Independent makers thriving in close-knit business community

An award-winning Leeds store, which is home to 120 hand-picked independent makers, sells thousands of handmade products you can't find on the high street. And Mark, co-owner of Our Handmade Collective in Horsforth, took time out to tell the YEP all about what it represents and how it came to be set up in the first place

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You sell Yorkshire-inspired gifts (and more) but what does that entail day to day and what the, if you like, 'philosophy' behind the business?

"The majority of Our Handmade Collective's makers are based in Yorkshire, with a few favourites from further afield," explained Mark. We have the work of about 120 different makers. We try to keep it as Yorkshire based as possible. However, some of our makers do come elsewhere, but they're mainly Yorkshire based."

So, 'local' is important to you?

"To be involved in the local community is fantastic. A lot of our makers are actually from Horsforth. We've picked a lot up since we've been in the actual town itself. We do try to keep it as local as possible and we really enjoy being part of a community, especially in Horsforth itself."

Why Horsforth particularly?