In the space provided below, please insert a general account of the company’s activities in the financial year to which the report relates, including a description of how they have benefited the community. The company has provided a gallery style shop and workshop space that has been very well received by local residents and artists since it opened in March 2024. During the financial year 2024-2025, it has benefitted the local community in the following ways: It has provided an opportunity for 26 artists and crafts people to display and sell their work locally and to provide affordable arts and crafts workshops to local residents and residents of the surrounding area. This has meant that opportunities to create and learn new skills has been available for people in the local area, without them having to travel longer distances to bigger cities. The company has also been able to provide mentoring to younger artists, enabling them to discuss with professionals the possibilities of education and career progression. Working with the local community and businesses has proved particularly successful, providing aid to local events and festivals and artistic aid to local hospice charity shops.

The company’s stakeholders are residents of and visitors to Egham Artisans, and local artists/crafts people in the surrounding area. The directors of the company have lived in the local area for a number of years and developed the business model for the shop based on their experience of talking to other residents. We have a visitor book that has been actively used since opening, encouraging visitors to provide feedback on the shop and workshops. Feedback states that it has given the community a creative hub and a meeting point to enjoy art and creativity, which has been beneficial to well-being. It has become a popular destination for browsing for locals living in retirement homes and encouraging a wide age range to enjoy the arts. Artists that display have stated the following: ‘I no longer need to travel around, which is tricky with small children.’ ‘I have been able to reach a wider audience’. ‘The company has given me the opportunity to learn so many new skills and I feel braver to make and try new products.’ ‘Being in Egham has definitely improved my local business. Before, I didn’t have anywhere local to sell- now I can say to people that they can see my whole display locally.’ ‘Being part of Egham Artisans has been a game-changer for my small business. It’s given me a real presence on the local high street and the chance to connect directly with local people. The shop has given me the space to experiment, gather valuable feedback and most importantly, grow in confidence- both in myself and what I create. It has been a truly inspiring and supportive environment.’ ‘I have worked since lockdown on my own and as a result have become quite introverted, finding my old skills of dealing with the public disappearing. The shop has allowed me to get back out there, proved me with an opportunity to chat to strangers and boosted my self esteem and confidence. I’m incredibly grateful for this. I can see through being in the shop, how much it gives to the local community, often elderly people who just come in for a lovely chat.’ ‘The company has become a focal point in the art street, providing access to the arts for people that would have to travel a considerable distance without it.’

The aggregate amount of emoluments paid to or receivable by directors in respect of qualifying services was £17,910. There were no other transactions or arrangements in connection with the remuneration of directors, or compensation for director’s loss of office, which require to be disclosed

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration