Oxfordshire sewing centre closes final shop as business shuts down
Cotswolds Sewing Centre is an independent family business, which had stores in Banbury and Witney and popular online shopping site.
The company announced it would be closing its shop in Parsons Street, Banbury, in January earlier this year after more than 40 years as a staple of the craft industry in the old town.
READ MORE: Amber heat-health alert issued for Oxfordshire amid heatwave
At the time, Amy Brennan, who took over the business after he mother died in 2020, said the business' other shop in Witney and its online retail store would remain open.
Amy Brennan of Cotswold Sewing Centres (Image: Banbury Sewing Centre) Now, however, the owner has announced the closure of both.
Experience the pulse of Oxford at your fingertips 🗞️ With our flash sale, Oxford Mail keeps you updated for less: only £4 for 4 months or save 40 per cent on an annual subscription. Don't miss out on what's happening locally #DigitalDeal #LocalJournalismhttps://t.co/phh384Sgme pic.twitter.com/j8wJrLoxkk
— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) June 16, 2025
Ms Brennan said in a notice to customers: "With a heavy heart I'm announcing the closing of Cotswold Sewing Centres.
"Our Witney store and website will close in June 2025. Unfortunately the April increases for businesses has forced this decision.
"Thank you for all the support over the years."
READ MORE: Award-winning Cotswolds pub sold to family-run pub company
The shop has an "everything must go" sale on in its Witney store and online site to get rid of the last of the stock before it shuts its doors on Tuesday, June 24.
When she closed the Banbury store, Ms Brennan said: "As many will know, I took over the shop after the death of my lovely mum in order to continue with her dream of what the business could become.
'I took a leap of faith five years ago during Covid and decided to take the shop on, and turn it around. I feel I've honoured my mum the best I can.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
From swimming pools and spas to dual kitchens, have property developers gone too far?
With luxury developments popping up all over London and desirable destinations around the world, one of the ways developers separate themselves from the competition is through the amenities they offer. No longer is it enough for a development to have a swimming pool, it needs an on-site spa as well, while homes come with latest gadgets and hi-tech security features. 'The ultra-prime market has matured. These clients have seen it all before — IMAX cinemas, private bowling alleys, golf simulators, car lifts etc — and they're no longer dazzled by novelty for novelty's sake. If an amenity doesn't genuinely enhance their daily life, it risks feeling like an expensive gimmick,' says Robin Edwards, partner at Curetons buying agency. Of course, these amenities don't come for free and are factored into a development's annual service charge — something even ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) pay attention to. 'Many of our clients now consider service charges in the context of the overall purchase and whether this is something worth paying for when looking at new luxury builds,' says Camilla Dell, founder of Black Brick. Read more: How you can still make money from flipping property So which facilities and services are the rich willing to pay more for and which are extraneous? We spoke to seven property experts to get their take. Which amenities are UHNWIs looking for? Security The security of their home is regularly something that tops the list of must-haves for UHNWIs. This is not just because they might be high profile and a target for potential thefts but also because their homes are often left unoccupied for large periods of time as they may own several properties around the world. 'Discrete safety and security features are a big priority, private entrances and fixtures like biometric access and advanced surveillance and monitoring equipment,' says Edwards. It's not just break-ins that residents are worried about. They want to know that nothing is going wrong with their home while they are away — whether that's a leaky boiler or a broken fridge — and that everything will be in working order on their return. Jamie Hope, at Maskells, explains: 'We have seen a significant increase in our home management offering, especially to monitor and service key infrastructure systems so that the owners know that when they are away, the property is secure and when they arrive, the (often very high tech) systems are working as they should do.' Concierge Coupled with security is the important role that a concierge plays — in the online era, they aren't just someone from whom you collect your mail. Read more: What are branded residences and who's buying them? 'What nearly all of our high-end buyers do want though is a first-class concierge who will handle Amazon (AMZN) deliveries, dry cleaning, hand their dog over to the walker and can arrange a proper hotel-standard turndown service,' says Jo Eccles, founder of Eccord buying agency. 'Practical 'back of house' facilities have had to evolve and develop significantly with the rise of food deliveries such as Deliveroo (ROO.L) and Ocado (OCDO.L), needing to be able to accommodate and store hot and cold food until the concierge is able to take them up to the apartment, as delivery drivers won't be permitted to roam the building.' Children's services Several of our experts reported that amenities geared towards helping parents with younger or teenage children were becoming increasingly sought-after. 'Our concierge teams are placing increasing emphasis on teen-focused programming that encourages time away from screens,' says Liza Zuravel at Rhodium, a luxury property management company. 'Parents are actively looking for activities that are social: cinema nights, table tennis, pool. Even when teens are reluctant at first, they often end up appreciating the chance to unplug.' Eccles cites one London development, in particular, that has cottoned onto the potential of this valuable service: 'Holland Park Gate caters incredibly well for children and even has a house car with a driver on standby for school runs. That's the kind of service clients really value and are willing to pay for.' Sustainable building materials Many developers are increasingly shouting about their use of sustainable and environmentally friendly materials – and for good reason. 'Developers integrating sustainable building materials and energy efficient tech to environmentally conscious buyers with certifications like LEED or WELL have become key selling points, not just for ethical reasons, but because these credentials protect long-term asset value,' says Kate Donneky of Rhodium. 'As climate concerns escalate, developments with poor environmental performance will struggle to maintain relevance.' Dual kitchens While Boomers preferred to eat in a dining room, wealthy Millennials and Gen-Zers want a luxury kitchen where they can entertain. This means that they often need a second kitchen where either they or their staff can prepare the meal. 