Hobbycraft
Encyclopedia
HobbyCraft is the registered trademark
of HobbyCraft Group Ltd., an arts and crafts
superstore chain.
It is the largest chain of craft superstores in the United Kingdom, and the first of its kind in Europe. Craft shops are traditionally small and based on specific crafts, whereas HobbyCraft stocks material for several different crafts. It was started by the Haskins group, a nursery and garden supplier in the south of England. Hobbycraft has recently been bought by investment group Bridgepoint
. The first store opened in Dorset
in 1995. There are currently 51 stores across the UK - the newest being in Croydon
, Basingstoke
, Chelmsford
and Norwich
.
Several publications have described it as useful for obtaining craft projects for children, particularly for school holiday
s. The store holds a national arts and crafts competition for children and adults.
The stores are often suggested by newspapers as places in which women can find items such as sequins with which to embellish their clothes. The store is suggested by publications such as The Guardian
for those who wish to make their own Christmas, table, or wedding decorations.
The stores have been blamed for putting independent craft suppliers out of business, and the amount of choice for specific hobbies has been said to be not as good as in specialised stores. HobbyCraft reported a 10% increase in sales in early 2010, and opened two new stores, with the chief executive saying arts and crafts are a low cost hobby
and so he believes they will do well despite difficulties in the economy.
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
of HobbyCraft Group Ltd., an arts and crafts
Arts and crafts
Arts and crafts comprise a whole host of activities and hobbies that are related to making things with one's hands and skill. These can be sub-divided into handicrafts or "traditional crafts" and "the rest"...
superstore chain.
It is the largest chain of craft superstores in the United Kingdom, and the first of its kind in Europe. Craft shops are traditionally small and based on specific crafts, whereas HobbyCraft stocks material for several different crafts. It was started by the Haskins group, a nursery and garden supplier in the south of England. Hobbycraft has recently been bought by investment group Bridgepoint
Bridgepoint Capital
Bridgepoint is a UK-based private equity investor in companies valued up to €1 billion, including Pets at Home and Pret A Manger in the UK, Dorna in Spain, and Alain Afflelou in France.-History:...
. The first store opened in Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
in 1995. There are currently 51 stores across the UK - the newest being in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, Basingstoke
Basingstoke
Basingstoke is a town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. It lies across a valley at the source of the River Loddon. It is southwest of London, northeast of Southampton, southwest of Reading and northeast of the county town, Winchester. In 2008 it had an estimated population of...
, Chelmsford
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester...
and Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
.
Several publications have described it as useful for obtaining craft projects for children, particularly for school holiday
School holiday
School holidays are the periods during which schools are closed for study. The dates and periods of school holidays vary considerably throughout the world, and there is usually some variation even within the same jurisdiction.- Christmas holiday :In countries with a predominantly Judeo-Christian...
s. The store holds a national arts and crafts competition for children and adults.
The stores are often suggested by newspapers as places in which women can find items such as sequins with which to embellish their clothes. The store is suggested by publications such as The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
for those who wish to make their own Christmas, table, or wedding decorations.
The stores have been blamed for putting independent craft suppliers out of business, and the amount of choice for specific hobbies has been said to be not as good as in specialised stores. HobbyCraft reported a 10% increase in sales in early 2010, and opened two new stores, with the chief executive saying arts and crafts are a low cost hobby
Hobby
A hobby is a regular activity or interest that is undertaken for pleasure, typically done during one's leisure time.- Etymology :A hobby horse is a wooden or wickerwork toy made to be ridden just like a real horse...
and so he believes they will do well despite difficulties in the economy.
External links
- Official Website
- Further Hobbycraft expansion by Ronnie Dungan in Toy news February 19, 2009.
- Alexa report of the Hobbycraft website.