Cumbria Sewing & Craft
Sector:
Retail – Sewing, Knitting, Embroidery, Printing
Location:
Dalton Road, Barrow-in-Furness
Cumbria Sewing & Craft is a thriving independent retailer in Barrow town centre, offering a wide range of products and services for sewing, knitting, embroidery, and craft enthusiasts.
With nearly four decades of trading behind it, the business has grown from a modest sewing machine centre into a creative hub that’s as much about community as it is about craft.
Located on Dalton Road, the shop is a destination for customers seeking quality materials, expert advice, and hands-on experiences.
Its expansion into embroidery and printing services – including schoolwear and corporate workwear – has added a new dimension to its offering.
“We’ve grown so much that we had to take on the empty unit next door,” says founder Sandra Collings, who established the business with her late sister. “It was sad seeing it empty for 18 months – now it’s buzzing with activity.”
“Shops are opening, people are investing, and the town centre is becoming a destination again.”
The move to the high street from a nearby side street was a strategic decision and fulfilled a lifelong dream.
“We always wanted to be on Dalton Road,” Sandra explains. “It was our goal for years. We used to walk past the big shops and say, ‘What could we do with that space?’ Now we’re here, and the response has been incredible.”
Footfall has increased dramatically since the relocation, and the shop has become a magnet for locals and visitors alike.
“People come in from the Lakes and tell us what an amazing shop we’ve got,” Sandra said. “They love the atmosphere, the staff, and the sheer variety of what we offer.”
Cumbria Sewing & Craft has proven to be more than a retail space; it’s also a place to learn and connect.
The business runs a packed schedule of classes, including patchwork, dressmaking, crochet, knitting, and children’s sewing workshops.
“We’ve got four crochet classes a week, knit and natter groups, and sewing sessions for all ages,” Sandra explained. “We’ve even had speakers travel from Scotland to run workshops – and they’ve been fully booked.”
Inclusivity is a core part of the business ethos. The shop has welcomed residents from sheltered housing, including those with Alzheimer’s, into its classes.
“One lady had the time of her life in our sewing class last week,” Sandra said. “Another joined our crochet group and said she absolutely loved it. It’s about giving people a place to belong.”
Staffing has grown in line with demand. In the last 18 months, the business has doubled the size of its team.
Sandra’s leadership is matched by her commitment to Barrow’s wider regeneration. As vice chair of Barrow BID, she’s been instrumental in shaping the town centre’s future.
“I’ve been on the BID board since the beginning,” she said. “It was tough at first – poor support, not much money. But now it’s amazing. People can see what it’s doing for the town.”
She’s proud to be part of a growing business community. “There’s a real sense of positivity now,” she said. “Shops are opening, people are investing, and the town centre is becoming a destination again. I wouldn’t have opened another shop if I didn’t believe in Barrow’s future.”
Footfall has increased dramatically since the relocation, and the shop has become a magnet for locals and visitors alike.
