Places to Visit: Made in Ashford
It’s been a while since we posted a ‘Places to Visit’ blog - which isn’t too surprising - given the strange circumstances we all found ourselves in this year. But, now things are slowly starting to return to ‘normal’, I decided it’s time to start this up again. We really do understand the importance of supporting local, especially now. So, I thought it would be really nice to welcome our blog feature back with the wonderful Made in Ashford… www.madeinashford.com
Who are Made in Ashford?
Made in Ashford is a collaborative of local designer/makers and crafts people selling and supporting each other in a stylish shop located in the Ashford Borough Council owned Park Mall shopping centre here in Kent.
The shop is run by the Craftship Enterprise CIC, a social enterprise which aims to help support and nurture small creative businesses by giving them an affordable platform on the high street, to showcase and sell their products. Craftship enterprise seeks to make creativity accessible to all and it is their mission to fulfil this. The team know how good creating is for well being and forging a sense of community and that is why they are so passionate about it! Their social enterprise is an avid collaborator and they try to help as much as possible within the community to make the town an even better place to be.
Made in Ashford was a pop up shop that never popped off! The shop has become a permanent home to many handmade in Kent businesses and creatives (47 of them at last count!) They continue to be an Ashford Borough council supported project as part of the Ashford town centre regeneration.
What’s there?
What else?
Made in Ashford hold loads of workshops and creative groups. They want creativity to be accessible to all despite financial situations, so they always have 1 subsidised place on all of their workshops. The workshop space if upstairs in the shop, and they have a large table so everyone can all work together as a community and get to make friends. Of course, this is on hold at the moment but will soon be back!
You’ll also be able to find lots of craft activities and downloadable colouring sheets on their website - such a great idea…https://www.madeinashford.com/blogs/craft-activities
So, next time you’re on the hunt for a gift (or something to treat yourself), we really recommend heading to Made in Ashford and supporting local creatives! My mum and I have purchased lots of beautiful items from here - it really is a gem within Ashford town.
Made in Ashford, Unit 26 Park Mall, Ashford, Kent, TN27 8NY.