Rasen area grandma inspired to create own business

Walesby woman Ann-Marie Whitaker (59) regularly looks after her three-year-old granddaughter, Imogen.

The pair enjoy doing a range of activities together, as well as getting out and about.

However, it wasn’t long before all the local options had been exhausted, so Ann-Marie decided to take action.

“A lot of places you can go to more than once, but there comes a time when you need to look for something different to do, but there just wasn’t anything,” said Ann-Marie.

“Imogen loves doing arts and craft; we often get things out to do at home, but there wasn’t anywhere for us to go and do that socially.

“How many other people were thinking the same thing? I thought there was a real gap in the market.”

Ann-Marie looked into what she could do and discovered The Creation Station, a craft-based franchise.

She looked into setting up her own franchise and is now running events in Market Rasen and the surrounding area.

She said: “I never thought I would get to 59 and be starting up my own business - but I am really enjoying it and people have been very responsive.

“It isn’t just for pre-school children; I am looking to work with schools, as there are lots of after-school clubs for sport, but not much for craft.

“You can see children grow in confidence when you get the paints out, so it is an important thing to encourage.”

Ann-Marie is holding her first two open events leading up to Easter - at Walesby Village Hall on April 6 and at the Festival Hall in Market Rasen on April 11.

Tickets are available through the Creation Station Market Rasen Facebook Page.

“I have had a lot of interest in adult classes too,” added Anne-Marie, who has evenings planned at the Settlement in Caistor and the Advocate Arms in Market Rasen.

“The idea is to come along for a couple of hours, relax over some Prosecco and make something. Why should the children have all the fun!”