A NEW shop and café which hopes to become a hub for York’s creative community, has opened in Shambles.

The Flax & Twine, which sells homewares, vintage finds and crafts, will hold arts and craft workshops, and provide a creative space for people to network in its café and private function room, said Katie Pask, who has opened the business with Maureen Watterson, a former colleague at City of York Council.

Katie, who already runs her own business supplying vintage china for tea parties, said she and Maureen, had always wanted their own shop.

Working in the communities and cultures team at the council, she said, they got to know a lot of creative people and saw the need for a place for freelancers to come together.

The shop’s creative space will be open on Mondays for people who work from home or who don’t have a base to get together and network with other like-minded freelancers.

They are also talking to artists and craft makers throughout the city about displaying their work in the premises, to help build the profile of local artists.

Katie said: “We’re incredibly excited about welcoming people to our beautiful shop on one of the most widely recognised and fascinating streets in the country. We’re especially looking forward to welcoming lots of local people to The Flax & Twine and making everyone feel welcome.”

The business has been named The Flax & Twine after the building, which dates back to the 1740s, was occupied by two families who made flax and twine until the 1960s. It employs three part-time staff.

Katie said: “There are so many creative people in York and we’ll be organising lots of arts and crafts workshops over the coming months to inspire people to try something new.”

They also intend to encourage local residents to shop in Shambles by giving residents with a York Card a ten per cent weekday discount in the café.

The first workshop will be Crochet For Beginners, on July 1 at 10am.