AN ART and craft store which was due to close is being kept open after a petition of more than 100 signatures was handed to the store's head office.

Craft Central in Hawley Garden Centre, Hawley Road, Dartford, was set to shut on July 27 because of poor sales and the economic slowdown.

The closure would have made the four staff members redundant, so the store supervisor, Nikki Tracy, and shop assistant Cheryl Dedman, decided to set up a petition to keep it open.

Both staff members have worked at the store since it opened last October.

The petition was set-up in the store on July 8 and after three weeks it had been signed by around 120 regular customers.

Mrs Tracy, aged 39, of Bennett Way, Dartford, said "It's lovely to know we are staying open because we both have families and have worked very hard to get the petition together."

The results were sent to the head office in Manchester on July 25 and as a result the workers were told that the decision had been reversed.

Mrs Dedman, aged 39 of Hawley Road, Dartford, said: "We are over the moon it is absolutely fantastic. We rang everyone who signed the petition to thank them and let them know."

The store, which also offers craft classes and demonstrations, will stay open until Christmas when the decision will be reviewed once again.

Although it is being kept open, one staff member has been made redundant and the opening hours have been reduced.

The hours have changed from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday, to 10am to 4pm. On Saturdays the shop will be open between 9am and 5pm instead of closing at 5.30pm.

And on Sunday it will be open 11am until 4pm instead of 10.30am until 4.30pm.

Craft Central managing director, Dan King said: "Our business revolves around the enthusiasm of our staff for craft. So for the first time ever I agreed to delay the closure to see if things get better. Let's hope they do, it really is a lovely store with great staff."

Craft Central Ltd is a national chain of arts and craft shops and there are around 45 stores across the country.