CRAVEN Stationery, in Coach Street, Skipton, plans to re-open on Monday June 15.

Richard Mashiter - who owns the shop with his wife Deborah and sister-in-law Hayley Smith - said the shop’s previous long hours every day left little scope for flexibility but the lockdown has given them the opportunity to re-open with their own version of what will be their ‘new normal’.

He said rather than taking ‘lockdown’ as an opportunity to have a well-earned rest, the owners of the local family business, which opened for the first time in 1991, have used their time to reshape their business, adapting it to modern shopping habits and a ‘new normal’ as people continue to live with Covid-19, and that the result is some exciting changes.

The business will continue to offer a retail shop counter service Monday-Saturday (excluding Tuesday) from 9am until 1pm when customers will be able to purchase stationery and have their photocopying, printing, scanning and other service requirements attended to.

Customers requiring more complex or time consuming service requirements will be invited to make an appointment. Physical changes to keep everyone safe despite the continued threat of Covid-19 have included moving the counter nearer to the door and installing a ‘sneeze guard’ and the provision of hand sanitizing gel for customers.

As customers will not be able to browse the shop in the usual way, a video tour of the shop has been put on the home page of its website: www.cravenstationery.co.uk.

Meanwhile, customers can choose from many different ways to purchase their stationery, from visiting the shop in person, telephoning (01756 795925), emailing info@cravenstationery.co.uk, or shopping online at www.cravenstationeryonline.co.uk.

The owners have designated their second showroom door (No. 24 Coach Street) as a ‘Collection Point’ to provide access for the collection of orders Monday-Friday (except Tuesday) 9am-4pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm, with minimum contact.

Richard said perhaps one of the most exciting changes to the service they will be offering has come out of their desire to look after customers in the limited ways available to them during lockdown. While the shop was closed, Richard added deliveries to private customers to his already existing business delivery service.

He said from speaking with customers it was clear that there will remain a demand for this service even with the shop re-opened, either because some of his customers want to continue to shield themselves or simply because they find it more convenient, and so this service will be continuing with a free daily doorstep delivery service to addresses in the BD23 postcode area, as well as surrounding areas including Bradley, Kildwick, Cononley and Addingham.

Richard, Deborah and Hayley say they are adamant that whatever changes they make to their business what will always remain is the pride they have in their dedication to good customer service and a well-stocked shop.