Re-opening update...

Firstly, just to confirm Lark doesn't really fit into any Government categories, but I closed in line with public spaces like theatres and cinemas closing as I felt a workshop where you sit next to someone for 2 hours relates most to that, but I also keep an eye on the info for restaurants as I've noticed some of the craft companies I follow in England are using those dates. Those companies have started to issue their responses to re-opening their spaces, and to be honest, the info has totally freaked me out, they are mostly big teams and have come up with amazing daily deep clean promises, some have changed their furniture to individual school like desks, most are offering a unique set of tools for each workshop and one has set up a fancy LCD TV screens to display the teacher demonstration. Eek!

As you may know I am the only full time person for Lark, I have some great tutors and I planned to hire someone just as lockdown started and I hope she can start her role soon after I open but for now I would struggle to make similar promises and changes to my little studio so my thought is to wait until September when I'm hoping the stats have improved & that everyone has taken some time to enjoy the summer and is feeling less anxious about going out as Lark workshops are centred on people 'having a lark' so I wouldn't want the atmosphere to feel unsettling in any way. 

I also did plan to close in August before all this, as last year it was my quietest month, who knows if this year would be the same but I imagine a lot of you who are able to go away and and wish to visit family & friends are itching to escape. I also personally have a lot of family over the 5 mile travel restriction so I'm excited to take some trips with Gwen, my new dog, who loves an adventure almost as much as she loves a nap! 

Finally, I have currently converted my studio into a shop, I don't have space to have both a studio and a shop so I like that for now I am able to provide you with resources to keep you crafting independently. 

So, with all this is mind, I think a date of 1st September for a 'soft re-launch' works well. I'll offer 5 or 6 workshops a week so I will have time to clean in between each workshop, I will keep numbers to 4 attendees so we can distance and I will find a way to safely serve teas and coffees as that's a craft time essential ;-) I will also change my T&C's so anyone who is showing any symptoms can easily reschedule to a later date. 

Unfortunately Craft Night will probably have to stop for the rest of the year as its main advantage is that it is a 'drop in' session for some chilled craft time, I've had as few as 2 people turn up and as many as 21!! I'll probably have to also keep that evening free to offer workshops as I have a lot of rescheduled customers that are ready to re book the class they missed and Thursday is often a good night for people to attend.  

Gift voucher holders - As soon as I've decided on a re-opening date I will extend gift vouchers to allow you time to book the course you want. They are really easy to use as you just type in the code when booking, if the course costs more that your code value then it will ask for Paypal/credit card for the difference or if the course is less expensive then the remainder credit can be used by entering the code for the next workshop you fancy. I will have to ask that you are patient as reduced numbers will mean workshops may book up quickly but I will ensure you get to use your credit. 

Finally, cancelled party bookings are encouraged to pick a new party date and we can review it nearer the time and possibly change it again if need be.

I think that covers everything but do get in touch if you have any questions, I look forward to safely crafting with you soon! Gem