Judith swops international banking for a wool shop

Photo: VINCENT BROWN

Business is brisk for Judith Akenhurst (front), pictured with members of her popular knitting groups

And, no, we’re not just spinning a yarn!

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FOUR years ago, Judith Akenhurst took a massive career change when she swopped the dealing rooms of the world’s foreign exchanges to buy a wool shop in Shaw.

Judith, from Littleborough, has always been keen on knitting but she would never have admitted as much during her time in the cut-throat world of international banking.

Looking back on four years of comparative serenity, she is contemplating further growth to the business she bought from the retiring owner, having invested substantially to move into her new, much larger premises.

At a time when many wool and haberdashery shops are gong to the wall, Judith’s business is expanding.

Her new Yarn Barn in Milnrow Road has twice the space of the previous, neighbouring store and has become something of a community centre.

Judith said: “The shop refit and move cost about £5,000 and my overheads have doubled. It may be a risk in these times but up to now everyone seems very happy with the new shop and there has been an increase in business.

“The move to larger premises has provided more space for the knitting groups and provide a nicer environment for customers to come and browse.

“I wanted to create an atmosphere that encouraged people to want to visit the shop, to see what was new, to be creative and get away from the stress and strain of everyday life.
“People pop in all the time, for a chat and browse. The longest anyone has stayed is 31/2 hours, but that’s okay. Good wool shops are few and far between and I hope the investment will prove worthwhile.”

Two, hugely successful knitting groups meet at the Yarn Barn on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

There are a 16 women in each group but Judith hopes to attract some male knitters. She said: “They support each other, offer ideas and have a great time knitting and drinking tea. We also do lots of knitting for charity.”

The Yarn Barn offers a huge range of wools in addition to the full range of accessories, from button and bows to metal and bamboo knitting needles.

Customers come from far and wide, including one Norwegian man who made a special journey on behalf of his wife to take back bundles of Rowan wool.

Judith explained: “Apparently she can’t get this wool in Norway so when her husband was working in England he was sent to my shop.”

She said knitting was enjoying a revival, with fashionable patterns and yarns ranging from bonus wools to luxury blends of cashmere and merino, so that all tastes and budgets were covered.

She adds: “Knitting is no longer done for thrift, and the stigma of ‘home-made because you can’t afford a shop-bought item’ has gone and now it is hand-made which has much more cachet.

“Also you get a better quality garment and the satisfaction of making it your self to your own measurements.

“Apparently knitting is the new yoga — it is a great stress reliever, even Hollywood stars are doing it, including Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow and Russell Crow! Julia Roberts is starring in a film next year called the ‘Friday Night Knitting Group’ based on a novel of the same name.”

Judith’s website, at www.yarnbarnshaw.co.uk, had attracted interest from all over the country and Judith regularly sends parcels of wool to all corners.