Gifts of Wales

Where is the business based?

Church Street, Welshpool

How long has the business been running?

Since April, 2021.

What does the business do/make/sell?

We offer a range of Welsh home and gift products. We offer a range of goods from homeware including traditional Welsh blankets to modern quirky footstools, toiletries all made ethically in Wales, candles, diffusers and decorative pieces made from ceramic and glass.

One of our new suppliers that will be coming on board shortly is a social enterprise that trains adults with learning difficulties, giving them work skills. We offer handmade accessories including jewellery, bags and ponchos, each individually made by skilled artisans. We stock a range of Welsh nursery products, and a range of Welsh food with Welsh drinks as well as bespoke hampers and gift boxes.

Why did you decide to set up the business?

We only source products from Wales, as we are passionate about local products. Through or sourcing we aim to give our customers genuine Welsh products that are ethically and sustainably sourced. Wherever possible we source from artisans and makers that are not widely available in the market place, creating a unique showcase of products.

Through our sourcing policy we are able to support the economy of Wales in a small way as we are helping to support other Welsh businesses, our close working relationship with the suppliers and the questions we ask when setting up a supplier also helps us to ensure that suppliers share our ethos and consider the environment, animal welfare and working conditions when purchasing their raw materials and packaging.

What is your most memorable or proudest moment in business?

The stories behind the products, how they are made and who makes them can really bring a product to life, and through our close working relationships with suppliers we gain understanding so we can share the stories with our customers, helping them to choose and bring the product to life. Customer service is very important to us, we want to give our customers an experience to remember for the right reasons.

For us this is still early days, we gained access to the premises four days before opening and with social distancing still in place there was no opportunity for a grand opening.

In the short period we have been open we have received so much positive feedback from customers, both locals and visitors to the area. Last Friday we were named as a rural business awards regional finalist in the best rural retail business Wales and Northern Ireland category, which has been a real highlight in our journey so far.

Business details - Instagram @giftsofwales or www.giftsofwales.co.uk or contact Kathryn Greatorex at Gifts of Wales on 1938 578854.

Opening hours - Monday-Saturday – 9.30am-5pm.

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