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The former Lloyds bank site in Five Oaks has been given a new lease of life by a local jewellery maker who has opened a multi-use craft market – and she's now on the hunt for fellow creatives.
The Crafty Centre opened its doors last month and is a new venture by Caroline Volante, a jewellery maker and owner of Caroline’s Creations.
The Crafter's Centre is a multi-use market where Ms Volante rents out spaces to various creatives who want to sell their products.
Pictured: The building on Bagatelle Road was formerly home to Lloyds Bank, which shut its doors in late 2022.
Ms Volante, who worked at the former Lloyds Bank for over two decades, previously had her own premises on Bagatelle Parade. However, she found that a lack of outside parking and accessibility limited footfall in what is a predominantly residential area.
“It was just a bit crazy. It was getting to the stage where I wouldn't see anybody after two o'clock because all the guys that lived around were parked outside,” she explained.
With the bigger business home to its own customer parking, Caroline hopes more customers will be drawn to The Crafter's Centre.
Pictured: Caroline Volante owns Caroline's Jewellery Creations
“I’d made the decision to look for somewhere else whilst I was at Bagatelle Parade, because of parking and because people just couldn't stop – especially if it was raining – as they wouldn't go across the road and park,” Ms Volante said.
“The bank was sad to walk past – seeing it not being used – and it was too good an opportunity not to take.”
Customers will notice similar features from the banking hall in The Crafty Centre, with the former interview rooms still intact, where Ms Volante hopes to hold craft classes in the near future.
Pictured: The former banking hall looks mostly the same at The Crafter's Centre
“I've had really positive feedback on the premises,” Ms Volante said of her first month in business.
Pleased to have given the building a new lease of life, she hopes this business will fill a gap in the market for creatives who she said were lacking permanent spaces to sell their products on the island.
“I think anything over here to give creative people somewhere to go is great, because we are lacking in places.”
Ria Monamy-Gray, perfume maker and owner of Jersey Girl Scents, is the only other tenant, leaving two other spaces available for local crafters to lease.
Pictured: Jersey GIrl Scents sells home-made scents and wax melts at The Crafter's Centre
Looking for other crafters to join her, Caroline hopes to fill the building with different locally made products.
“I don't want to duplicate what we already have. So, a woodworker would be nice, or a leather worker. I spoke to somebody who does acrylic memorials, so it could be anything!"
The Crafter's Centre is open Monday to Friday 09:30 to 16:00 and Saturday 09:30 to 13:00.
Interested crafters can contact Caroline on The Crafty Centre’s Facebook page.
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