Macclesfield: Cosy Wren thanks community following switch from high street to online

By Alex Greensmith 29th Jan 2024

Cosy Wren's last day of trading in the Grosvenor Centre was yesterday.
Cosy Wren's last day of trading in the Grosvenor Centre was yesterday.

An independent gift shop in Macclesfield have expressed their gratitude to Macclesfield, after they closed down their high street presence.

Cosy Wren have thanked the Macclesfield community following their last day of trading on Treacle Sunday.

The charming shop was located opposite The Coffeehouse in the Grosvenor Centre, and still is a home and giftware brand which sold handmade gifts by local makers and even the store owner herself.

Despite their closure yesterday, the business will transition into an online only business, but still sell a careful, curated selection of homely products.

You can continue to follow Linda's business on Instagram @cosy_wren, where she is almost at 1000 followers.

Cosy Wren began as a Treacle Market stall in 2015, before graduating to a permanent high street presence in the Grosvenor Centre in 2021. Linda McCullough is the friendly face behind the business.

"My speciality was making handmade cushions," said Linda.

"I sell lots of cushions covers as well, because people like to change them at Christmas. And from there, I started selling little bits of homeware from things for your garden to draught excluders.

"And because the shop was big, I invited other local makers to be able to stock their products in here with me. [From cute custom little houses made by a Macclesfield resident, to crochet items from a local young adult.]

Linda herself makes cushions, diffusers and doorstops, for the brand. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Many of the items Cosy Wren sold in-store (and will continue to sell on the web) have a countryside-feel, emphasised by the bird-inspired name.

Linda can also make lampshades and wax melts. She also has a fondness for Harris tweed, reflected by her stock range, and her husband is from Scotland.

Linda is taking a step back from the high street due to health reasons, but she would carry on with it if she could.

As you can see from the images below, wares for sale on her online shop include pheasant and forest-inspired cushions.

Items for sale on https://www.cosywren.co.uk

Her website will be updated with new stock, to complete her transition into an online only business. Linda will also continue to sell things she can make from home like her gorgeous scented candles.

Her candles were a welcome addition to the Grosvenor Centre, particularly as she opened not too far in the public memory after the shopping centre's Yankee Candle store shut down.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to each and every person that has cone into the shop, supported our business, bought a little gift, whatever the size, thank you very much for supporting us", proclaimed Linda.

"I would carry on forever if I could, I have loved coming here every day, but due to health issues I will be unable to carry on here. But I will be moving online.

"I do loads of posts every other day on Instagram, so you can keep up to date on there.

"If you are from Macclesfield and buy from the website, I personally deliver it myself so there is no postage.

When asked by Macclesfield Nub News as to why you should support an independent gift shop as opposed to a national chain or supermarket, Linda had this to say:

"It supports the local economy," said Linda.

Linda described running Cosy Wren as 'The best job' she's ever had. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

"Before I closed, I was a member of Totally Locally Macclesfield, and they do have statistics which go to show that 80% of the money goes back into the local economy, because I could go buy a sandwich across the road. And we all support each other, so as a result of doing that, the whole community benefits.

"I've noticed a big difference in the footfall, the number of events that the Town Council run, I've found out about shops that I did not know existed because of Totally Locally.

"And as a trader, I can't emphasise enough the benefits that the Treacle Market brings to Macclesfield. We opened our Grosvenor Centre shop on a Treacle Sunday only, and we noticed that it would be busier than any other day of the month.

"This is the best job I've ever had, I have loved it. Thank you to the people of Macclesfield for your support."

It is not yet known what will take the place of Cosy Wren's former Grosvenor Centre site, now that it has closed. (Image - Macclesfield Nub News)

Linda has also posted an extended, loving thanks on her social media.

Macclesfield: Go and give this next era of Cosy Wren some love on Facebook and Instagram.

     

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