An independent York shop has shut and moved out – but not before making a very charitable final gesture.
The Viking-themed Knutti gift store has been trading on Goodramgate since July 2023.
Knutti, meaning ‘little Canute’, was a fictional Viking created by the store team Anthony Lewis and Lei Li.
Knutti soft toys and items decorated with his image were sold at the shop, along with other gifts.
The shop was hit hard during roadworks to install the Goodramgate bollards just two weeks after opening. But then it started to gain great customer feedback, with a five-star rating on Google Reviews.
Now though the shop is shuttered and empty.
No announcement was made about the closure on the store’s social media. YorkMix has contacted the owners but hasn’t yet heard back.
The company filed its accounts at the end of December and then changed its registered address on 5 January. The website has been down for some time.
Anthony and his husband Jonathan Burgoyne were also the team behind the award-winning Bishop and The Bison Boutique Hotel on Clifton.
After the Knutti shop was closed they donated much of the spare stock to The Snappy Trust, the York charity dedicated to maximising the personal development of children and young people with disabilities.
Anne Stamp, Snappy’s service manager, said: “We’re so happy with all the merchandise we have been given.
“Jonathan has been amazing and Knutti is taking over Snappy!
“Each child loved their Knutti and families have been given merchandise important to family life. Our gratitude and love go out to them for the happiness they have brought to our little corner of York.”