Purrfect craft shop aiming to inject passion and variety into Leigh

After previously working in accountancy, Irene Goodhew decided to follow her passion and opened up 'Purrfect Crafting' along Elliott Street, in Tyldesley, with her partner Dave in 2017.

While the business attracted creatives and avid crafters, Irene and Dave said that footfall was "chronic" in the daytime, despite the improvements that have been made in terms of Tyldesley's Heritage Action Zone and night-time economy.

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Inside the Lord Street premises (Image: Leigh Journal)
Born and bred in Leigh, Irene said she initially wanted to open the shop in her hometown but could not find the right unit at the right price at the time.

However, as a unit came available on the Lord Street precinct earlier this year, tucked away from Bradshawgate, Irene and Dave felt it was the perfect fit and relaunched the new shop in late August.

The business also offers modelling boxes (Image: Leigh Journal)
Irene said: "Things were looking up in Tyldesley until covid. We managed as well as we could but after the last lockdown, it was absolutely dead.

"I wanted to open up in Leigh to begin with, and it feels like it is more of a place to shop here, whereas Tyldesley feels a bit more centred towards bars and cafes.

"We have had some of our customers follow us over to Leigh, and a lot of people have said some really nice things like 'this is just what the town needs'."

The shop's selection of quality wool (Image: Leigh Journal)
Passionate about their business, Irene and Dave hope they can add a bit of variety to the town centre by offering a mix of arts and craft products such as wool, paints, haberdashery, wreath-making, sewing equipment, modelling and much more.

The family also offers workshops and classes at their Lord Street premises for avid crafters and those looking to try something new.