Nobody likes to lose a client under any circumstances but the closure of Wychwood Preschool is one that is particularly close to my heart. And not just because I love the work.
Wychwood Preschool was established 50 years ago this year and sadly announced it's closure before the Easter break. A local institution and huge part of the community, it's loss will genuinely be felt for generations to come. It's hard to meet someone in this village who didn't go there and the chances are if you still live locally you and your children all went there.
This is a double whammy for me... they're not just my favourite client of all time but my mum ran it for the last 10 years.
Imagine designing posters and banners in primary colours, client visits where you end up digging up worms in the garden and the pride when your brochure design gets picked by printed.com to use in their favourite pieces blog. Now imagine you're a working mum faced with redundancy at 60 years old (sorry mum!).
Small businesses and charities are the lifeblood of our global economy with locally owned businesses circulating three times more money back into the local economies and (particularly in rural areas) are built on local relationships and fostering trust in our communities. As a small business struggling to survive in a climate where charities in their 50th year can close down within months, it's fair to say I'm shitting my (locally purchased) pants.
