Etsy shop in Didcot 'told to leave' within two weeks

Oxford Etsy, in Orchard Centre, has been based in the town since the start of 2020.

However, the store, which sells items from local Etsy sellers in and around Oxfordshire, now has two weeks to find new premises after its contract wasn’t renewed.

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A staff member at the Oxford Etsy store in Didcot (Credit: Ed Nix)

Jasmine Blanshard-Whitton, who works at the store, said the business was placed on a temporary contact while the existing contract was renewed.

But instead of the contract being finalised, the store was allegedly given two weeks’ notice to vacate the premises.

Miss Blanshard-Whitton said the news came from “out of the blue” and staff and customers are “frustrated” with the decision.

She said: “We were finalising the details for renewing the contract for the next year but then they said we’ve got two weeks to leave as some else is waiting to move in.

“It was very unexpected as we’re a popular shop and sales are good. We did try and negotiate with them.

A staff member at the Oxford Etsy store in Didcot (Credit: Ed Nix)

“We said we’re happy to accept any raising fees and they changed some of the clauses in the contract and we said we’re more than happy to work with them but out of the blue they changed their minds.

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“They still haven’t given us a final date to move out, they just said two weeks. They just said there is a new shop waiting to come in and didn’t say anything else really.”

The store, which features over 90 local makers and small businesses as well as an eco-refill station, made the announcement to its sellers and customers last week.

The outside of the store in Didcot (Credit: Ed Nix)

“We’ve had a lot of customers who were very surprised and upset,” said Miss Blanshard-Whitton.

“We’re the only place in Didcot that does eco-refills and a lot of people rely on us for that. We also do community workshops as well so it’s a loss of wellbeing space for the community.

“But everyone has been very supportive and all the sellers are offering anything they can do to help which is lovely.”

The business is now hoping to find another premise in Didcot but is struggling due to the short notice.

Miss Blanshard-Whitton added: “The landlords suggested a temporary property to us but haven’t given us any suggestions to permanent property.

The outside of the store in Didcot (Credit: Ed Nix)

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“I think we’re just disappointed and surprised and the way it’s been handled is not the best - it seems like they knew for a while and only just told us about it so there is some frustration on our end.”

The Orchard Centre have failed to comment.  

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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