The crafts are an important part of our social and economic life with the Crafts Council Market for Craft report showing craft sales worth £3 billion to the UK economy.
We know the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on a sector dominated by micro enterprises and sole practitioners and the UK has now left the EU which has affected all businesses.
VAT update
From 1 July 2021, VAT rules on cross-border business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce activities will change. The rationale for these changes is to overcome the barriers to cross-border online sales and address challenges arising from the VAT regimes for distance sales of goods and for the importation of low value consignments. Please visit gov.uk and the European Commission website for advice.
Brexit
Visit our page on advice for UK-based makers and craft businesses.
Crafts Council support
We continue to be in direct and regular contact with relevant government departments and Arts Council England to ensure they are properly briefed on the craft sector situation.
At the end of 2020 we were asked to summarise the impact that Covid-19 and Brexit would have on the craft sector to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) – see summary here.
We have a number of new online business resources including films on the following topics;
Connect to us on all our social channels, follow our craft opportunities Facebook page and sign up to our regular maker newsletter.
Further resources
Covid re-opening
If you are welcoming in-person visitors back to your business or hosting a physical event, please follow our top tips for a safe re-opening:
- Generate your own QR code for visitors to scan on the Gov.uk website
- Have hand sanitiser at each point of entry
- Download a free sign to suit your needs or create a simple text design to print out and remind visitors to please wear a face mask and maintain social distancing.
- All visitors should wear a mask/visor in indoor spaces. Artists should wear one as well to protect themselves and others.