A GRANDDAUGHTER who followed in her grandmothers footsteps by setting up her own knitting shop is welcoming new customers as she expands her business.
Nanna B’s Knitting and Haberdashery can now be found at Doveleys Garden Centre, as well as in The Maltings, which has been its home for the last two years.
The store offers knitting enthusiasts a wide range of products including needles, wools and patterns to keep their hands occupied and the garden centre unit offers similar products with handmade handbags and jewellery.
It also stocks items made by local business people such as Knitterates, Yarn Pot and Dot, who makes hats, blankets and cushions as a hobby.
Owner Kerry Hemmings opened the shop as a commemoration of her grandparents, Barbara and Sam Bryan.
Mr and Mrs Bryan formerly owned The Wool Centre, in Market Place, Uttoxeter, where Mrs Hemmings picked up all the tricks of the trade.
The 39-year-old, who has three members of staff, said: “During the first year of the shop I did really well as it was the beginning of the recession and the unit is helpful to support the shop.
“Business was okay during the first eight weeks.
Some weeks are quiet and some are busy so it depends really.
“The unit was meant to be gift shop but people wanted wool more and more often, so I had to bring it up from the shop.
People who have never knitted before are welcome to attend her workshops.
“The average age of a knitter is now 38, but I do get customers younger than that,” she said.
“Knitting is something that is coming back in style and knitting groups are becoming more popular.”
The mother-of three said her new unit has enabled her to meet new customers as people from Ashbourne, Burton, Stafford and Matlock visit the garden centre and pop-in to her unit.
As well has introducing more workshops, her future plans include taking part in the wedding fair at the garden centre in September where she will be displaying knitted wedding figures and she will also be joining in the Christmas displays.
More information is available from Nanna B’s at www.nannabs-knitting.me.uk or by telephoning 01889 590868 or 01889 568221.
