A knitting business that serves customers from across the world is celebrating 50 years.

Monica Hardman started Shoreham Knitting and Needlecraft in November 1972 from her home.

Four years later she opened her first shop which sold knitting machines and coned yarn.

In 1983 the business moved to a larger premises and the product range soon expanded into handknitting yarns. 

The Argus: Inside the shopInside the shop (Image: Monica Hardman)

In 1997, Ms Hardman launched an online knitting website known as English Yarns, which the businesswoman said “has continued to thrive” and is a valuable addition to her shop in Shoreham’s East Street.

The business bucked the trend during the Covid pandemic and custom increased “fivefold” thanks to the website.

Ms Hardman said it is amazing meeting customers for the first time face-to-face.

“All our staff are very keen knitters themselves and as a specialist shop, we receive visitors from all over the world,” she said.

“It is thrilling to meet customers for the first-time face to face - some who have been online customers for many years pay us a visit when they are in the UK.

“We export all over the world and during the lockdown when our shop was closed, we increased our business fivefold as people needed to occupy themselves whilst they stayed at home.”

The Argus: Monica in the 70sMonica in the 70s (Image: Monica Hardman)

Ms Hardman will be celebrating the major milestone with a special event at the store on November 26.

One of the company’s main suppliers Rowan Yarns will be attending the gathering, as well as employees past and present.

Shoreham Knitting and Needlecraft is Rowan Yarns’ oldest stockist in the UK and throughout the world.

The Argus: A team photo from the business' 40th anniversaryA team photo from the business' 40th anniversary (Image: Monica Hardman)

“Our main suppliers Rowan Yarns, who we have been dealing with since they opened in 1978, are coming down,” she said.

“And we’ll have a party for our employees, some of whom I’ve not seen for over 40 years.

Ms Hardman has also been invited to Buckingham Palace for a reception to recognise the contribution of small businesses to the economy.