The country's largest arts and crafts retailer is celebrating the grand opening of its new store at a south Essex retail park.

Hobbycraft has thrown open its doors at Lakeside Retail Park, in West Thurrock, with a special grand opening event at the weekend which saw goody bags handed out to the first 100 customers, alongside a host of crafting activities and product offers.

The large shop officially opened on Wednesday September 13 while the opening event took place three days later with the ribbon being cut by Thurrock mayor Susan Little.

Echo: Store manager Gina Ford at the grand opening eventStore manager Gina Ford at the grand opening event (Image: Phil Jones Photography)

Hobbycraft Lakeside created 12 new jobs in the area. 

New store manager, Gina Ford, commented: “Our amazing store is packed with crafting materials to suit all ages and abilities, and beginners through to experienced crafters are all welcome to pop into the store and chat to our creative colleagues.

“They’re always happy to share their knowledge, tips and tricks.”

Echo: Emma, one of the new hires, speaks to a shopper at the opening eventEmma, one of the new hires, speaks to a shopper at the opening event (Image: Phil Jones Photography)

Customers can enjoy a range of experiences and dedicated craft spaces at the new store including craft workshops throughout the year, a digital cutting area, and a haberdashery area.

It also offers offers customers the retailers’ extensive range of crafting products from art, baking, home craft, papercraft, knitting, sewing, kids’ crafts and model making to accessories for celebrations.

Echo: Some of the first shoppers at the grand opening of the new storeSome of the first shoppers at the grand opening of the new store (Image: Phil Jones Photography)

The Lakeside store will also be hosting a free decopatch workshop on Saturday (September 23), in which customers can create their very own decoupage animal to take home with them. It will also host a free digital cutting demonstration with cricut on Saturday September 30, in which customers can learn new digital cutting techniques from a cricut expert.

Echo: Kim speaks to another shopper at the eventKim speaks to another shopper at the event (Image: Phil Jones Photography)

Both sessions will be running throughout 9am and 1pm.

For more information visit the new Hobbycraft at Lakeside Retail Park from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. Or visit the website at hobbycraft.co.uk.

Echo: Shoppers wait outside for the grand openingShoppers wait outside for the grand opening (Image: Phil Jones Photography)