Bugweed’s craft shop in Clifton Moor up for major award

Those are the words of Rebecca Butler, director of Bugweed’s, a craft shop in Clifton Moor.

Listed among the largest independent handcraft shops in the north, Bugweed’s stocks a vast array of yarns, quilting cottons, haberdashery and sewing machines.

Recommended reading:

Rebecca said: “We have more than 4,000 square feet of retail space, with planning permission to add a second floor.”

Rebecca Butler opened up Bugweeds’ current retail space in 2025 (Image: Bugweed’s)

She added: “This enables us to carry a large variety of garment-making fabrics and equipment across every price point, as well as entire collections of significant ranges.

“We have highly-skilled staff, that cover all the main hobbies for which we cater, and so if a particular member of staff cannot answer a customer’s technical query, they know where to turn for someone who can.

“Many of our customers have become friends and we have become a safe place for them. 

“Reading the quality of the feedback from our recent success as By Annie’s UK winner of Favourite Local Quilt Shop is humbling and a testament to the environment we strive to create.

“Whether it’s people feeling a bit lonely and wanting to just come and sit on the sofas to knit, or people getting a cancer diagnosis and knowing they will get a hug and a cup of tea, we are so much more than a shop to so many of our community.”

The Bugweed team (Image: Bugweed’s)

Bugweed’s is run as a small family business, with four permanent staff members.

Its Clifton Moor venue was established in January 2025 when Rebecca and her team combined Bugweed’s four existing units at a nearby industrial estate.

It has a sister company Bugweek’s Limited, which runs crafting events and classes.

Rebecca explained: “There are some staples that are always well attended, such as our knit and natters on a Tuesday afternoon and Thursday evening, beginners knitting and beginners crochet, as well as our block of the month class for quilters.

“But the majority of our classes are prepared in response to our community.”

“We want to be kind, to walk gently through the world, to add more to our community than we take and to support people wherever we can.” (Image: Bugweed’s)

Indeed, two of Bugweed’s employees, who join the team on Saturdays, introduced a knit and natter for their teenage peers.

They have brought together crafty teens from across the city – who have bonded over their shared interests.

‘I think our values played a key part’

Rebecca said: “We want to be kind, to walk gently through the world, to add more to our community than we take and to support people wherever we can. 

“I think our values have played a key part in creating the vibrant, supportive and inclusive community with which we are blessed.

“From a strictly business perspective, we strive to offer quality products at a fair price whilst delivering first-rate customer service. 

“I’d like to think we do this – and the inclusive and generous community in which we sit is, in part, a testament to that.”

Bugweed’s has been selected by readers of The Press as a finalist in the Best Independent Retailer in York competition.

Readers are now welcome to vote for their winner by filling out a voting slips attached to each edition of the paper until Thursday (May 14).