Coming to a major department store near you.

Just read an article in the DM to say there has been a stay of execution, for the time being, on Haberdashery. ?

I don't have a big store :-)

So many departed departments
Haberdashery going what next? They're not really proper department stores really any more. Lots of clothes and make up but fewer quirky interesting departments.

I love our JL haberdashery dept and I can't sew, knit or do anything remotely clever.

We only have a small John Lewis here, but I know a lot of people who rely on its haberdashery department, including me, for craft, sewing and knitting materials. With the resurgence in interest in knitting and sewing, I can't understand the thinking behind it. Prosecco? No thanks, for the same reasons as NanKate. Bikini waxing!!! .

Oh dear, did she ever work at M&S?

Oh no I always meet my friend in haberdadhery in Cambridge JL!

What a dreadful idea! JL is one of the few places, in some towns, to get habidashery of any quality.
Our JL has an area wher they sell expensive pens. It seem to take up a fair bit of space and I've never seen anyone buying there. Maybe that could go instead.

Also, a lot of people drive into JL, so encouraging them to drink is not a good idea!

John Lewis says it's not true that they're planning to close their haberdashery departments. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37908223

I suppose if they were to offer bikini waxing, the prosecco would take the edge off the pain.

There are no plans to do away with Haberdashery departments in John Lewis stores. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37908223

Posts Xed, SueD!

To be honest while it would be a shame to see the department go , I can't say it would be much of a loss. They have pared it down over several years. In our local store you cannot buy just a metre of ribbon but have to buy it on a reel. There are many places that I prefer to buy craft items.

If I go into John Lewis I always go into the Haberdashery.
The only thing I bought last time were a knitting pattern and some unusual buttons - I couldn't find any I liked anywhere else, but they often have a helpful knitting specialist in there too. And it is right near the restaurant anyway, so I go into there afterwards instead of finding somewhere else to eat.

Please don't shut down the Haberdashery!
I don't want Prosecco when I'm going to drive and have never been brave enough to have a bikini wax

Oh dear, did she ever work at M&S?
Lona I think she started her working life in the JL Haberdashery Department, perhaps she had a horrible department head and developed an aversion to haberdashery!

anno and SueDonim I should have read your posts first

Although give her a couple of years after all the hoo-haa has died down

Happily for me , we have a superb haberdashers in a local market town, been there at least 40 years, only takes cash and staff add up what you buy on bits of old card, then ring it up on an old fashioned till.No receipts.

If Monica or Boheminan come onto this thread, they will know this place well.

I got an email from John Lewis assuring me haberdashery was staying.

I'm impressed Nanaa that you and John are on emailing terms.

That's a relief, that John Lewis are keeping the haberdashery department. One of the real positives about going into JL hab/knitting department, is that the assistants know what they're talking about. So different than going to Hobby Craft for example, where there are so few staff around, none of whom know the first thing about knitting, sewing etc.

I have no idea where my nearest JL is !
The nearest big store is 25 miles

I have been all too aware of the decline of the Haberdashery department of our local (extended) JL although still staffed by lovely ladies, but with much less choice in knitting wools, "notions" and dressmaking fabrics.
Luckily a Spanish lady called Ana opened a wonderful Aladdin's cave called The Wool Shop near us with Knit n Natter, Knitting and Language groups, tuition in knitting or crochet, an amazing range of yarns of all hues, including many "exotic" labels I never knew before AND a wonderful range of buttons etc.
Not allowed to do advertising on GN but if you live in any of the MK postcodes and want to PM me I can give you more details.

There is a company called Abakhan Fabrics who do massive end end of roll fabric of all sorts, knitting and craft stuff and lot's of good haberdashery stuff. Unfortunately they only operate in the bigger Northwest cities. (around Manchester) where there is is a big Asian population. It is the first place of call and only place nearby worth trying.

Nelliemoser
Abakhan's flagship store is in Mostyn in Flintshire, where the family started the business as rug weavers many years ago.
They also now have stores in Manchester, Liverpool, Birkenhead, Bolton, Chester, Hanley and Preston.
I often spend a day at the Mostyn store, their restaurant there is pretty good too!