GIVING customers the chance to have a natter about their knitting has helped a Morpeth business to receive a prestigious award.
Readers of the Knit Today magazine voted for their favourite stores across the UK regions and Treacle Wool Shop in Chantry Place was recently revealed as the winner of the Best North East Knitting Retailer category.
Owner Kym Hewison noticed on her Facebook feed that a shop in the South West had posted about its success so out of curiosity, she checked to see who had landed the North East title.
“It was a wonderful surprise when I discovered that Treacle was the winner,” she added.
“The award is for everyone who works here, our knitters and our customers, who have played their part in making the business successful.
“It has given me a boost to find out that many people think we are doing a good job and it feels great to receive the award from a public vote.
“A key part of what we do is talking to customers and making sure they are happy with what they receive and this means they are more likely to come back and tell their friends about the shop.
“We have become an established part of the community since we opened in October 2009 and I believe that people have also recognised our other activities.”
As well as its Knit2gether events, Treacle Wool Shop customers and supporters have made items such as hats and mitts for people in hospitals, hospices and shelters by going to the store to collect a knitting pack, then returning the finished items.
And Susan Tait, a member of the knitting team, agreed to make a 40ft-long yellow and blue scarf to raise awareness of the services provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) after Ms Hewison heard about the Newcastle CAB project and said she would see if anyone associated with Treacle was willing to take on the challenge.
A few weeks ago, the massive scarf was placed on Grey’s Monument in Newcastle city centre.