The owners of a gallery and shop on the Sherwood high street have announced the closure of their business in a move they described as feeling like 'a bereavement'. A Room Full of Butterflies, which has been running for 10 years, will close its doors early in the New Year when the lease on the building comes to an end.
The gallery and shop, run by Jo Wood and Andy Welch, is located near Wilko and Coop, with the business offering unusual art, creative cards, glass art and gifts as well as a bespoke framing service.
In a statement online, the team behind the gallery said that it had been a difficult trading time amid the Covid pandemic restrictions but that it was ultimately the cost of living crisis and changes in consumer confidence that had been the final straw. However, the art and print business will remain online despite the physical store closure.
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A sign has been placed on the front of the shop that states that it is holding a closing down sale and 'everything must go'. It is unclear when the last day of trading will be but the sale is being held on Saturday, December 31, from 10am to 5pm.
The team wished their customers well for the new year and wrote in a post: "We also have some news. A Room Full of Butterflies gallery in Sherwood traded for the last Christmas ever at the weekend. After 10 years, the lease comes to an end early in 2023 and we will not be renewing it.
"The closure of the shop feels like a bereavement to us. The pandemic changed the landscape of our whole world, and retail. We survived it despite the landlord choosing to charge the full rent during the 50+ weeks when the government closed shops.
"We held on but then in March 2022 as war broke out in Ukraine with our European brothers and sisters, this set up - the cost of living crisis - affecting consumer confidence and we saw a sudden change in sales."
They shared that they loved meeting every single person who stepped in to chat, browse and be photographed in the shop. They added: "Our intention was always to bring colour and creativity to Sherwood, to lift spirits and help you adorn your homes and offices, give amazing presents and experience a great community buzz.
"Thank you to all the local creatives with food and in the arts who have been associated with us over the years. We love the shop and doing what we do but the time has come after 10 years to say goodbye to the retail model. Suffering these overheads is not good business practice in a recession and we have ourselves to take care of as well."
The company was founded by Mr Welch who had been working in the fashion and gift trade for many years before establishing A Room Full of Butterflies in 2012. He was also a fashion photographer who ran a shop called Spirit in Nottingham with his wife, Ms Wood, from 1994 to 2001.
Customers shared their sadness at the closure online and said that the unique shop would be missed.
