On Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December, visitors to Stratford-upon-Avon are invited to join the home of William Shakespeare and over 2,000 cultural venues worldwide in celebrating the shops that support arts, cultural and heritage attractions.
Move over Black Friday, on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December, the Shakespeare Birthplace Shop is inviting customers to enjoy an immersive retail experience as part of Museum Shop Sunday. In celebration of the annual event, the team at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (SBT) will be displaying beautiful items from its extensive collection in store and will be sharing the inspirations behind some of its bestselling gifts and new ranges.
Now in its eighth year, Museum Shop Sunday is supported by the Association for Cultural Enterprises and encourages members of the public to shop with a purpose and experience inspirational gifts offered by cultural organisations across the UK, whilst supporting their local heritage site.
‘’We’re thrilled to be joining organisations worldwide in celebrating Museum Shop Sunday. This is a wonderful way for us all to celebrate the special role our shops play in contributing towards the success of our much-loved heritage organisations, as well as supporting small, independent businesses.
‘’Our special event is a great opportunity for visitors to discover exclusive, affordable gifts in our Birthplace Shop and Bookshop, learn about the stories behind our team’s favourite products and support independent and local retailers.’’
Commented Louisa Stott, Head of Commercial at the SBT.
Visitors to the iconic shop on Henley Street are in for a treat as they can explore a range of distinctive gifts, cards, and decorations perfect for Shakespeare enthusiasts or anyone seeking a one-of-a-kind present for a loved one.
During their visit, guests have the unique opportunity to browse, explore collection items that inspired the artists and makers, and get advice from SBT’s retail team, who will be on hand to answer any questions.
What’s on Offer
New for this year is an exclusive range inspired by award-winning artist Emily Sutton’s sumptuous illustrations for the Children’s Folio. The new collection features Emily’s stunning colour portrait of Mr William Shakespeare, inspired by the Droeshout engraving of Shakespeare from the First Folio published in 1623, and her exquisite design for the endpapers, based on Elizabethan blackwork embroidery in the SBT’s collection.
During the Museum Shop Sunday event, visitors can see some of Emily’s original artworks for the Children’s Folio in person and learn all about what inspired her when creating the stunning illustrations.
Other unique gifts include an exclusive jewellery collection by award-winning designer, Sara Preisler, which draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s Birthplace and decorative Tudor motifs, and a new range of stationery and homeware inspired by an unfinished embroidered cap in the SBT collection, recently exhibited at Shakespeare’s New Place.
‘’From the latest addition to our Shakespeare Gin range to bespoke pieces of jewellery crafted by a local maker, and now the collection celebrating Emily Sutton’s work, all inspired by Shakespeare’s work, life and times, we’re offering gifts that can’t be found anywhere else.
‘’Not only will you be buying something special for a loved one, but every purchase from our shop also supports the vital care of Shakespeare’s family homes and our collections. So come and join us in celebrating Museum Shop Sunday.’’
Louisa Stott continued.
Museum Shop Sunday at the Birthplace Shop will take place on Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December from 10am to 4pm and is free of charge. For more information, visit https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit/whats-on/museum-shop-sunday/.