RESIDENTS are gutted after a business selling handmade good and vintage items was forced to close.

Oxford Etsy, in Orchard Centre in Didcot, has been based in the town since the start of 2020 but will have to leave its premises next Thursday (July 28) after its contract wasn’t renewed.

The store, which sells items from local Etsy sellers in and around Oxfordshire and 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.

READ MORE: Etsy shop in Didcot 'told to leave' within two weeks

Now residents have voiced their frustration online at seeing the shop going.

Craig Miller said: “A real shame to have a shop selling local and environmentally friendly products forced out. We already have enough shops selling marked up products from factories on the other side of the planet.”

Nicole Bennett said: “There’s other empty units the new shop that’s supposed to be moving could use instead. Why take away a thriving business?”

Veronika Thomson said: “What a joke. Half the centre is empty. Can the Orchard centre really just do whatever they want? Didn't the farmers market need to move recently too?”

Patricia Purnell said: “I really like Etsy, it has so many beautiful and different things, it will be such a shame to lose it.”

Jenni Ray, who runs a floristry and arts and crafts business, said: “Along with some handcrafted bespoke items foraged and sourced from the local area that I sold in Etsy, I also hosted some artisan wreath making workshops for Christmas and Easter at Etsy which were very well attended.

“As far as I know there is nowhere else local you can do this, so a big loss not only to me but for other local sellers too.”

Natasha Martell said: “It’s always a shame to lose independent shops and handmade beautiful crafts.”

Richard William said: “It makes no sense to move on a thriving unique business when other units are idle.”

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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: “It has been an amazing place to work. We are currently on the hunt for new premises in Oxfordshire so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.”

 

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi