Crafty Makery offers free arts and craft in new hub inside Fareham Shopping Centre

The Crafty Makery is offering free arts and craft in its new homes inside Fareham Shopping Centre.

The space allows visitors to use kilns, 3D printers, sewing machines, and t-shirt design equipment – as well as colouring books for younger art fans.

Equipment is free to use, but those who can are encouraged to make a £5 donation to secure the future of the space, according to founder Shane Davies.

The 52-year-old said: ‘At the moment, we have a six months rolling contract to use the vacant unit.

‘But the landlord can give us 10 days notice to move.’

‘In an ideal world we would like to secure enough funding to pay the landlord so we are secure here.’

‘We believe it adds value to the shopping centre – the whole point of this shop is helping the community to be a community again.

‘We have seen an increase in the number of coffee shops and hair stylists in the town centre, but we need community spaces.’

The Fareham-based carpenter and teacher set up a Crafty Makery store in West Street in May 2018, but financial issues forced it to close, with some craft sessions continuing in Cafe Imbizo in the Fareham Community Church.

Shane said: ‘I couldn’t afford to pay £2,000 in bills a month to be (on West Street).

‘Hopefully, this will become our long term home.

‘I will continue to run some group sessions at the church.’

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The new hub is needed more than ever, as people struggle with their mental health due to the national lockdown and coronavirus outbreak, according to teacher and volunteer Paula North.

The Fareham resident said: ‘This is great timing – it offers great support.

‘People are lonely and people are struggling.

‘There is a need for more support like this in the community.’

Chris Pond – who was using the space to make fly-fishing lures – agreed: ‘I joined the group two years ago when my mental health broke down.

‘There isn’t enough support like this in the community.’

The store is open 9am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

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