First post in a while...I've been busy.
A few of us have been looking into jointly opening a workshop to produce some pieces for sale. The idea has kind of mushroomed into a full business plan that we have taken advice on and I would love it if the community here would give us some feedback...
The idea behind the workshop is to provide a small number of semi-professional makers with the space and tools to really make a go of things, but to help finance this through the provision of classes (run either by us or by outside tutors) and to try and give an inroads for the community to get into woodwork and furniture making. A secondary element to this is to offer a daily (or half-daily) bench space rental for the enthusiasts in the area to use a workshop that they have neither the space nor funds to have at home - providing large capacity saws, P/T's, spindle moulders etc. and the help and advice of some local professionals.
Our big stumbling block for now is whether there is going to be a market for this - will people go to classes (priced to compete with the likes of Axminster) and will people pay to spend a day using the workshop?
Any thoughts, comments and suggestions are welcome - I can't think of a better group to ask for this particular subject!!
A few of us have been looking into jointly opening a workshop to produce some pieces for sale. The idea has kind of mushroomed into a full business plan that we have taken advice on and I would love it if the community here would give us some feedback...
The idea behind the workshop is to provide a small number of semi-professional makers with the space and tools to really make a go of things, but to help finance this through the provision of classes (run either by us or by outside tutors) and to try and give an inroads for the community to get into woodwork and furniture making. A secondary element to this is to offer a daily (or half-daily) bench space rental for the enthusiasts in the area to use a workshop that they have neither the space nor funds to have at home - providing large capacity saws, P/T's, spindle moulders etc. and the help and advice of some local professionals.
Our big stumbling block for now is whether there is going to be a market for this - will people go to classes (priced to compete with the likes of Axminster) and will people pay to spend a day using the workshop?
Any thoughts, comments and suggestions are welcome - I can't think of a better group to ask for this particular subject!!