The UK Hand Knitting Association has written to the Prime Minister to urge him to recognise the vital role craft and yarn shops provide supporting mental health and well-being to the country and citizens and designate them as essential retail.
The UK’s yarn shops need your help at this time of crisis, just as they needed the government’s help back in 1940 when our organisation was first established.
During lockdown millions of people have turned to craft. This was not just to keep themselves creatively occupied but also most significantly to support their mental health in times of extreme loneliness and isolation.
We are calling on the public to urge the Prime Minister to recognise the vital role yarn shops play in supporting people through these difficult times. In any new or local lockdown, we are asking him to consider designating art, craft and yarn shops as essential retail in the same way as bike shops and hardware stores, as a further initiative to safeguard the mental health of our population.
On behalf of all craft shops in the UK, please click here to read and sign this petition and share it with your friends.