Page 22 - Patchwork & Quilting - UK (February 2020)

FEATURE // let's go shopping

A warm
welcome with
class samples

Displays of pre cuts
are dotted around Batiks and notions

that moment on everyone wanted to know what they could started to work in the shop perhaps two months before Rob
do to help. Not only have all the customers been really and Verona retired, while they shared everything they possibly
supportive, Andy said the nicest thing when I was there. He could. It mattered to them that the new owner should be the
has lots of ideas, enthusiastic and willing to help in the shop, right one; it mattered to Beryl that she should not let them
with practical tasks, at shows, but simply stated, ‘it is Beryl’s down. Verona and Rob closed the door just before Christmas
business’. During my visit, Jordan was busy working on the 2018 and Beryl reopened on 4 January 2019.
then new website, looking at the way the shop fl ows, listening
to what people want, valuable fresh eyes from a younger Louise and Sally, both long time staff have stayed, Diane also

person. A short aside, the website is indeed now up and gets involved. The current plan is to start trading at some of
running and very easy to negotiate and use! the smaller shows, getting some experience under their belt.
Honestly, this is really boring how incredibly thoughtfully and
The challenges in taking on a well established and well loved well they are tackling everything. Perhaps why Verona and Rob

business can be enormous but Beryl hit it off from day could say goodbye knowing the shop was in very good hands.
one and has been determined that the shop should retain They have traded at the Duxford shows and also attended the
its same comfortable and familiar feel, while introducing Harrogate show in August, which was a diff erent experience.
touches of her own when she feels it is right. It is a good time Yet they still met some of their customers and that is some
to acknowledge how much friends and customers of Verona distance. With some nice feedback from new customers they
and Rob owe and thank them and it is indicative of them were delighted when a new customer from Harrogate went
how much help they gave Beryl during the hand over. Beryl into the shop the following week to see what they had to off er!

22 British Patchwork & Quilting FEBRUARY 2020