Turners Retreat is proud to be celebrating 25 years in business. As the retail arm of Robert Sorby Ltd, Turners Retreat was established in May 1999 and has become one of the UK’s premier retail outlets in woodturning.
It based its ethos on delivering a quality customer service and experience whilst creating a “family” business feel for the customer.
When Turners Retreat began, its aim was emulating the No.1 retailer in woodturning in the UK, Craft Supplies.
The business was mainly in-store and telephone orders and an occasional consumer show in attendance with Robert Sorby Ltd. With the onset of online ordering, it soon had an additional revenue stream from the fledgling internet. The continued success of online across the globe has seen Turners Retreat continually develop its web presence and now accounts for a large proportion of its turnover.
With the ever-changing market and development, Turners Retreat expanded into attending consumer events independently, it introduced woodworking courses into its portfolio and now regularly has full bookings months in advance, as it offers its experience in educating its customers on how to get the best from their hobby.
In 2016, Turners Retreat took on the development of the already successful Peter Child Pyrography machine, with a slight re-design and the introduction on new tips it has seen the brand grow from strength to strength and is probably the premium Pyrography machine in the UK.
The drive and determination of the staff to make Turners Retreat a significant player in the UK woodturning market, proved so successful that in March 2013, Turners Retreat acquired Craft Supplies.
Since then, Turners Retreat has continued to grow with its customers, without whom it would not have been possible. That continued growth has given them the opportunity to celebrate 25 years with our customers in 2024 and host an Open Event in June.
As part of the celebration, Turners Retreat are producing 25 Limited Edition Six Piece Woodturning Sets and 25 Slim Parting Tools, all with handles made from Sherwood Forest Oak and blades by Robert Sorby.
