York shop to close this month: ‘With the rent being extortionate, I just can’t do it’
A York shop will close at the end of this month, the owner has announced.
Knit & Stitch on Colliergate, which sells yarns and fabrics as well as knitting, crocheting, stitching and quilting supplies, will close on Saturday, 27 June.
The shop will reopen after lockdown for four more days in total:
- Wednesday, 17 June
- Saturday, 20 June
- Wednesday, 24 June, and
- Saturday, 27 June.
Knit & Stitch owner Liz Myers says she is also closing the branch in Maltby, but keeping the shop in Doncaster open.
She explained her decision in a personal video shared on Facebook.
Liz said: “It is a tough time for us. We’ve done all we can to keep going, but it’s just not going to be sustainable in York for the next, I don’t know how long.
“But I envisage it’s not going to recover very quickly here in York. We rely heavily on tourists and visitors to the city.
“And it’s not going to happen. With the rent being extortionate, I just can’t do it.”
A community hub
More than just a shop, it was home to classes and workshops, making it a community hub for knitters and others.
“I know this is not great news for everybody, especially me and my family and my mum and some of the staff,” Liz said.
“And I am truly sorry that we’ve come to this, but in order for me to mentally and physically survive, then these are some of the decisions that we need to make.
“We’re still Knit & Stitch, but we’re just a smaller version of it going forward from from July.”
The many fans of the York shop were disappointed by the news. One said: “So sorry you have to close your York shop, my favourite knitting shop, lovely helpful staff and good range of stock.”