A NEW shop selling Pembrokeshire-made arts and crafts has opened on Haverfordwest’s High Street.

SPARK is run by a cooperative of artists and craftspeople, and any local creative is welcome to join. In exchange for the shop stocking their goods, SPARKies pay just £1 a day, plus 10% commission on sales, and commit to spending two days a month manning the shop. If members can’t cover two days, they will pay 25% commission.

“Just for December, we are letting people who aren’t members sell from the shop on a 30% commission, so we can offer a good range for Christmas,” said up-cycler and photographer Angie Newman. “ We’re hoping more people will join SPARK now we are up and running.”

The shop is a great opportunity for sole traders to showcase their wares right in the heart of a town.

“None of us could afford to have a premises on our own, but together we can do this!” Angie enthused. “When people with similar ways of thinking get together, it’s amazing what can be achieved. To have the opportunity to sell your stuff is fantastic. To me sustainability is very important, so being able to keep the shop going is great.”

SPARK’s landlord, John Nicholas, has shown the group great support and has given the cooperative one month’s free rent.

“It’s expensive to be in the High Street as a single trader,” he said. “Hopefully SPARK will set an example about how it can be done, collectively. If they can share and reduce the costs, they have got a good chance of doing some good trading.”

AM for Preseli Pembrokeshire Paul Davies turned up to SPARK’s opening and couldn’t resist buying a wooden reindeer.

“It’s very important to support new businesses and I think it’s essential that money stays in the local economy,” he said. “This shop ensures that. It’s also great to see products made from recycled materials.”

Jewellery maker and SPARKie Penny Readwin was full of praise for the venture.

“Joining works out less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day,” she said. “Most craft fairs charge between £15 and £25 a table for about 6 hours, so for £30 a month this is a real bargain for artists and craftspeople.”

SPARK is looking for local businesses to sponsor the shop’s display plinths. For more information on joining or sponsoring the cooperative, pop in to the shop (44 High Street) or e-mail sparkhaverfordwest@gmail.com