About the Craft Co-operative
Formed in 1978 for the benefit of local crafts people as an outlet for their work, the Craft Co-operative provides a showcase for the wider craft community in Orkney. The shop has diversified to include artisan products principally from Scotland while still retaining its Orcadian roots. The Workshop's own unique range of knitwear is only available from the shop.
There are currently over 400 members of the Co-operative. The majority are not producers but are local supporters of the Workshop. A management commitee drawn from members runs the Workshop and Loft Gallery. At our AGM this year the following were elected officers and management committee members for 2023-2024 :
- Chair: Sue Graves
- Vice Chair: Helen Butcher
- Secretary: vacant
- Treasurer: Angela Taylor, Susan Reeves
- Shop Manager: Jill Strutt
- Committee Members: Lynda Bradford, Kathleen Carse, Heather Croy, Iulia Viorela Fisher, Caroline Lawrence, Susan Reeves, Jill Strutt (Ex officio).
To become a member please contact the Workshop or any one of the management committee. The cost of membership is a one-off payment of £10 and this entitles you to various discounts throughout the year. Members are welcome to become more involved in the Co-operative, for example through helping in the shop, coming to general meetings, sharing ideas for how the Co-operative might develop or what the Workshop could stock. If you are interested, please get in touch to let us know. You can telephone 01856 831587, email info@workshopandloftgallery.co.uk, call into the shop, contact us via the Contact Us page on this website or speak to any of the Committee members
If you are a local craft producer and would like to know how your work can be considered for selling in the Workshop, please telephone 01856 831587 or email us at info@workshopandloftgallery.co.uk
The Workshop & Loft Gallery Management Committee are delighted to consider prospective new goods which fit in with our look and ethos, on a sale or return basis.
We would ask you to tell us the recommended RRP and what payment you would require for each article.
The committee will then make a decision on whether we can stock your work and will let you know as soon as possible.
Please understand we cannot give individual feedback on this committee decision.