'Dual kitchens, one for show and entertaining, another for staff and day-to-day use, are also hugely popular with my clients at the moment,' confirms Edwards. Hybrid spaces As many HNWIs regularly work from home, they need spaces that can be adapted to their business needs — and even those that replicate the social side of being in an office. 'Today's buyer wants rooms that can evolve with their needs, home offices that convert into wellness suites, entertainment spaces that double as work zones,' says Jenny Naylor of Rhodium. 'We're also seeing a rise in co-working lounges and residents' clubs within schemes, supporting hybrid lifestyles without compromising on luxury.' Which amenities are seen as a waste of money? Swimming pools It's well-known that a development with an indoor swimming pool usually comes with a hefty service charge. 'Swimming pools are in our opinion becoming less relevant and important for UHNWIs. In most new builds that we view we rarely ever see the pools being used and of course they cost a fortune to operate,' says Dell. With London square footage at a premium, swimming pools are often found in the basement of a development, making them unwelcoming spaces for residents. Robin Edwards says he's come across 'lots of narrow basement swimming pools barely big enough to swim in' while researching homes for his wealthy clients. Spas While fitness and wellness are growing areas, developers need to carefully consider the benefits of a spa or luxury gym. 'Most high-end developments in prime central London have their own treatment rooms but they're rarely used in my experience,' says Eccles. 'I can't recall a single occasion in my 20-year career when we haven't been able to view the spa rooms because they're occupied. 'And many UHNWs will prefer to join a prestigious gym nearby such as Third Space or KX, as they may be loyal fans of a particular class there and are also going for the social and networking aspect.' Rooms without natural daylight There's the temptation for developers to maximise square footage in expensive cities, which often involves digging down several storeys. Not only is this expensive but there is a ceiling on how usable this extra space becomes. While underground car parking is usually a win, other basement areas, used as wine cellars, cinema rooms, nightclubs and padel courts, are not so popular and are rarely used. Over-complicated tech While technology has made many aspects of life easier, it can also make it more complicated, especially when it breaks down. 'If you need an iPad and a manual to turn the lights on and off, the design has failed,' says Edwards. Read more: The pros and cons of buying property off-plan What is pre-application planning and can you do it yourself? How school fees can affect your mortgage borrowing
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
TheWorks.co.uk Full Year 2025 Earnings: EPS: UK£0.13 (vs UK£0.10 in FY 2024)
Explore Fair Values from the Community and select yours (LON:WRKS) Full Year 2025 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: UK£277.0m (down 2.0% from FY 2024). Net income: UK£8.18m (up 28% from FY 2024). Profit margin: 3.0% (up from 2.3% in FY 2024). EPS: UK£0.13 (up from UK£0.10 in FY 2024). This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. WRKS Sales Performance Like-for-like sales growth: 0.8% vs FY 2024. All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period Earnings Insights In the last 12 months, the only revenue segment was Retail - Toys & Hobby Stores contributing UK£277.0m. Notably, cost of sales worth UK£229.8m amounted to 83% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The largest operating expense was General & Administrative costs, amounting to UK£29.0m (71% of total expenses). Over the last 12 months, the company's earnings were enhanced by non-operating gains of UK£1.55m. Explore how WRKS's revenue and expenses shape its earnings. Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 4.7% p.a. on average during the next 2 years, compared to a 3.7% growth forecast for the Specialty Retail industry in the United Kingdom. Performance of the British Specialty Retail industry. The company's shares are down 11% from a week ago. Risk Analysis We should say that we've discovered 3 warning signs for (1 is a bit concerning!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Surge in demand helps North East tech firm achieve record revenue growth
A surge in demand has helped a North East tech firm achieve record-breaking revenue growth. Intasite, based in Stockton, has reported 20 per cent year-on-year growth following increased uptake of its cloud-based digital induction and site access solutions, designed for high-risk industrial environments. The technology, used by more than 350,000 users and supporting over 900,000 inductions, streamlines safety and compliance processes for clients including RWE, Biffa, and Morgan Sindall Group. Danielle Croce, commercial director at Intasite, said: "This milestone reflects the trust our clients place in us and the value our platform delivers every day. "We've worked hard to ensure our technology remains intuitive and effective, and configured to each client's individual needs. "What's most exciting is that we're only just getting started. "As more industries embrace digital transformation, we're committed to staying ahead of the curve by investing in our people, our platform, and the partnerships that make this growth possible." The Middlesbrough firm is now seeking larger premises and hiring for roles including video editors, business development managers, and software engineers to support its continued growth. Technical director Andy Murphy said: "The growth we're seeing is down to the relationships we have with clients and the savings we offer in time and resource, which results in improved productivity and profit for the people using our platform. "We've built strong partnerships across sectors, and that's what's driving this momentum. "Now, we're ready to take things to the next level with new features and team members." Intasite's success has been recognised with a series of recent awards. The company received the Innovation Tees Valley 2025 Professional Services Award, and Ms Croce was named Tees Businesswoman of the Year for her leadership. Intasite's platform supports a range of services, including online inductions, ePermits, contractor management, and visitor management. READ MORE: North East hazardous materials specialist secures place on major framework Newcastle firm secures major contract at North East college Restoration work to begin on historic North East building housing museum The company's technology is designed to streamline site access and health and safety procedures for safety-critical industries, helping organisations stay compliant and improve operational efficiency. The firm says that its ongoing investment in talent and technology will help it meet rising demand as more industries adopt digital solutions for site management. For more information about the company and its digital platform, visit
