Minerva Crafts

We helped family-run Lancashire business Minerva Crafts get the funding they needed to expand their warehouse

Minerva Crafts is a family-run business in Lancashire, established in 1998 with the aim of becoming Europe’s number one online sewing, knitting, and crafts retailer.

They were looking for funding to improve their offering and expand.

Minerva Crafts customers expect the newest and best craft items on the market — but the business was being held back by a lack of warehouse space.

This lack of storage was leaving stock levels lower and the range smaller than they would have liked:

“Due to the great relationship we have with our suppliers everything we need is available to us. The issue that has been holding us back is warehouse space”

— Phil Ormerod, co-owner, Minerva Crafts

The family behind Minerva wanted to capitalise on their good existing relationships with suppliers, by expanding their warehouse to stock a wider range of items in bigger volume.

To do it, they needed business finance for the new racking equipment — which would have to be paid for before the uplift in revenue they predicted.

Funding Options was put in touch with Minerva Crafts, and things started well:

“Excellent first conversation, it made me feel like they might be able to do something for our business which was very positive. The person I spoke to was very helpful and explained the process in great detail.”

After such a positive start, the team at Minerva Crafts provided bank data and proof of identity and within only 7 days they had the money in their account.

With a bigger warehouse space, Minerva Crafts are stocking more sewing, knitting and craft items than ever — and keeping relationships strong with their suppliers and customers alike.