality offers a unique collection of Cheshire handmade gifts and food produce in one place.

What have you been doing to keep your business at the forefront of the community’s mind during Lockdown?

We have always had the facility to purchase some products online but once we were told to close the shop, we worked many hours to ensure ALL our products were available to the public. Everything is now available to purchase online.

The support from the UK has been fantastic, we have delivered to London, Plymouth, Newcastle, Birmingham, Scotland plus many more places across the country!

Our social media has grown significantly, and we have been sure to keep in touch with our artisans and followers on a regular basis. We are supporting 38 artisans, but we like to see this as one business supporting 38 mini businesses in this difficult time!

Can you share what help you have applied for in terms of grants and funding?

We have applied and received the grant.

Where are you up to with putting plans in place when Knutsford re-opens?

Wow, where to start!? We are working daily on our re-launch plan and will be coming back bigger and better! Although we only opened a month before the Lockdown, we have had a lot of people visit us in the shop, compliment us on the look, feel and service! We are working with our artisans to offer even more products exclusive to the store. We will be growing our offerings by introducing more artisans to the store, helping even more mini businesses and showing the public what Cheshire really has to offer.

What message do you have for other retailers?

Stay safe, strong and everyone needs to work together once this is over! Everyone can do something, even if it is as simple as all businesses following each other and sharing pages etc! I think the country will come together and support local now more than ever.

What do you miss most about not being open?

I miss the customers, feedback from people who enter the store that have not been in before! I miss the high street and seeing the artisans we work with on a regular basis.

Lockdown is over. Where will we find you and the Cheshire Quality team?

The first thing we will be doing is making sure we spend more time with family and friends…and getting an ice cold gin & tonic at the Botanist!