Crafty Claire reopens shop and cafe

The owner of a gift shop and cafe has been working hard alongside a team of volunteers to reopen her business.

The community has stepped up to help get Archie's Attic ready for opening, owner, Claire Thorne, Lynn Other and Gail Davis

Claire Thorne, 44, owns Archie's Attic Coffee Shop and Gifts in Enville, which has been open for five years.

Since the business was given the go ahead to reopen Claire has invested her time and money into ensuring it is a safe environment.

The community has stepped up to help get Archie's Attic ready for opening. Claire Thorne, Rosie Williams, Caleb Walton

She said: "I have fitted a perspex screen on the coffee shop counter, installed sanitiser stations, we have back to back socially distanced seating, I've moved part the shop upstairs too so we can space out the cafe even further.

"The two-metre rule was impossible for us, but now it is one-metre plus we can safely reopen. We are welcoming cyclists, walkers and are dog friendly."

"I have had a group of dedicated volunteers who all live in the village who have been helping me get ready.

DUDLEY COPYRIGHT EXPRESS AND STAR STEVE LEATH 17/07/2020..Could go Wolves too. Pics in Enville at 'Archies Attic', where the local community have stepped up to help get the shop/tea room ready for opening. At the front is owner: Claire Thorne. In a crafting room..

"I have been overwhelmed by their support, the fact that they are willing to give up their time to keep local businesses open is heart warming."

While her shop was closed, Claire volunteered her time as part of local coronavirus support group in Enville and Kinver, Kobra, a group of more than 144 volunteers who have been supporting vulnerable, elderly residents who have been isolating.

The community has stepped up to help get Archie's Attic ready for opening. Owner, Claire Thorne, Rosie Williams, Gail Davis, Pat Nabi, Caleb Walton and Lynn Other

Claire added: "My background was 26 years in the NHS working in admin, so I volunteered to be a call handler while the shop was closed and have been calling residents and checking up on how people are doing.

"We have been delivering groceries, take-aways from local businesses throughout lockdown, ensuring we support local businesses and keep them going.

The community has stepped up to help get Archie's Attic ready for opening, owner, Claire Thorne, Lynn Other, Pat Nabi, Gail Davis, Caleb Walton and Rosie Williams in the tea room

"Although it has been a dreadful time, it has shown we can all pull together in a crisis."

As well as homemade cakes, decor, gifts, clothes and accessories, Claire also offers a number of craft sessions, which she is hoping to fully resume by September.