Sew Ab Fab on Mill Street has announced that it will be closing this December.

The craft shop and school based in the heart of Oakham's shopping hub will be closing on 23 December.

Owner and crafter, Caroline Beacon, has run her own craft shop and school since 2013, when she launched her first haberdashery in Hampshire.

After relocating to Rutland and suffering ill health, she finally took the plunge and reignited her passion, reopening the doors to her business in Rutland in May 2022.

As such, Sew Ab Fab was born.

The business has taught locals to sew, felt and enjoy other fabric crafts, as well as providing fabrics, sewing patterns and a hub for local creatives.

In another blow to the local high street - following the loss of local and chain stores, including Wilko, Rutland Refill, Colemans and other stores and cafés - Sew Ab Fab will be closing down in December.

Caroline Beacon, who runs the craft shop and school, said: "After careful consideration and due to the ongoing challenges brought about by the cost of living crisis and its impact on our business, we have made the difficult decision to close our shop and craft school. This decision was not made lightly, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support over the past 2 years.

"Our journey at Sew Ab Fab has been filled with cherished memories and wonderful connections. We have had the pleasure of serving our community and building relationships with each and every one of you.

"As a token of our appreciation, we are offering special discounts and promotions during our closing sale, which begins this Saturday, 21 October. This is your opportunity to take home some of your favourite fabrics, patterns and haberdashery at reduced prices and fixtures and fittings will also be available. We invite you to visit us during this time to say goodbye and take advantage of these offers.

"We would like to reassure you that all classes timetabled up to 23 December and events including our Craft With Us At The Movies, will be going ahead as planned and we are very much looking forward to them. There are still places available on our fab classes and would love all classes up until closing to be full so please take the opportunity to book on before it is too late.

"Our official closing date is set for Saturday 23 December, and until then, we will continue to provide the same level of service and quality products and classes you've come to expect. We encourage you to redeem any gift cards you may have with us before our closing date.

"We want to thank you once more for being a part of the Sew Ab Fab family. Your support has meant the world to us, and we will always cherish the memories and relationships we've built.

"Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this transitional period. It has been an honour serving you, and we look forward to seeing you before we bid farewell."

There is still time to pop in to Sew Ab Fab and to bid Caroline a fond farewell, so find her at:

1 Mill Street

Oakham

Rutland

LE15 6EA