The Clevedon Craft Centre in Somerset, a haven for heritage crafts and artisanal skills, is now facing a significant threat of being engulfed by the rise of warehouses, distribution centers, and a proposed new motorway exit. Established over 50 years ago by silversmith Jeffrey Bright and David Stear, the center has been a hub for artisans and craftspeople, drawing customers from around the world.
The center houses a variety of artisans, from traditional Celtic jewelry makers to modern craftsmen like Mandy Webb, who introduced the Dutch hobby of MosaiCraft to the UK. The threat of encroaching development could spell the end of this historic hub for artisans, with fears of demolition to make way for a new motorway exit.
The potential development plans have raised concerns among the artisans and artists, with fears that the unique heritage and artistry nurtured at the center could be lost forever. Not only does the craft center provide a platform for traditional crafts like hand leatherworking and bespoke jewelry making, but it also supports contemporary art forms like Mosaics.
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This threat of development has sparked worry among the artists and artisans who fear the destruction of their haven for creativity and the loss of a vital link to heritage crafts. The prospect of being encircled by distribution centers and warehouses poses a serious threat to the continuation of the craft center’s legacy.
The public consultation on the proposed local plan has closed, and the fate of Clevedon Craft Centre now hangs in the balance.