February Stockist of the Month: Material Needs

Material Needs of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset offer a huge range of fabrics and much more including Liberty and When I'm Big, the new Guess How Much I Love You collection. Their team are specialists in a whole range of popular crafts and are passionate about helping customers with their projects which are often displayed in the shop. We caught up with owners Nick and Nicky to find out more...



Tell us about the history of your shop and the team?
 
We purchased Material Needs three and a half years ago.  The shop had been in business for around twenty years and specialised in haberdashery, paper craft, quilting, knitting and crochet wool.

We have recruited a whole new team, who are all specialists in their own areas.  The team are Nick and Nicky (the owners), Charlotte, Sheana, Lynn and Anne.  Between us we cover seven days a week.

 

What do you offer that makes you stand out from other retailers?
 
We have a vast range of fabrics (about half of which is for quilting), and extended ranges of quality knitting supplies and yarn, haberdashery, quilting supplies, cross stitch and embroidery, trimmings and sewing boxes and bags.  We also now stock a wide range of oilcloths and dressmaking patterns and fabrics.


 
What are you passionate about?
 
Listening to our customers and customer service delivery.  We want to know what customers are making with our products and what they would like to see in our shop.

Each of our team is interested in a different craft area, so we have good coverage of most subjects.

 

How do you choose what you stock?
 
We listen to what our customers want and when we have reps in our shop, we regularly ask customers their opinions.  We also buy what we like!


 
What do you love about quilting?
 
I am not a quilter myself but love talking to customers, seeing, sharing on our Facebook page and occasionally displaying in the shop what they have made.  They are always happy to show us and we spend lots of time helping them to choose fabrics.


 
What project are you working on at the minute?
 
We are still busy developing the shop.  Nicky is always either knitting, or sewing garments to display in the shop and window, which usually has a theme.  We have recently displayed various themes including Peter Pan, Harry Potter and Alice in Wonderland and now The Borrowers.  We have an active Facebook page and our own Loyalty Card system.  I hope, one day, to find the time to make my own quilt!

 

Are there any future plans you wish to share with us?
 
We have a training room where we hold several well attended weekly groups and occasional courses.  We hope to expand its use.  We also plan to expand our website and offer web sales in the future.  But customers can contact us through our Facebook page, where we are constantly updating our new products or by email or phone.


Find and connect with Material Needs

79 High Street,
Burnham-on-Sea,
Somerset,
TA8 1PE

01278 794751
info@material-needs.co.uk
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